The phenomena you mentioned (speaking in tongues) is called Glossolalia, and yeah, it is essentially rhythmic mouth yapping with enough resemblance to other 'human utterances' to be misread as an actual language.
I was once part of a youth group and was strongly pressured to do that.
My inhibition was profound. At that moment I gave organized religion up. I am not religious, but do seem spiritual. Go figure.
Between that and being told who to hate and what platinum album was gonna send me to hell, it was enough.
I could have done it that day. Make up some stuff, or just let the vocalizations flow. But why?
I did find the others listening to garner meaning super interesting. There is a sort of resonance possible too. Speakers, or utterers more precisely, pick up common elements. The whole affair becomes sort of tribal.
Over time, all sorts of status, membership, meta basically, is inferred through many sessions.
