Reptile & Amphibian Forums

what do all of you guys think of venomous snake handling churches?I personally think they are pretty dumb cuzz they use like almost all copperheads and I have been told that they have never killed anyone. anyway just wondering what your thoughts are on it.

Jason

Mark 16:17-18: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover"

Jason,

I am not a member of a Church that handles hot snakes, not do I advocate this practice.

For these people it is a matter of Faith. This is not just something they made up, It is in the Bible. They take that chapter and verse very literally. They handle hot snakes and they drink poison. I think everyone has different Faiths and Beliefs, I don't think its right for anyone to judge someone on them.

Just my opinion.

Mark

thats accually one of my favorite scriptures because it says I can do what I love witch is handle snakes and the Lord will protect me unless thats the way I'm suppose to go. and if that is the way I'm suppose to go so be it. But you(by you mean every God fearing person)need to use wisdom and not temp anything. witch is in Mattew 4:7 it says "Jusus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not temt the Lord thy God." but I'm not here to argue, so I hope you don't take it in that way.
have a good one

Jason

They're not for me, but I've always thought it would be interesting to visit one.

This topic reminded me of something that happened just recently.

Preacher dies after Easter bite by rattler
Associated Press/April 15, 2004

Jonesville, Va. -- A preach-er who refused medical treatment after a rattlesnake bit him during the serpent-handling part of an Easter service has died, authorities said.

The Rev. Dwayne Long, 45, of Rose Hill in far southwestern Virginia just across the state line from Kentucky's Harlan County, was holding a rattle-snake when it bit him on the back of a finger, Lee County Sheriff Gary Parsons said.

Parsons said the congregation prayed for Long, but no one sought medical treatment. Long died Monday at his home.

"We don't anticipate any charges at this time," Parsons said. "That's their belief."

Long was pastor of a Pentecostal church where members interpret serpent-handling as a form of obedience to God. Snake-handlers believe that when people die of a snakebite they receive during a church service, it was simply their time to go.

Long leaves a wife, five children and two grandchildren.

From the footage that I have seen it always seems that the snakes have been kept in cool temperatures and seem very lethargic.

K, so I don't want to get into a big religous discusion, but that bible is like, a thousand pages. Why concentrate on one line so you can die!?!
ps, I don't doubt that the snakes are treated poorly and are thus lethargic. I wonder if that preacher really is in heaven.

If these morons wanna believe that, let them. There is an overabundance of stupid people. They won't be missed when they're not "saved".

Anyone interested in the topic might want to seek out the book "Salvation on Sand Mountain" by Dennis Covington. Covers it completely and a fascinating read!