Snake handlers. What a test of faith.
"they often include not only the handling of poisonous snakes (usually copperheads and rattlesnakes) in their services, but also handling fire and drinking water laced with strychnine, arsenic, or some other poisonous substance. Some of their churches even handle scorpions. Several investigations have concluded that many congregants do indeed ingest poisoned water."
Is there a congregation somewhere in America that performs religious services with circular saws and shaky ladders? Rushes into oncoming traffic. No? Then what in the hell are they doing with venomous snakes? At least try it with step stools and ladders first, work your way up.
LONDON, Ky. (AP) - A southeastern Kentucky woman was bitten by a snake during a church service and later died, a law enforcement officer said."
The death is really not funny, but it calls into question the logic behind this practice.
"Snake handling is based on a passage in the Bible, in the Gospel of Mark, that says a sign of a true believer is the power to "take up serpents" without being harmed."
Have they not read the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil, who asked him to jump off a cliff. Jesus responded with:
"It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
Matthew 4:7.
The strict, literal interpretation of these verses doesn't seem to be a good idea:
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"
Luke 10:19: "Behold, I give unto you the power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over the power of the enemy: and nothing by any means shall hurt you"How come the strict, literal interpretation of Matthew 4:7 is not adhered to? Can you say "Selective Interpretation?" It comes BEFORE these the verses this practice is based on. That's what you get for skipping ahead a few chapters. I imagine this church has the largest cemetery in town. I can see membership is a real problem.
The article goes on to say:
"Snake handling is a misdemeanor and punishable by a $50 to $100 fine."
Death is a far greater price than the fine isn't it? There are non-poisonous snakes which could be used, wouldn't this be a little easier to handle? Everybody is happy, except the snakes and the collection plate can be used to pay the occasional fines. Since a snake tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, why introduce a snake in church, since this is the source of their troubles?
The insane part is that the preacher, George W. Hensley, who revived it, did so because the Pentecostal Church stopped the practice of snake handling. You'd think they did this for a good reason. He left the church to form the "Holiness Movement" in the 1920's to continue it. He died on July 25, 1955, from a snake bite. Excuse me, but this appears to be a sign from heaven itself that something is amiss, especially when your leader dies this way.
My personal and general rules are as follows. I have found they work well. You are welcome to apply them to your lifestyle.
- If it has scales and fangs don't pick it up
- If it's smaller than me and has more hair than I do, leave it alone
- Literal interpretations of things that cannot be verified should be avoided
- When traveling, pee and get gas before crossing the Kentucky state line
Oh ye of little faith (and common sense)!
Update:
A snake has claimed another victim in Kentucky. The family claims the person died as a result of the hospital staff making derogatory statements about her religious beliefs. I think the snake did it.
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