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Religious Snake Handlers
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by Snakeman1982 on January 23, 2003
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Wow! The last topic of this sort was certainly an interesting read, lol.
I just wanted to let anybody that didn't know from the original question that fizzbob7 wrote in the previous topic. "WHY?...does anyone know exactly why they do it...."
Mark O'Shea did a great but short documentary over this question in the episode "Nemesis" of O'Shea's big Adventures.
Also Manny Rubio discusses this a little in his book "Rattlesnakes: Portrait of a Predator"
The religious people that do this honestly believe that the lord will protect them from any dangerous thing that they drink. So far they are right because none of them have been injured from what they drink, which includes strychnine. However, they all apparently believe that they could get hurt and even die from the venomous snakes that bite them. A few of their members have died. This is because that in the bible in Mark 16:17-18 it says, "17And these signs will follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."- New King James Version
To them this simply states that although God will protect them from anything deadly that they drink, he won't necessarily save them if a snake bites them. They only pick up snakes because they are doing what he says to do. They also refuse medical attention. Hope this helps.
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RE: Religious Snake Handlers
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by ZX11 on January 23, 2003
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Maybe I'm abit out of place on this subject, however, I feel that they use these snakes under false pretenses. What exactly is meant by " and they will take up serpents"? I do not beleive that God would want us to do what ultimately could kill us, so why the passage? Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the founder of this church killed by a snake? And, don't they also use the snakes' bite as a sort of detection of infidelity? What ever the reason, I want to know why the snakes, while being freehanded, don't fight back. Maybe there is something to it. But, I don't want to baptised by this church..could be painful. { humor}
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RE: Religious Snake Handlers
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by PIGMAN on January 24, 2003
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Most rattlesnakes and copperheads like any other colubrid snake will calm down and get used to handling in captivity and tolerat them holding them through these events. Timber rattlesnakes are not as aggressive as say a western diamondback and it is pretty easy to pick one up and hold as long as you can hold it without threating but I wouldn't suggest doing this since snakes do have a mind of their own and may bite with a shot of venom at any moment .
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Why misguided people handle snakes.....
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by TomT on January 24, 2003
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As was stated earlier, Mark 16:18 clearly states: "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
When reading the Bible, individual verses or clusters of verses cannot be taken out of context. In the setting in Mark, Jesus is giving the remaining 11 of 12 (remember, Judas hanged himself) their commission to go out into all the world to spread the Gospel.
Some other verses that are complimentary to this can be found in Matthew 28: 16-20, and Luke 24: 46-49. When one reads the verses written by others who were present at the same time Jesus commanded the 11 to go forth, it is much clearer that the meaning of Jesus' instructions were not that these men **Should** pick up serpents as some form of test, but that if they **happen** to drink something that is bad for them, or pick up serpents, that no harm would come to them.
The verse never intended to set up the 11 to go forth picking up snakes to prove their invincibility, but as Jesus letting them know that they had powers far greater (now that the Holy Spirit resides in them) than they previously had, and He gave them instructions to go forth in all lands to spread His Word.
I hope I didn't butcher this too much.... We are NEVER instructed to tempt God, or to ask God to PROVE things to us. It is by faith that we please God, and by grace that we are granted salvation. No amount of good will (works) could have paid the debt of our sin. That is why God sent His Son to the earth in the flesh to die as the untimate sacrifice for us. The shedding of the blood was the only price that could satisfy the debt of our sin, and now that the debt has been paid, we only have to believe on Him in order to be saved.
The Bible is more than just a book. It is the inspired Word (Literally translated from the Greek "God Breathed") of God. There are no errors in it and the harder men try to prove it to be a lie, the more it bears up under scrutiny....
I could go on, but I'll stop here... I would be more than happy to continue this through email, or here if there is interest.
Tom
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RE: Why misguided people handle snakes.....
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by biff on January 25, 2003
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I must say, Tom, an excellent reply. I've been holding off on the other post because I perceive that it was started "just for reaction". But I'm glad you replied there and here, you've given a clear, concise explanation of the gospel! ;-) And answered the question from a dispensational perspective...way to rightly divide the Word of Truth!!
Steve
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RE: Religious Snake Handlers
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by Craig0104 on January 25, 2003
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when i was in west virgina last year we drove past a little shack looking church and i said to my brother " ha. i bet that is one of those churches that abuse rattlesakes" i saw that church on a special on the national geographic channel in which they were handleing rattle snakes. i thought it was the funniest thing. next year when we go back i am going to got there and show them that anyone can do what they are doing. they refergerate the snakes to slow them down.
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RE: Religious Snake Handlers
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by sparky88 on January 29, 2003
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hello everyone.i love this website and enjoy reading the knowledge that comes thru these pages.i hadn't been here in awhile and i see i have missed out on a hot topic.the original thread about serpent handling
turned into an ugly mess.this one seems to be more open so i thought i would respond.maybe i can clear up some myths and with the best of my ability(even though i don't claim to be a scholar or even close)explain serpent handling.i am a member of a serpent handling church.
i can't cover everything that i have read that was
a myth but i'll cover a few.we don't refrigerate the snakes.most keepers are very protective of their reptiles and try to take the best care of them that they can.of course there are some that are ignorant or new and they don't care for them as they should.
for the most part..ratlesnakes,copperheads,and cottonmouths are used in services.mainly because most(not all) of the churches are located along the appalachians.there have been other species brought in as well...cobras,puff adders,and others..but they escape my mind for now.
we(the church i attend) do not do this as a form of a test.we know that god has all power and is able to do all things.it's easy for people to believe in divine miracles of healing.it's easy to believe when a person is saved and he instantly is freed from alcohol,drugs and other forms of oppresion,it's easy for most people to believe in divine intervention in car accidents or other mishaps.why is hard for people to believe that god can grant a man or woman power to
pick up a serpent in accordance to scriptures that are written in the bible.
in order to keep this short i will stop there.if anyone would like they can email me.please no hate mail
as i am not into fighting,but i am willing to discuss.
i don't have all the answers but i am willing to share what i do know.
mark
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RE: Religious Snake Handlers
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by sparky88 on January 29, 2003
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i know i wrote too much earlier but i just had to add this.we do not restrict anyone from seeking medical treatment if they are bitten.that decision is made by the individual and/or his family.
also i am sorry i fogot to capitlaize the g in God.i am not a very good typist and was in a hurry.i'll try to watch that in future writings.
mark
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RE: Religious Snake Handlers
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by sierra on January 30, 2003
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Mark,
Thanks for comming forward with your experiences/views, it was an interesting read and I'm glad you took the time to share with us the practices in your church...
sierra
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