Snake Handler Dies; World Unsurprised

[Hyena Dandy]

http://news.yahoo.com/serpent-handli...opstories.html

So, a guy died
From being bit by a snake
From a group that believes being part of their group renders you immune to being bit by snakes
His father also died
From being bit by a snake.

You know, at some point, MAYBE someone should reconsider their interpretation of the bible.

The way I see it, a guy dies from it... Fine, if it's the first time it happened. I might not even care that much if just nobody he knew ever died from it. We don't always put a lot of stock in something that happens to someone we don't know/have never met. But really, if your DAD died from it? And you were THERE?

I mean, he even sites his Dad's death as being very inspirational.

Which is even THEOLOGICALLY ridiculous.

Either you handle snakes fine, because you're part of this snake-handling group. Or you can get killed by snakes, because your faith is weak.

And he talks about how strong his father's faith was. His father who was killed by snakes.

There's a serious rift here.

I know I'm being a little mean-spirited about this. I'm not happy he's dead. I'm really not. I don't really WANT anyone to die, unless their death will somehow stop them from continuing to hurt other people.

But...

Come on...

He MUST have saw that coming.

[Crazedclerkthe2nd]

This is the relevant scripture from the Gospel of Mark:

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Personally I think this passage is meant to be more metaphoric than literal. The Bible uses the image of a snake or serpent to represent evil (for example.during Eves encounter in the Garden of Eden). I think Jesus was s essentially saying: Those who believe in me will overcome evil and do great things.

[bara]

Clearly, they did not believe hard enough.

Also, this reminds me of Hot Shots Part Deux.

"These monks have taken a vow of celibacy, like their fathers before them'

[ExRetailDrone]

While I completely agree that the irony here is thick, and the guy's beliefs really make no sense, there's one thing I can't understand. Why is this considered news?

[HYHYBT]

"These monks have taken a vow of celibacy, like their fathers before them'

No problem there; it's just a matter of doing things in the right order.

[Hyena Dandy]

While I completely agree that the irony here is thick, and the guy's beliefs really make no sense, there's one thing I can't understand. Why is this considered news?

Because honestly, the people in these snakeholder groups don't really die that much.

Seeing as, well, they've kinda had to learn how to hold snakes. He wasn't bit handling the snake, in fact, he was bit while sitting next to it.

That and the irony was too great NOT to comment.

[Skelly]

Clearly, they did not believe hard enough.

Also, this reminds me of Hot Shots Part Deux.

"These monks have taken a vow of celibacy, like their fathers before them'

They're obviously allowed two weeks of vacation from celibacying each year .

[fireheart17]

Is someone able to give me the Cliff Notes version of snake handlers have to do with religion?!

[Duelist925]

Is someone able to give me the Cliff Notes version of snake handlers have to do with religion?!

Short version: They interpret a particular passage of the bible that someone quoted earlier in the thread as being very literal, and thus believe snake venom will have no effect on them as long as their faith is strong.

Its exactly as stupid as it sounds.

but I like snakes, so....good for them? eh? *shrug*

[Bloodsoul]

Do you mean to tell me that at no point did he think this practice was going to turn around and bite him in the ass?

[Hyena Dandy]

Evidently not.

And then it literally did. >_<

Honestly, if you believe you can't be bit by snakes due to a passage...

And then your dad gets bit by a snake...

Then either you have to think your dad was not a great man of faith... Or the passage is wrong.

[fireheart17]

Short version: They interpret a particular passage of the bible that someone quoted earlier in the thread as being very literal, and thus believe snake venom will have no effect on them as long as their faith is strong.

Its exactly as stupid as it sounds.

but I like snakes, so....good for them? eh? *shrug*

Hmmm....I wonder if I could hand some snakes to the preachers and tell them that if they can handle lawyers and whatnot, then their faith should protect them from snakebites.

[Hyena Dandy]

That's in large what they believe. That's why they hold snakes all the time. And why this guy got bit.

'Cause he was holding a snake. >_<

[HYHYBT]

What they forget is this: even taking that passage literally, it shouldn't be used the way they use it.

The idea is that they won't get bitten if their faith is strong enough.

But in testing their faith on a matter where God says he will protect them if it's strong enough, what they're really testing is God. Which not only shows a lack of faith, but is also proscribed several times in the Bible.