# Snake Handling Pastor Bitten; Dies-Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 31, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656 "2012-05-31T14:40:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/21 "2012-05-31T18:35:08Z")
I’ve read that snake handlers who get bit and survive build up some resistance to the venom over time, so that it gets easier. One of the reasons that he was holding the event was because the practice of snake handling is in decline. This publicity will probably not help revive it. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/22 "2012-05-31T18:41:18Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > [Here](http://www.dailymail.com/News/201205290190)’s a link to the local newspaper’s coverage of the event. > > According to the article… > > “If someone handling a snake had sinned, they could be bitten for not leading a righteous life. A bite also could mean God was using the person as a messenger, to confirm the faith and word is true, Fowler said.” I can come up with a third reason for getting bitten: Snakes are wild animals, and can get really pissed off if you fuck with them. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/23 "2012-05-31T18:46:05Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Ah. That clarifies…nothing. > > If you get bit, you are either a sinner or blessed. Gotcha. Clarity and irrationality don’t often mix. I just thought it presented an interesting view of the event, since most people think snake handler death = lack of faith. Then again, I don’t suppose that (rational) people would be surprised that the believers want to put a positive spin on it, since the alternative isn’t exactly a resounding endorsement of their spiritual leader. ETA: **cochrane** , I was kinda surprised to read that the snake in question was, more or less (less, I guess!) a pet – Sheba. I guess I assumed that snake handlers just ran out and rounded up whatever serpents are handy. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/24 "2012-05-31T18:54:07Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Venomous snakes, people. Venomous. > No snake is poisonous, any snake can be eaten with no ill effect. Some do carry venom, which is a digestive fluid and not a poison. Has someone eaten every snake? How do people know this? I bet there is a poisonous snake, laws of probability ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/25 "2012-05-31T18:58:01Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I can come up with a third reason for getting bitten: Snakes are wild animals, and can get really pissed off if you fuck with them. Or maybe they’re just mean. As mean as me on a low-carb diet. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/26 "2012-05-31T19:03:51Z")
> [@Confused dart cum](#): > > Has someone eaten every snake? How do people know this? I bet there is a poisonous snake, laws of probability Nope. Poison is pretty rare among healthy vertebrates. Offhand I can only think of Tetraodontidae as being deadly poisonous, but having Pentecostals enjoy a fugu dinner as a show of faith kinda doesn’t have the same panache as snake handling. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/27 "2012-05-31T19:09:46Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > He forgot about Matthew 4:5-7. Actually, he forgot about Mark 16:18 (4b)iv-section 2: “And by serpent, we mean the non-venomous type. In fact, consider using a rubber snake” You have to read the fine print. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/28 "2012-05-31T19:58:35Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > ETA: **cochrane** , I was kinda surprised to read that the snake in question was, more or less (less, I guess!) a pet – Sheba. I guess I assumed that snake handlers just ran out and rounded up whatever serpents are handy. “Who’s a nice little snakie? You are! Yes, you a… aieee! Get it off, get it off!” ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/29 "2012-05-31T20:17:51Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > Either way, probably best not to handle them. > > I went to a restaurant in Arizona once that had rattlesnake meat on the menu. I didn’t try it. Now I keep kosher, and can’t eat it. I had it at Rawhide. Tastes like chicken (really). ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/30 "2012-05-31T22:16:57Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > Either way, probably best not to handle them. > > I went to a restaurant in Arizona once that had rattlesnake meat on the menu. I didn’t try it. Now I keep kosher, and can’t eat it. > [@beowulff](#): > > I had it at Rawhide. Tastes like chicken (really). When I was at Scout camp one year, some of the counselors had killed a rattlesnake, then fried it. It actually did taste like chicken. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/31 "2012-05-31T22:53:51Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > I have just a tiny bit of respect for these people when they don’t go running to the nearest hospital for treatment after a bite. This. If he wanted to handle snakes, okay. If he wanted it them to be venomous, okay. Both potentially stupid, but whatever floats his boat. However, rattlesnake bites are very treatable if you go to the hospital ASAP; snakes and spiders and such in North America have low fatality rates if treated. I might’ve suggested he keep some antivenin on hand, but that might be considered not trusting in God or something…:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/32 "2012-05-31T23:18:07Z")
I just had an idea-why don’t these guys walk around with lit sticks of dynamite? When the fuse burns to about 1" (and the Lord hasn’t intervened) then they yank the fuse and call it off. Oh, forgot- dynamite isn’t in the Bible! ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/33 "2012-05-31T23:22:15Z")
Garter snakes [can become poisonous](http://people.uwec.edu/piercech/animals/newt.htm) through ingestion of newts. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/34 "2012-05-31T23:28:28Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Heh. Stuff you can test, like handling snakes, healing the sick, casting mountains into the sea — actually, just about EVERYTHING Jesus promised that can be tested — is hyperbole, but stuff you can’t test, like going to heaven after you die, is to be taken literally. Got it. And that thing about giving away all your treasure and you can’t serve both God and money? Jesus meant that as a metaphor, right? ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/35 "2012-06-01T03:40:36Z")
God works in mysterious… in mysterious… ah, you know what? Fuck it. I can’t take this one. Christ on crutches, I just can’t. Shit. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/36 "2012-06-01T03:49:48Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > And that thing about giving away all your treasure and you can’t serve both God and money? Jesus meant that as a [metaphor, right? Prosperity Theology]([Prosperity theology - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology)) > [@](#): > > Prosperity theology (sometimes referred to as the prosperity gospel or the health and wealth gospel)[A] is a Christian religious doctrine which claims the Bible teaches that financial blessing is the will of God for Christians. The doctrine teaches that faith, positive speech, and **donations to Christian ministries** will always increase one’s material wealth. Sure explains televagelists. ---
**Author:** ![Enlightening\_Meditation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecc23a/32.png) [@Enlightening\_Meditation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enlightening_Meditation)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/37 "2012-06-01T04:03:38Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Snake Handling Pastor Bitten; Dies-Why? This happened in McDowell County, WV, which is one of the most insulated out of reach areas in the Appalachian Mountains. I drove through about 12 years ago although it felt like a time machine journey to 20-30 years further back. Scattered and partial and complete ghost towns exist there along with abandoned coal tipples of a previously booming industry. The more well off people had indoor plumbing. Time just moves more slowly in some places. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/38 "2012-06-01T04:20:25Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > **Snake Handling Pastor Bitten; Dies-Why?** Sometimes religion is a fatal disease. At least in this case it was him who died, instead of him killing someone else by following his religion; choosing prayer over medicine for a child, say. > [@DrFidelius](#): > > Venomous snakes, people. Venomous. > No snake is poisonous, any snake can be eaten with no ill effect. A counter-nitpick to your nitpick! Actually, there are genuinely poisonous snakes; [one example](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhabdophis_subminiatus). > [@](#): > > This snake is poisonous due to its diet of poisonous frogs. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/39 "2012-06-01T04:29:40Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Nope. Poison is pretty rare among healthy vertebrates. Offhand I can only think of Tetraodontidae as being deadly poisonous, but having Pentecostals enjoy a fugu dinner as a show of faith kinda doesn’t have the same panache as snake handling. Don’t eat the Pentecostidae! Very bad for you. (ETA: Don’t let them bite you either.) [sup](Pentecostidae: Land-dwelling blowfish?)[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656/40 "2012-06-01T04:43:39Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Don’t eat the Pentecostidae! Very bad for you. (ETA: Don’t let them bite you either.) > > [sup](Pentecostidae: Land-dwelling blowfish?)[/sup] Gold. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-bitten-dies-why/623656.md?page=3)