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.
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.
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.
Has someone eaten every snake? How do people know this? I bet there is a poisonous snake, laws of probability
Or maybe they’re just mean. As mean as me on a low-carb diet.
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.
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.
“Who’s a nice little snakie? You are! Yes, you a… aieee! Get it off, get it off!”
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.
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:
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!
Garter snakes can become poisonous through ingestion of newts.
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?
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.
Prosperity Theology](Prosperity theology - Wikipedia)
Sure explains televagelists.
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.
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.
A counter-nitpick to your nitpick! Actually, there are genuinely poisonous snakes; one example.
Don’t eat the Pentecostidae! Very bad for you. (ETA: Don’t let them bite you either.)
[sup](Pentecostidae: Land-dwelling blowfish?)[/sup]
Gold.