# Snake-handling pastor dies of snakebite. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489 "2014-02-16T19:47:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/81 "2014-02-21T14:58:27Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > …but most places, even amongst other religions, self-harming rituals are not encouraged. Not to detract from your main point, but cultural and ritualistic body modification and self harm is fairly common and occurs all over the world - from tribal tattoos to lip/neck stretching to intentionally being bitten by venomous creatures, from foot binding to body suspension to self-flagellation - there is nothing new under the sun. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/82 "2014-02-21T17:19:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Malacandra** : > > Ah, there you’re wrong - they have no objection to pleasure when it comes to snake-handling as long as they are authentic Irish ophidians. What’s more, no Irish priest has ever been fatally bitten by an Irish snake, nor even needed medical attention for it. True story. Well, true, provided that you’re talking about good Catholic priests. On the other hand, though, I can find no record of any Protestant ever surviving a bite from an Irish snake. And **GuanoLad** , are you saying that snakes contain no chemicals which interfere dangerously with the metabolic processes of living things? Because if they do contain such chemicals, then they’re poisonous. In common parlance, snakes are poisonous. But if you want to get technical about it, snakes are poisonous. They’re more specifically venomous, but a venom is a kind of poison. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/83 "2014-02-21T17:59:39Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Well, true, provided that you’re talking about good Catholic priests. On the other hand, though, I can find no record of any Protestant ever surviving a bite from an Irish snake. Tragically, this is quite right, and it’s not just members of the clergy: every Protestant ever bitten by an indigenous Irish snake has died of it. It’s almost uncanny. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/84 "2014-02-21T20:54:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > In common parlance, snakes are poisonous. But if you want to get technical about it, snakes are poisonous. They’re more specifically venomous, but a venom is a kind of poison. Anybody know the Straight Dope on this? Substances that may be toxic if injected into your blood might nevertheless be harmless when swallowed and digested. If you ate a venemous snake, venom and all, is the venom digestible and rendered harmless? Yes, I know it doesn’t _necessarily_ work that way. Don’t try this with fugu, kiddies. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/85 "2014-02-21T23:23:36Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Not to detract from your main point, but cultural and ritualistic body modification and self harm is fairly common and occurs all over the world - from tribal tattoos to lip/neck stretching to intentionally being bitten by venomous creatures, from foot binding to body suspension to self-flagellation - there is nothing new under the sun. Indeed they are, not alas that tattoos are limited to tribal expression. None of these gruesome things though are _presently_ mandated by organized religion, nor approved as a mark of faith if one goes to one’s local priest, rabbi or imam. Not even knife-slashing one-self which was moderately popular not long ago: dervishes didn’t just dance. \* - Safely: a sheik would lick the blade to sterilize it before the devotee thrust in through their cheeks. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/86 "2014-02-22T00:43:44Z")
To dead preacher: When come back, bring pie-thon. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/87 "2014-02-23T00:08:48Z")
I was once engaged to a girl who was a member of a snake-handling church. When I found out, I broke it off. I wish I could get my diamondback. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/88 "2014-02-23T03:01:08Z")
Obviously they weren’t speaking in Parseltongue. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/89 "2014-02-23T03:02:37Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Obviously they weren’t speaking in Parseltongue. How do you know? They spoke with forked tongues. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/90 "2014-02-23T03:14:11Z")
Oh jeez. All these puns! Boooo! Hisssss! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/91 "2014-02-23T03:43:55Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Oh jeez. > > All these puns! > > Boooo! Hisssss! Mamba mia, that was bad! ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/92 "2014-02-23T04:41:43Z")
No symbolism necessary when the groom tosses the bride’s garter to the wedding guests. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/93 "2014-02-23T05:43:55Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Mamba mia, that was bad! Ouch! Just because you have a keyboard and a bad venomous snake pun, you should still really think first before just taipan it in. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/94 "2014-02-23T11:03:20Z")
Don’t make me come in there and viper floor with you. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/95 "2014-02-23T12:23:01Z")
You’re making an asp of yourself. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/96 "2014-02-23T15:03:47Z")
\ He faw down and gaBOON! \ ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/97 "2014-02-23T16:15:46Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > \ > He faw down and gaBOON! > \ That’s go “boom”, not “boon.” Use the proper words here, please. Don’ t need any of that boomslang. ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/98 "2014-02-23T20:03:13Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Oh jeez. > > All these puns! > > Boooo! Hisssss! You said it. The MPSIMS is quickly becoming the lowest forum of humour. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/99 "2014-02-24T13:42:59Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > Indeed they are, not alas that tattoos are limited to tribal expression. None of these gruesome things though are _presently_ mandated by organized religion, nor approved as a mark of faith if one goes to one’s local priest, rabbi or imam. If by “organized religion” you mean only Christianity, Judaism and Islam, then you are correct. Very narrowly defined, but correct. Many of the activities I listed (and others I didn’t list) are still central to the religion of that particular tribe or peoople group. I included tribal tattoos because, unlike modern tattoos, the more intense pain is considered a big part of the experience. We on this board tend to be American/Euroopean centric 'cause that’s where we live. I’m just reminding folks that the world is a big, diverse place. I was specifically addressing this one line in your post: > [@](#): > > Religious lunacy, stupidity and futile pastimes are not singular to Americans, even slightly, **but most places, even amongst other religions, self-harming rituals are not encouraged**. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489/100 "2014-02-24T18:43:10Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > If by “organized religion” you mean only Christianity, Judaism and Islam, then you are correct. Very narrowly defined, but correct. Many of the activities I listed (and others I didn’t list) are still central to the religion of that particular tribe or peoople group. I included tribal tattoos because, unlike modern tattoos, the more intense pain is considered a big part of the experience. > > We on this board tend to be American/Euroopean centric 'cause that’s where we live. I’m just reminding folks that the world is a big, diverse place. I was specifically addressing this one line in your post: I was including Buddhism, Shintoism, Communism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism etc. etc. in the category of generally sensible organized religions, who now will at least remit your self-guilted suffering if you slip them a little bit of money; and not recognizing Animism as organized. I sometimes think that in the not too distant past, when Roman Catholics submitted themselves — in lieu of other victims — to quite as extraordinary torments as any savage tribe, some priests must have felt fairly _blase_ about the idiots amongst them. I don’t generally capitalize different religions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-handling-pastor-dies-of-snakebite/681489.md?page=6)