Snake Handling and Belief

[The Voice of Reason]

Linwood -

I like the new avatar. On to the subject matter. I would agree with the article from National Geographic - that these people are bitten quite often and I would be the first to tell you that some of them are maimed by the snake bites as well. I would be willing to bet that if you showed up with your pet Black Mamba, these guys would take a shot at it. They rub the snake all over their face, arms, hands and necks - almost tempting the snake to bite them!!

I used to work in the R and D department in a heavy industry facility, and we used the same lab to do our independent testing that was used to test the strychnine. I have every reason to believe their results - they told us that the strychnine was like 95% pure. I don't remember the exact number, but it was far beyond what should have been fatal. Then again, the fact that these guys ingest it over a long period of time may allow them to build up some type of resistance.

TVOR

[linwood]

I would be willing to bet that if you showed up with your pet Black Mamba, these guys would take a shot at it. They rub the snake all over their face, arms, hands and necks - almost tempting the snake to bite them!!

I`ll give you that, insanity must rule in order to participate in venomous snake handling.
I`d use a young pygmy rattler though (they always bite everything and are extemely venomous).

But the fact that there are at least 100 documented deaths and lord knows how many injuries resulting shows their faith doesn`t do them much good.

they told us that the strychnine was like 95% pure. I don't remember the exact number, but it was far beyond what should have been fatal. Then again, the fact that these guys ingest it over a long period of time may allow them to build up some type of resistance.

Drinking poison as a show of faith is something I admittedly don`t know much about.
I`ve heard reference to it concerning Biblical scripture and thats about all.
I`d like to know how many documented deaths occur from this past time.

However, deadly or not these practices show more of a mental defect than faith.
I could also argue that blind faith is a mental defect and these two practices would be the first I cited.

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by The Voice of Reason

Okay Ronald, I give. What is your litmus test, and, more importantly, why should they take your litmus test, as opposed to the one that they see as having been put before them by their God?

I have no problem with you believing whatever you choose to believe, or to put those beliefs online, on this site. However, you seem to be saying that their faith is somehow "wrong" because it is not the same as your faith. That, my good man, is bigotry. Perhaps I am wrong, and am misunderstanding your position, but that is what I can gather from the tone of your post.

TVOR

I am not saying as you suggested. I echo Yeshua, Mt 6:1 "Beware of practicing your pietybefore men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. My Litmus test is to sell all they posess and go work in a soup kitchen feeding the homeless as a ptactice in piety.

[The Voice of Reason]

Originally Posted by linwood

But the fact that there are at least 100 documented deaths and lord knows how many injuries resulting shows their faith doesn`t do them much good.
- and -
However, deadly or not these practices show more of a mental defect than faith.
I could also argue that blind faith is a mental defect and these two practices would be the first I cited.

Once again, Linwood, you and I are on the same page. I just wanted to point out that these people believe STRONGLY in what they are doing. Like you, I have neither the need or desire to follow their lead. Also, like you, I find this an incredibly insane thing to do, whatever your beliefs in God.

Ronald -
I have to admit, the "Mother Teresa" test is one that most would fail, and fail miserably.

TVOR

[Ronald]

Thank you, sometimes you are TVOR.