Some people are a little "out there"

Yes I have heard of these nutjobs. Ugghhh the Bible. Ok let's go to Mark and see what it says. NIV: 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they 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." KJB 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Now this these are English translations... I have gone to the Arabic (closest I can find the the Hebrew/Aramaic) and translated that the best I could Arabic Translated: 17And those who believe by the scripture; will expel demons and speak in languages that are new to them; 18They will [do away with] the eighteen serpents and drink a deadly beverage that will not harm them, and they will lay hands on patients who are recovering and they will become well. This is JESUS speaking here. He speaks in parables (or riddles if you want to call them that). So MY translation is a lot different: For those who believe will be able to fight off the demons they face in life and learn new things that were unknown to them (the scripture and the way of Christian life) They will fight off the Devil and be able to fight off his temptations without harm to themselves. They will be able to help those in need and provide a better life for them. WHOA you say that is completely different than what is in the Bible. Not really it is the interpretation of what is being said. People take things WAY too literally and even if you look at the next verse it says they will sit 'at the right hand of God'... well first God is omnipresent (everywhere) so there is NO RIGHT HAND of God... and anyways that is where Jesus is supposed to be anyway. Anyway just my thought on the whole thing Thanks Zelo

Unfortunately, churches that engage in that behavior give all Pentecostals a bad name. We believe in the Acts of the Apostles and their gifts, but we don't do anything like what those churches do. We try to use common sense. We also know that God can take away gifts or refuse to let you use them at any time He wants, so we have to make sure if we try to use them, it's according to His will. I also feel sorry for the poor snakes that have to put up with people handling them like this.

That is crazy. Look, I believe in God and I have faith, but there is no way I am going to test him and pick up a snake that could kill me. I don't have stupid written across my forehead.

I am Charismatic and we do believe in speaking in tongues,healing the sick, and casting out demons. We do believe in divine intervention if you were to accidently trod on a poisonous snake (or anything else dangerous) we do not believe however in picking one up just to put our faith to the test. We believe you are not supposed to mock God and snake handling is a form of mockery. I have heard of Churches that do practice what you are talking about. I have never been to one and don't plan on going to one.

Wow!!! Maybe the sting was God's way of reminding those people not to put Him to the test. ;)

Let's just say you won't find me there!! Too wild for my taste.

"You can purchase anything off the Internet except common sense," Harrison said. "A venomous snake isn't a pet. You don't play with it. If you do, you're an idiot." This is so true. In my opinion only a fool would mess with these poisonous snakes. I guess that some people just need to rest their faith to see if they really do believe. Besides as you said it's not nice to test God.

The snake handling sect of Christianity is so dangerous that it use to be illegal in some places. It represents how dangerous and stupid it is to take literally the actual exact words of ancient holy texts. It does not matter if these old ancient holy texts are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddist, or something else. That was then and this is now. Fundamentalists wanting to guide their lives with words from hundreds or even thousands of years ago need to use some common sense.

I yhvae seen this before on something not sure that they got arrested just was showing what they did and I do beleive is was somewhere in Mississippi

That is insane! And that is one church that I definitely would NOT want to be a member of. I am not that fond of snakes, venomous or not.

I have seen these people on Tv and it is totally taken out of context.They take that scripture complelely wrong..I know the scripture is in the Bible and it is talking about Gods protection around the children of God..They think it means to actually pick up snakes,and that is not what that means...Some people take everything literial and cannot tell right from wrong,they are just off on the deep end...The Bible also says that Gods people are of a sound mind,and picking up snakes does not sound sane to me...

You say, a little out there?? These people are four cans shy of a six pack. It is just foolish to think that God would want to test your faith by you risking your life. This is not using wisdom. I have seen a lot of that stuff and other things that people do in the name of religion. If the God that I serve required me to do that, I would not want to serve him at all.

Hi estherlou! Those are all deadly snakes and I don't think I will be joining any religion that has snakes with their service. Yikes! That is really crazy! I do think that it is very dangerous to be near those venomous snakes even if they are in glass cages. Take care and God Bless!

as for myself, since i've been in crappy florida, i've seen so many snakes, i dont think i could ever have that kind of faith. BUT, i did know some people that did and have seen pics of them handling the snakes. they all survived it including the kids. i dont think they are testing God. they are testing/proving their faith in God and his protection,. so, i couldnt do it, but i think they should be allowed to practice their own faith. after all thats what USA is about.

to me it is reay crazy a d yes they should all read your quote'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " Matthew 4:7.