I'm watching snake handling in church on Animal Planet
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
United States
January 12, 2012 8:45pm CST
This show is really amazing! There is no way I would ever hold venomous snakes as part of a religious service, or in any way. I’m sitting here watching this and they get in this kind of trance state and start handling the snakes… and even dancing with them.
The guy says he feels when the spirit of God moves on him to pick up serpents. He gets all tingly. They get so close to the snakes they could kiss them! One was even touching the head and face of the snake.
The guy said he has been arrested for handling snakes in church and for having too many snakes at where he lives. He has a snake house by his house where he keeps all his poisonous snakes.
What are your thoughts about snake handling? Most churches don’t handle snakes, even though the bible verse says that anyone who does won’t be harmed. Do you believe that this verse in the bible means that we should take up serpents? Not me. I won’t. I like a certain type of snake that is a pet… I’ve been up close and personal with 2 ball pythons… they were very nice and friendly… but I would never mess with a poisonous snake.
For me… seeing is believing… I believe some people are called to handle snakes… and they have their place to show how faith works. But I it’s not for me.
Your thoughts?
2 people like this
5 responses
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
13 Jan 12
Didn't Christopher chase all the snakes out of Ireland?
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
13 Jan 12
Doh! I knew that. (Why'd I say Christopher?)
1 person likes this
@beenice2 (2967)
• Sackville, New Brunswick
24 Jan 12
It is fool of holes that kind of thinking that God is close to him when he is handling snakes. I find he is a weirdo. It is not written in the Bible " you should go to church with your pet snake so God can talk to you. He might have the talent to take care of snakes. But I tell you I never heard something so nonsense, sorry to say.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
24 Jan 12
Do you have any religious beliefs? If so, there are probably people who think you are also weird. The bible does mention picking up serpents and not getting killed by them. It's not my belief. It wouldnt be a pet snake. That wouldn't show anything. These men picked up venomous vipers they got from the mountain hollar they lived in. It's scary yet very mesmerizing to watch on TV. the bible doesn't instruct us to do that but suggests IF you do you won't be killed by the venom if you do so with the belief in the holy spirit. You can look up the passage to read it. I'm not quoting...just paraphrasing.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
13 Jan 12
Hi PointlessQuestions, I don't understand why anyone would want to do this, especially in church since it makes no sense at all. Some people do seem to be able to charm snakes like this but it has nothing to do with being a Christian. There are people who have special gifts, but such people are not necessarily religious. It may have something to do with fear as that's what causes all animals to attack. If someone shows absolutely no fear, all creatures will be gentle. I think it is wrong for someone to use such things to make others thing they are are Christian, or perhaps closer to God than others. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
13 Jan 12
Hi Pose,
You are right there, they showed no fear of the snakes and the snakes had no fear of the men who handled them. They had just got one of these snakes out of the mountains there in Appalachia, where they live… it had never been handled before… and it was like it was hypnotized.. it was like both man and snake were under a spell… but they were calling it the anointing of God. The man said he never takes up serpents unless he feels the pull from God to do it. He says when he feels that way he starts feeling numb all over, and he goes into speaking in tongues and it was just amazing to watch.
I wouldn’t do it, but I do feel that they have their place in religion… because for some people, this shows them their faith is real, I think. I would never presume to say their faith is wrong… just because it isn’t the same as mine. 
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
13 Jan 12
most definately not for me. i do know there are people that can do it and i do believe in the verse for those with that kind of faith. its just not mine. i used to have a husband, my 3rd that did that and never got bit. i had a pic of him doing it so i know about it. i left florida because i couldnt stand the snakes. 
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
13 Jan 12
I live in GA and we have snakes. During the summer and spring we see them a lot when S is mowing the lawn… he has killed them when he thought they would be a threat to our dogs… but a black snake when he finds it he just moves it to the other end of the property where he can go on his merry way.
It’s not for me either… but I do believe that these men were able to do that because God allowed it.
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
13 Jan 12
Hello PointlessQuestions. I would never do such a thing. It is silly and reckless. Paul was bit by a snake and the people thought that he was going to die because they said he was a bad man. When he shook the animal off the people were astonished.
It does not state that we need to pick them up in church services, or ever. What it is saying is that as believers, we will be immune to the wiles of the devil. Spiritually and litterally. If these men are never getting bit, then it is a testament to their faith, but to me it is not promoting the will of YAHVAH, but that of man.
Simon had many people under his spell until Paul came along and shattered that. Paul was stoned. I wonder if these same people would have the faith to survive being stoned? (Plus, Paul still had alot to accomplish and that is why he survived so long.)
You are right that we are all called to our place, and it is hard to say for sure what is really happening there. Maybe YAHVAH allows these people do this so others will believe. That is my take. Have a great evening. :) :)
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
13 Jan 12
Thank you for the bible lesson. I didn’t know that Paul got bit by a snake. I guess the preacher never preached on that, and I know, as a former Sunday school teacher I never taught it because I didn’t know it! Thank you for enlightening me.
I do believe these types of believers do help to encourage the faith of others. When I was watching it was almost as if the snake was hypnotized as the men were swinging them and gently moving them. They could get their face right into the snakes’ faces and the snakes weren’t threatened at all. It was very interesting to watch. I watched it twice because it came on again later last night, and it was just as amazing to watch it then again.
