“Pentecostal snake handlers are increasingly calling on doctors for help when they get bitten while handling venomous snakes instead of simply praying that they don’t die.”
“A group of about 125 snake-handling churches across America, including Hamblin’s, believe their practice is supported by the ‘signs’ described in Chapter 16 of the Gospel of Mark, which says, in part, that ‘They 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.’” - CPost
Textual criticism- it saves lives. Just kidding to those that hold to the long ending.
I wonder if part of the problem is that modern day snake handlers are learning how to feed snakes properly. Historically, a great portion of why the snakes generally didn’t bite, or why their bites weren’t terribly lethal, was because they were badly malnourished. Start feeding them right, and bad things will happen.
And somehow this bit from Ray Stevens seems appropriate.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
Discussion