A woman died at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
She said she was bitten by a snake at her church," Lt. Ed Sizemore of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office said. Church officials could not be reached for comment.
Handling reptiles as part of religious services is illegal in Kentucky. Snake handling is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of $50 to $100. Police said they had not received reports about snake handling at the church.
2006-11-07 10:34:17 · 19 answers · asked by Akkita 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Are those folks still around? Kentucky had a real huge problem with religious snake handlers back in the seventies, and I have slept since then, but the snake handlers took their views to the supreme court I think, but like I said I have slept since then.
Freedom of religion ends when it is life threatening. Jehovah's Witness have had children taken away from them because they would not allow blood transfusion to save the child's life.
In the seventies in this same state of Kentucky people went to jail for snake handling and the snakes killed people.
Judges have sent people to prison for refusing to take their children to the doctor when the child died because their religion does not believe in doctors, but miraculous healing.
I am all for freedom of religion, but I am also all for the authorities stepping in to save lives when the religion gets out of hand.
If it does not harm anyone, then I am all for freedom of religion.
2006-11-07 10:58:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good question. I don't know about the law part of it, but I can tell you what the bible says about it.
Jesus said you should not tempt God by purpousely putting yourself in harms way. Snake handling would fall under that commandment.
The cultists that play with snakes are most certainly not Christian no matter what they claim.
They take one verse out of context where Jesus said nothing will harm them if they are doing the Lord's will. He gave examples like deadly snakes and poisons.
What He was trying to say is that God will protect you, but don't go out and jump into danger.
The idiots that take that verse literally should be avoided at all costs.
As far as the person who said "The less Christians, the better", all I can say is wait around a while. We just might see the return of Christ in this generation. When all the Christians are gone, you will be begging for us to come back. Our presence on earth is the only thing that is keeping pure evil at bay. Our prayers and righteous influences are protecting you more than you realize.
When Satan is unleashed on this earth after we are gone, you will wish you listened to us while you had the chance.
2006-11-07 18:45:38 · answer #2 · answered by IL Padrino 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is a good question. As I understand it, some Native American tribes are granted use of peyote in religious ceremony. Otherwise it is illegal. I think a church that wants to handle snakes should go through the proper channels to have it legalized for their specific use.
Interestingly enough, there was a book written about snake handling by a reporter. Later in the book he ends up taking up the snake as well. It is called Salvation on Sand Mountain.
http://www.amazon.com/Salvation-Sand-Mountain-Snake-Handling-Appalachia/dp/0140254587
2006-11-07 18:41:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's really stupid. I seen a program where adults and kids were getting into these pens with snakes. One guy had gotten bit so many times the venom didn't even effect him any more.
What's next? Go pet that nice wild bear to prove your faith? Then it's the animal who gets the blame cause Joe Bob had enough stupidty to dance around 50 poisonious snakes.
2006-11-07 18:46:32 · answer #4 · answered by Gypsy Cat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What idiot was handling a venomous snake? e.e
I frankly think that making that a misdemeanor is just stupid. Some people know what they're doing and regard snakes as divine, godly creatures. I don't exactly know what the idea behind snake handling in Christian churches is, but as long as people aren't doing incredibly stupid things, there's no danger.
2006-11-07 18:42:18 · answer #5 · answered by fiveshiftone 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ah yes...Darwinism at its best. If you're dumb enough to handle a venomous snake with no training, you deserve to be weeded out of the gene pool.
And why am I not surprised that this happened in Kentucky?
2006-11-07 18:41:52 · answer #6 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a person handles poisoness rattle snakes and thinks God is going to protect them, then let the idiots get bit. How moronic can a Christian belief be.
2006-11-07 18:39:35 · answer #7 · answered by diablo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They do that as a testimony to their faith, i.e. the snake will not bite them if they 'fear not'. My Bible says 'Tempt not the Lord thy God.' Snake handling is something that is practiced by religious cults, anyway. No genuine church condones this.
2006-11-07 18:46:17 · answer #8 · answered by Darryl L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What kind of church had snake handling?
2006-11-07 18:41:55 · answer #9 · answered by flashypsw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The law is the law. However, if people are stupid enough to handle venomous snakes carelessly then they probably deserve what they get.
2006-11-07 18:37:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋