Serpent Handling

[PropheticTimes]

I assume that there are probably no serpent-handling Christians on this forum, as I have never even met one personally despite living in one of the few states they are active in. But I was reading that it is illegal in the Appalachian states to actually perform serpent handling in churches. While I see no significance in serpent handling and find it to be a bit excessive, I see no reason for it to be illegal. Do you believe it should be illegal? Is this not a form of religious persecution?

Does it test God? Yes. Should it be illegal? No, that would be to infringe on their religious belief. If they choose to play with fire then they've no one to blame but themselves when they get burned.

 

[JackRT]

That is exactly what they practice, which is why several have died.

And the others will claim lack of faith when the true problem is nothing more than stupidity.

 

[frienden thalord]

I agree. The secular authorities are looking for the safety of the people And this would ensure physical and spiritual safety for those who are acting outside of even natural reason[/QUOTE
AMEN.

 

[frienden thalord]

Does it test God? Yes. Should it be illegal? No, that would be to infringe on their religious belief. If they choose to play with fire then they've no one to blame but themselves when they get burned.[/QUOTE
what would so many have thought about JESUS infringing on the rights of those
in that temple selling and making money.
todays generation would say........HE YOU STOP That , its their RIGHT to believe and practice
their religion .
Ponder that for a bit.
its not an attack , it something to ponder.

 

[FenderTL5]

I could be wrong; I don't think the laws against it are religious in nature. I think the laws are concerning the breeding and housing of the venomous snakes (usually rattlesnakes). The laws would apply to a 'pet store' the same way they apply to an individual or church.

 

[frienden thalord]

I want everyone to ponder what was just said.
Imagine how this generation would see JESUS
as a hater I am afraid.
when he went into that temple and corrected .
most would say..................HEY its their right to practice as they believe.
I seek no position of authority over anyone.
BUT snake grabbing ought to be illegal. Now its not my fight
to convince the govt .
in fact as I said........I have absolutely no desire to be in any position
of power .
I believe I should be lowly and serve and am very happy with this.
BUT, if I were given any postion , MY FIRST responsibity
IS TO GOD .
and thus its what he deems right I would obey and instruct others to as well.
My judge is not man, and I am not accountable to what he deems as right .
MY JUDGE is GOD......and every man woman and child under any watch I was given.
if any error must be corrected.....
we follow JESUS pattern. so its warn, then bring two or more
then the church, then if no repentance we separate company.
but I do not worry over rights . I FOLLOW and teach what is RIGHT in the SIGHT of GOD.
and snake tempting IS NOTright. thus if man wants to make it illegal
I say amen.

 

[frienden thalord]

the reason most defend the evil in other religions
is they fear persecution from the same govt.
I fear not man..............thus I am free to just
teach what is right in the sight of GOD.
if they rights to practice evil , I say amen.
if l lose rights to speak truth.
SO be it..........I am persecuted, and as I said I fear not man.
we were never told in this world ye shall have it easy.
TRIBULATION my friends.................yet PEACE of knowing him through it all.
timothy had his head bashed in for going against the RIGHTS
of pagans celebrating their evil.
now we need to mature up. WE SUPPORT no evil
and we fear not what man can do to us.
LIVE IT and praise the LORD.

 

[frienden thalord]

if the rights to practice what is evil are shut down . I say amen.
if my freedoms are taken away.................I fear no man.
I refuse to defend the rights of any evil relgoin.
warn out against it ............you bet.
they NEED CHRIST not rights to practice religion.
and I wont protect no evil action.
now abortion , you bet if a vote against it , YOU BET
but abortion is EVIL. see the difference.

 

[Humble me Lord]

Snakes in a Church: Should the Law Protect the Religious Liberty of Serpent-Handlers?
Interesting read from a case in TN

 

[frienden thalord]

You mean they are testing each other's faith and justify one'sdeath as one who lacked faith?

Oh boy!!!

miknik their is something I have learned.
you can speak the truth, but you cant make anyone hear it.
man hears what he wants. But if one has ears to hear , they hear
and eyes to see they see.
I pray many mature up fast . You be blessed.

 

[frienden thalord]

You mean they are testing each other's faith and justify one'sdeath as one who lacked faith?

Oh boy!!!

THIS is exactly what they BELIEVE...if you had genuine faith you would not have been bit.
talk about pagan worship.

 

[frienden thalord]

I would have to say why defend a wicked practice.

 

[frienden thalord]

This is a slippery slope. If laws are passed to prevent this kind of thing in a church, a secular world could start passing laws against baptism, someone could drown, etc., etc.

YES they could. but I would still practice it.
what we cant do is defend evil in hopes we wont get persecuted later.
we have to see it HOW our LORD would .
support no evil and don't fear what man can do to us.
be blessed my friend . I hope this clears it up.

 

[frienden thalord]

this is why some chuches have supported evil .
out of fear .
We cannot let fear rule in our decisions or we follow evil and will support it.
GOD has me through all times and i am persecuted so be it.
i will follow GODS way whether it cost me my life
an thus i also refuse to support any rights which do evil.

 

[miknik5]

I agree with what you initially said. It is a matter of of excessiveness on their part. However, even if people are injured or killed it does not really matter. They are putting themselves in such a risk. If they put others in risk, which is not the case as it is not a requirement of faith, then it should be illegal.

isnt that what they are doing in testing one another's faith?

Putting each other at risk?

 

[miknik5]

You mean they are testing each other's faith and justify one's death as one who lacked faith?

Oh boy!!!

Is this what they are doing?
And are they really breeding snakes?

 

[4x4toy]

I assume that there are probably no serpent-handling Christians on this forum, as I have never even met one personally despite living in one of the few states they are active in. But I was reading that it is illegal in the Appalachian states to actually perform serpent handling in churches. While I see no significance in serpent handling and find it to be a bit excessive, I see no reason for it to be illegal. Do you believe it should be illegal? Is this not a form of religious persecution?

I think it's their business so I do not believe it should be illegal .. There was an investigative TV Magazine show in the 70's before I became born again who did a segment on one of those churches .. They were handling snakes and drinking strychnine out of quart jars . The TV show host took a jar of the poison and sent it to a lab. The next week they reported that the jar was in fact 100% strychnine .. The conclusion was that they drink so much and it was so consentrated that it flushed itself out, yeah right .. ..

 

[miknik5]

If they are handling a serpent out of faith then perhaps if they are bitten their only recourse should be faith. No medical treatment.

That is exactly what they practice, which is why several have died.

This is what they are doing?
Testing one another's faith
And if one physically does judging that person as being outside of Christ

But what an error already in their understanding of Mature faith not based on any physical situation or circumstance

They introduce the physical situation and circumstance and expect GOD to obey when what they are already doing is outside of faith

 

[Foxfyre]

I agree with what you initially said. It is a matter of of excessiveness on their part. However, even if people are injured or killed it does not really matter. They are putting themselves in such a risk. If they put others in risk, which is not the case as it is not a requirement of faith, then it should be illegal.

If a popular pastor told people to drink the Koolade and their faith would protect them from the poison in it, I think that would be deliberate endangerment of people who you have no idea whether they have such faith. I am pretty sure that would be an illegal act.

Probably the same sort of principle would be involved re poisonous snakes. An expert snake handler would not be prohibited from performing for a crowd. But a demonstration that would likely encourage people to take that risk or tell them they too could do this without any special training, I don't know. I just don't think that would be allowed.

 

[miknik5]

I think it's their business so I do not believe it should be illegal .. There was an investigative TV Magazine show in the 70's before I became born again who did a segment on one of those churches .. They were handling snakes and drinking strychnine out of quart jars . The TV show host took a jar of the poison and sent it to a lab. The next week they reported that the jar was in fact 100% strychnine .. The conclusion was that they drink so much and it was so consentrated that it flushed itself out, yeah right .. ..

It's a mockery
And it is in line to what the false prophets of Baal did

To those who know GOD, it is a misrepresentation of GOD