Does this really happen in U.S Churches?

hillclimber · May 13, 2005

Originally posted by Ben W:

However strange serpent handling may seem to the casual observer, the practice from a traditional perspective is comprehensible. Taking into consideration the people's values and their particular religious tradition, even though you may reject the speci fic doctrine, you can understand why they believe it.

No I can't.

We must remember that serpent handling is not a deviant civic practice of a relatively small group of people that should be ignored, tolerated, viewed as a spectacle, or legally terminated.

It is a deviant practice, dishonoring to God.

Serpent handling is a complex traditional religious belief of a group of American Christians which should be respected for what it is (Burton, 421).

Stupid statement.
http://www.les.appstate.edu/courses/appalachia/religion/snake.htm
Click to expand...

Mike McK · May 17, 2005

Originally posted by Ben W:
In serpent handling churches, no one is required to handle the snakes, and in most no one under the age of 18 is allowed to handle snakes. When they do handle snakes, it is in the summer and fall months when the rattlers, cottonmouths, and copperheads wh ich are commonly handled can be caught. Church members capture their own snakes. Some snakes are used more than once while others aren't, depending on their health.

However strange serpent handling may seem to the casual observer, the practice from a traditional perspective is comprehensible. Taking into consideration the people's values and their particular religious tradition, even though you may reject the speci fic doctrine, you can understand why they believe it. If we are aware of their traditions personally or vicariously, we can understand why they take up serpents. We must remember that serpent handling is not a deviant civic practice of a relatively small group of people that should be ignored, tolerated, viewed as a spectacle, or legally terminated. Serpent handling is a complex traditional religious belief of a group of American Christians which should be respected for what it is (Burton, 421).
http://www.les.appstate.edu/courses/appalachia/religion/snake.htm
Click to expand...

When I was growing up in Alabama, we lived next door to a family that went to a snake handling church.

We weren't allowed to fool with them.

Does this really happen in U.S Churches?

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Does this really happen in U.S Churches?

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