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RE: More about Free Handling (Sort of)
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by Joy on November 18, 2004
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Holy War! Holy War!
Challenger, I agree with you, I think that snakes are the victims of an unfortunate metaphor. One that is still used today to justify their eradication.
It does seem that they have latched onto one verse in the bible to justify their practices. (By the way, I had a great uncle that died of a timber rattler bite while preaching!) It does seem to be tempting fate and endangering lives, but we do live in a country with freedom of religion. And more of this goes on than I believe the rest of the world knows about…..
I believe Strychnine is their poison of choice. Strychnine blocks inhibitory nerve impulses, and causes heightened perception (hearing, vision, etc.), abrupt movements, exaggerated reflexes, and convulsions. Pseudo hallucinogen? But I’ve also been told that they drunk lye and battery acid—sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid! (Any wonder I decided to become one of those Baptists??!!)
Back to the snakes.
I’ve never heard that they chilled them or anything, but I am sure that is not something they would brag about. But it is a possibility. I want to find out more.
I think I chose my words poorly. I don’t think the vibrations would tranquilize them, possibly STUN? Could it be sensory overload? (Yea, I am in love with my theory here.)
I’ve seen documentaries where the true believers took up literally hands full of copperheads and spun around with them. That is a little more than letting them gently glide through their hands. And I know I would sure bite anybody that did that to me.
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RE: More about Free Handling (Sort of)
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by timberrattlesnake89 on November 18, 2004
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Wally,
Everyone I have met do not sow up the mouths. I saw one pick up a copperhead that was Chucks. It had venom sacks and could kill you. They do not put them on ice either. Most of the snakes I think get use to it and are not agressive. You need Chuck Hurd to tell you guys about it. He has been to tons of meetings and see them do it. He is writing a research paper about them. Chuck has been to countless church meetings. Hey Joy I think that chruch you saw is in North Georgia near Carterville. I saw that episode too.
Phillip
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RE: More about Free Handling (Sort of)
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by Buzztail1 on November 18, 2004
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Alright folks, just a word of warning.
This is NOT the place to attack anyone's religeous beliefs or convictions.
If you don't believe that the snake handling churches actually handle fully functional venomous snakes, then I suggest that you go and attend a session. Anything less is just hearsay and does not belong here.
Karl H. Betz
Vice President
Southeastern Hot Herp Society
Buzztail1@hotmail.com
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RE: More about Free Handling (Sort of)
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by challenger on November 19, 2004
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Buzztail - I agree completely. I must say though that this typw of discussion will pop up from time to time and those that enjoy and appreciate snakes get the hair up when we see our freedom to keep them threatened and IMO free handling will lead to bites and deaths and prohibition of ownership. IMO there should be no exclusions for any religion that exposes people to life threatening snakes but thank God we have the freedoms we have. No doubt it is a tough subject/issue so leaving it to the states legislators is a good idea IMO.
Happy herping-don't drink the Kool-Aid
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RE: More about Free Handling (Sort of)
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by Joy on November 19, 2004
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Hey, sorry if I was stirring a pot that has already been stirred!
My interest in the topic is genuine as well as an interest in the cultural significance of snakes.
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RE: More about Free Handling (Sort of)
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by Snake17 on November 21, 2004
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My opinion is that they should be free to do whatever they want, to express their selves in there religion by any means(as long as it ain`t harming any one else) possible. I`m a ferm beliver in freedom of religion. I am an atheus, I my self don`t belive a word in the bible but I do belive that people should be free to belive whatever they want.Just my opinon...Alex S.
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RE: More about Free Handling (Sort of)
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by sparky88 on November 21, 2004
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Hello everyone. First let me say, the last time I responded to this topic, it turned into a religious debate. That is not my intentions here, I only wish to offer info to anyone interested. I really enjoy this site and I have learned alot from the knowledge that is shared here. I rarely have any info to share, but this is one topic I can share my knowledge.I am a signs following believer(as we are called now). I don't wish to attack anyones beliefs of the bible, only to share info..if anyone is interested.I would appreciate the same respect. Also, there are numerous churches in the Appalachians and other states..I can only speak for the practices of the church I attend.
We do not alter the snakes in any way. We do not cool or chill them before services.We do not allow children to handle them. TV shows tend to make the sevices look more extreme than reality. They clip different scenes together and make it look pretty wild sometimes.
There is a website that a student did on this topic
www.members.tripod.com/Yeltsin/index.html I have an email link on there if anyone would like to write me with any questions. I'll answer any questions here also, but I do not wish debate religion.
Thanks
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