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More about Free Handling (Sort of)
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by Joy on November 17, 2004
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Faith Handling
First! I do not intend to insult anyone here! I do think faith is an important part of being human, a part that crosses all cultural and geographic boundaries. And I do not intend to start any holy wars.
But I noticed something the last time I saw snake handlers on NGC. The church and the service looked eerily similar to the church services I grew up in. That got me started researching.
I was raised in Pentecostal Church of God (WV). The snake handling movement is in the Church of God with Signs Following. And they have a lot in common!
The Pentecostal church services were always very loud, with rhythmic music, and lots of stomping. Now, I was a coldly analytical child, and I was always amazed at the hypnotic effect this had on people.
But now I wonder, could the vibrations from the service and the music be affecting the snakes similarly?
***I am not saying that makes it any less dangerous. Plenty of people still get bit, and don’t seek medical attention.***
But could the vibrations have such a tranquilizing effect on the snakes?
Has anyone else noticed anything like this? For instance, playing a stereo near your enclosures?
What do the experts think?
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RE: More about Free Handling (Sort of)
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by Chance on November 17, 2004
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I would infer that vibrations would tend to do the opposite in snakes and most other terrestrial reptiles that they do in humans. We, as a species, tend to enjoy music (vibration) and find it to be relaxing...well, certain kinds anyway. However, snakes use vibrations to judge the approach of danger or food. I would imagine that playing a loud stereo next to a snake's enclosure would only succeed in increasing its stress levels. It is my guess that in these snake-handling churches, people are able to handle these snakes without getting bitten often (note the word 'often') for the same reason anyone else could do the same. Snakes are snakes, even venomous ones. There is nothing mystical or fantastical about them. If you approach them in a methodical way and handle them without being too terribly threatening, most of them will not choose to bite you. However, sometimes they do, and sometimes people die. Even people in these churches.
In my very humble opinion, and mind you this is coming from a completely nonreligious person, I think snake handling for your religion is not only stupid, but should be downright illegal. I've seen a few shows on Discovery and AP that spoke a bit about these churches, and just about every time I saw kids in the same room as these adults. If that doesn't qualify as child endangerment, I don't know what does. Not only that, but I think it only helps to further the bad reputation snakes have. Of course we have freedom of religion in this country and I think that's great. I wouldn't want to be forced to believe in anything, and I'm glad this isn't a theocracy. However, I think your freedoms end where they impede on others, and I'd say the endagering childrens' lives by having them 'take up serpents' certainly qualifies. Anyway, that's just my opinion on the subject.
-Chance
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by AquaHerp on November 17, 2004
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Snake handling in Churches has been against the law for many years now. La Barre's book "Thou Shall Take Up Serpents" makes for interesting reading on the subject. I have often found it odd that the founder of this cult in the US was himself killed of snakebite in 1955, yet the practice continued on. LOL...personally as a follower, I'd be thinking Hmmmmmmmm......
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by spankey on November 17, 2004
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well I am a Christian and still think its stupid. that verse is basically the only verse in the bible that they follow. there are many many places in the bible that say not to tempet the Lord. I'm pretty sure that most of the snakes they use are cooled down before being handled to make them lethargic. I've also noticed that out of probably 20 of there snakes 18 - 19 of them are copperheads and one or two rattlesnakes. they are just tricking themselves into thinking they are holy when really its the toxicaty of the snakes and the temperment/ temperature. thats just what I think though.
Jason
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by skinnylewis on November 17, 2004
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Anyone who thinks snake handling in church is against the law hasnt been to West Virginia, Kentucky or Georgia as of late there are alot of these churches going on. The guys in Ga. that have native venomous in their collections can thank the churches that is the only reason they have not been outlawed so far just ask your local DNR man I work closely with DNR in Ga. and that is what I was told. I am not a snake handler myself I have several venomous in my collection and handle only when needed with proper equipment so I am not taking up for the practice just letting you know some info.
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by ALA_herp31 on November 18, 2004
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John, its the same here in AL, the only reason they havent outlawed the keeping of native AL species is becuase of the Snake handling Churches. I in some ways do think it should be outlawed all over the USA, but if we do that we need to be very careful, freedom of religion is a touchy subject becuase if you start to remove rights you never know when those removals will stop. So its hard to judge on this subject. I am a Christain and I dont belive in Snake handling either, but I do strongly belive in freedom of religion and would go as fare as to say that if we begin to outlaw such things, that it could leed to even more religious freedoms being lost.........Just the opinion of a old southern country boy "LOL".......Happy herping Wally
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by AquaHerp on November 18, 2004
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actually Lewis, you are correct. Then again, LOL, so am I. I shouldn't have made such a blanket statement without thinking it over first. It is legal is some States, others it it not. Freedom of religion does not get as liberal as some might think. People do indeed have a right to think and worship in a fashion they deem appropriate, to an extent. Sacrificing chickens in the bathroom is also not tolerated as upheld
by the Supreme Court.
But, now we're gettin deep into an area I hesitate to go, religion, (including creationism/Darwinism), politics, and reality television.
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by timberrattlesnake89 on November 18, 2004
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Most churches that particpate in snake handling do keep exotics. DNR does not even bother them on the princble of that you do not screw with fanaticals. Also the drink arsnic and other poisons. I have personally met a couple with Chuck Hurd at the SC venomous show. What they do is collect about 5 or so canebreaks and trade them for a puff adder. They will hold any snakes they get their hands on. Hey Wally the main reason DNR does allow native is of rattlesnake roundups. That is the main reason in Georgia at least. They are very calm with snakes and just let the slide through their hands. I practice the same technique with my aggressive non venomous snakes. Most of the time it works too.
Phillip
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by challenger on November 18, 2004
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No point in starting a holy war here but I'll give some food for fodder. IMO it was not the intention of Jesus to start but one Christian Church. I won't give my opinion on what I feel that religion/faith is but IMO the other "Christian" Churches are simply ones started by one individuals ego and his (Martin Luther as an example-there are many more "church starters")interpretation of the Bible. How can one explain 28 seperate Baptist churches, the JW's, the Amish and Mormons? Another fact that eludes and confuses me is how many "modern" Bibles are missing sometimes as many as 5 of the original books that were in the original Bible (that took 300+ carefull years to compile) Oh well might as well shake the pot.
I also believe the serpent in the Bible is a metaphore for the Devil and is not literally the reptiles we love.
What say you all?
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by ALA_herp31 on November 18, 2004
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Pillip, I have watched a few shows on TV about Snake handling Churches. I have noticed that they dance around with the Snakes a lot and you should know that even if you just let the Snake slide thrue your hands, the vibrations of the person dancing around would get the Snakes agresion levle up. It stands to reason thats the reason they get bite a lot, but I think myself that a lot of these so called faith based Snake handlers do cool their Snakes down and I think that some probably sow the mouth shut to avoid geting bite. I do know of one Church that was on sand mountain, AL (I think its still thare) that dose/did use fully capable venomous species. So the point here is that some of these Churches pull pranks to make ppl around them think they are falowing their faith......Just my opinion.........Happy herping Wally
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