Nature Takes Its Course

Another snake-handling preacher has bit the dust, bitten by a poisonous snake. The man believed that God would protect him from the venom, so he refused medical treatment, and died. Why this fascination with serpents? I suppose that it has to do with the Garden of Eden story and the one about Moses and one of the plagues on Egypt. People who take all of the Bible as true end up doing stupid things, hurting themselves and others. The idea that you can put God to the test by taking insane risks, expecting that He will save you is...well, insane.

Religious instruction and preaching need to communicate that faith does not extend to circus-like acts or tricks.

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