These times will try everyone's faith in their particular religion. Please remember what works for some does not work for others. Case in point is an article you may want to read about a Pentecostal Pastor who refused medical aid for a Rattlesnake bite during a church service. He died that night at home. The article states "It's estimated that 125 churches in the United States use poisonous snakes during services today, with many clustered in the South. In tiny churches tucked away in rural Appalachia, ‘snake handling’ is a long-standing tradition, one that took root in this region more than a century ago.”
These pastors believe that to "take up serpents" is a form of religious expression. In the King James Bible, Mark 16:18 says, "They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them."
Do you think they are foolish? That is their religion. How about you? Will you go to church service this next call for prayer or mass because you are not afraid of the Corona virus? Even the Pope was socially isolating, there was no mass in St Peters for Easter.
How do people not of your religion view you?
Whether you believe God will protect you if you handle poisonous snakes or go mask-less and unvaccinated during a pandemic, keep your religion to yourself and act like a good citizen. How would you feel if someone put a rattlesnake around your shoulders and said, “Don’t worry, my God won’t let you die if the snake bites you?”
Stay safe and isolate! Wear a mask! The virus doesn't spread by itself, we spread it! Don’t put your snake around my shoulders!
George
