Snake-handling preacher killed by snake, just like his dad
Mark Wolford (Photo for The Washington Post by Lauren Pond)
If you lie down with dogs, you get fleas. Lie down with timber rattlers, and you’ve got a good chance of not getting up again.
That’s what happened to West Virginia pastor Mark Wolford, reports The Washington Post.
Wolford died while hosting an outdoor service Sunday at Panther Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia. During the ceremony, the lively preacher sat a rattler on the ground and sat next to it. The snake did what snakes do — it bit him on the thigh.
Instead of going to a hospital, he went home and tried to recover. His kidneys shut down within three hours. Someone called paramedics when it was too late.
Wolford, who combed the woods for vipers, should have known better. In 1983, when he was 15, he saw his dad die while “taking up serpents.”
But faith, which has never actually moved a mountain, has a way of moving people away from reality.
“Praise the Lord and pass the rattlesnakes, brother,” wrote Wolford on his Facebook page as a way of advertising the Sunday service.
His funeral will be held Saturday, exactly one week after his 44th birthday.
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154 comments Add your comment
Rosie
May 31st, 2012
9:23 am
Moron….
GOD
May 31st, 2012
9:30 am
I forgive you this time.
ASUboozer
May 31st, 2012
9:32 am
Stupid is as stupid does…Praise Jebus!! lol
Darwin
May 31st, 2012
9:34 am
That’s called natural selection
E
May 31st, 2012
9:34 am
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rick
May 31st, 2012
9:36 am
Darwin, you comment was spot-on. Natural selection at work.
Lakeshia
May 31st, 2012
9:36 am
Nature has a way of weeding out the dumb and unfit -
Sanjeev
May 31st, 2012
9:41 am
Darwin contestant for certain.
Snake-handling preacher killed by snake, just like his dad
May 31st, 2012
9:41 am
[...] preacher killed by snake, just like his dad Snake-handling preacher killed by snake, just like his dad | News To Me with George Mathis If you lie down with dogs, you get fleas. Lie down with timber rattlers, and you’ve got a good [...]
R6
May 31st, 2012
9:45 am
please explain to me where in the Bible does it say ” hold a rattlesnake and increase faith?” i know for a fact there are plenty of places in it where it says “don’t be an idiot”
matt
May 31st, 2012
9:49 am
‘Jesus said to him, It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ Matthew 4:7
JEWELL ROLLEN
May 31st, 2012
9:58 am
THERE’S ONE BORN EVERY MINUTE!!!!
Ned Flanders
May 31st, 2012
10:00 am
I’ve done everything the bible says. Even the parts that contradict the other parts.
JG
May 31st, 2012
10:01 am
George, I’m a fan of yours but a man just died. Your lead is a too flippant for such a story.
Jackie Brown
May 31st, 2012
10:02 am
This life’s hard, man, but it’s harder if you’re stupid
Common Sense
May 31st, 2012
10:02 am
The apple does not fall far from the tree….
Gram
May 31st, 2012
10:04 am
It’s ONE thing to have FAITH. It’s another to be STUPID.
Read Your Bible
May 31st, 2012
10:06 am
Exodus 21:28-29
28″If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. 29If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death.
Aliya
May 31st, 2012
10:14 am
The Faith that moves mountains refers to the mountains in your life that could be poverty, unemployment, divorce, etc. You fill in the blank. The bible is full of metaphors. People who take it literally wind up like this guy. He took the scripture that reads about taking up serpents, but that relates to the serpents in life such as bullies, enemies, etc and facing your fears head on.
maria
May 31st, 2012
10:14 am
good for the snake
gagirl
May 31st, 2012
10:16 am
Who gets bitten by a rattlesnake and then goes home to chill????
john k
May 31st, 2012
10:16 am
The only thing my Holy Book says is that two tablespoons of butter is optional.
itsallgoodnroanoke
May 31st, 2012
10:16 am
FOOL, this is what it is….. A FOOL who used a deadly snake and preached the word and got bit. Forest Gump, repeat the word please, Stupied is What Stupied Does, A-Men Forest…..
Frank Furter
May 31st, 2012
10:27 am
I once bit a snake on the thigh and it died!
http://www.reverbnation.com/notquitedevils
Cammi317
May 31st, 2012
10:27 am
Dumb*ss!!!!
Russ
May 31st, 2012
10:30 am
George, saying faith has never moved mountains is a poor way to phrase a flippant argument and it paints with too broad of a stroke. I don’t believe one bit in snake-handling to test God – it’s foolish. But I also believe as a born-again Christian that miracles, signs, and wonders did happen just as the Bible described. How do you know the walls of Jericho didn’t tumble down because of a people’s faith and obedience?
Helen 'Mama' Boucher
May 31st, 2012
10:32 am
“Uh, basically a snake don’t have parts. But, uh, if I had to call it anything, uh, I would say it’s his knee.”
bwell
May 31st, 2012
10:32 am
God gives us common sense. To bad he didn’t have any or use it. That wasn’t nothing but the devil. First of all any God given child would not have been searching for poison snakes, second what idiot will sit by one which is from the wild and not tamed. Then there’s the generation curse. HIS DAD died from the same thing. Only in Wva i guess.
wreckmaniac
May 31st, 2012
10:33 am
I’ve never really fully understood all of the benefits of venomous snakes until now.
ON THE DOWN LOW
May 31st, 2012
10:33 am
If you lie down with Mike Vick Supporters, you’ll likely get something a lot worse than just fleas.
Commonscents
May 31st, 2012
10:49 am
Only in West Virginia.
I Bet He Was A Republican
May 31st, 2012
10:52 am
RELIGION?
Is anyone surprised or shocked by these charlatans?
Mitt Romney’s Mormon religion believed in the White Horse Prophecy.
Most Mormons are unaware of their past leaders statements about the prophecy, but the concept that the constitution will one day “hang by a thread” and be saved by a Mormon elder seems to be well ingrained in their thinking.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Curious and Confused
May 31st, 2012
10:52 am
A man died. A family is now missing someone. He was loved by people. Even if we don’t agree with his beliefs or interpretation of the Bible (and many of you don’t believe in the Bible in any sense as indicated in your responses), we don’t have to mock him in his death. Seriously, have some respect for someone. And Mr. Mathis, you don’t have to be so flippant in your remarks either. Shameful.
jesus freak
May 31st, 2012
10:56 am
i think its called common sense!
Mike Lum
May 31st, 2012
10:58 am
It was Bush’s fault.
Wite&Rite
May 31st, 2012
11:00 am
Dumb &%$ got what he wanted, to see if he culd best Satan.
budman
May 31st, 2012
11:01 am
But was the snake ” saved “??
Al
May 31st, 2012
11:02 am
What the bible teaches is for the preacher to preach the gospel.What ever the Apostles did was to confirm who they were.After the bible was completed the instructions are to study to show yourself approved to God a workman who need not be ashamed,rightly dividing the word of God.If you love me keep my commandments says Jesus.Anything else is of the devil.Start reading and stop listening to everything you hear because you will be held responsible at the judgement. Please don’t try to prove anything with a rattle snake.He is full of deadly poison ,THAT IS ALL.Sorry the fellow had a mis-understanding.
BG
May 31st, 2012
11:10 am
God gave us a brain to use and this preacher failed to use his.
brk
May 31st, 2012
11:14 am
my mother, sister & I went to a church in NGa years ago & when they brought out the snakes we ran from that church we went with our cousins and did not wait on them to come out, we walked home which was a long way home. do not tempt the serpent, which is the devil
Bible Student
May 31st, 2012
11:15 am
Apparently even the Christians here haven’t read their Bible. This guy was just being faithful to the Word.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Ed
May 31st, 2012
11:20 am
If you’re gonna be dumb you gotta be tough.
SayWhat
May 31st, 2012
11:21 am
Very sad misinterpretation of scripture. Folks read the passage about Paul not being harmed when he was bitten by a viper when he picked up some firewood and the snake came out and bit him. From there, they decide it’s an act of faith to “take up a serpent.”
Renee
May 31st, 2012
11:22 am
I’m tried to understand the connection of snakes and church
Sir Thomas Henry Huxley
May 31st, 2012
11:22 am
Hey bible student. Mind if I call you B.S.? If he was being faithful to the Word, i guess that word was a lie.
SSSSSSSSS
May 31st, 2012
11:24 am
And he tasted bad!
@Bible student…does this mean the Bible was wrong?
My vote is God sees this a suicide…so where is he now?
Wite&Rite
May 31st, 2012
11:25 am
You got to understand that in W. Virginny its like that. They once had a feud that ran for decades that killed off over 68 white people over a pig that got ate by the wrong family. that’s mountain folks for yer.
Now exiting with Deliverance music playing in the background.
Dick Cheney for President 2012! Yehaw!!!!
Ask Darwin
May 31st, 2012
11:41 am
If nature has a way of weeding out the dumb and unfit then why are there still Democrats.
SAL
May 31st, 2012
11:46 am
What an idiot!
gunga din
May 31st, 2012
12:02 pm
in the words of comedian Ron White — “you can’t fix stupid”
Roger
May 31st, 2012
12:09 pm
You still can’t fix STUPID!!!!!!!!!!
Quagmire
May 31st, 2012
12:14 pm
I think that preacher thought he was Moses and his snake was going to eat the other snakes.
Read it closely
May 31st, 2012
12:16 pm
Hey Bible Student, the passages you quote say you can tread on or take up serpents. This guy sat down next to one. That’s not the same thing. See what happens?
Mark one up for Darwin
Jason
May 31st, 2012
12:17 pm
At least he died doing what he believed was true. Most of us don’t stand for anything anymore. No matter how foolish his snake handling beliefs were he stood by them.
Quagmire
May 31st, 2012
12:18 pm
Once you go snake, you never go back
CLEMSONDUDE
May 31st, 2012
12:20 pm
Stupid people seem to always die first!…Pure idiot!….Dawrin at his best!
Leigh Westergren
May 31st, 2012
12:21 pm
What a TARD
R6
May 31st, 2012
12:21 pm
I,m a committed christian, a couple of months ago i saw a rattlesnake cross my walkway to my front door, and do you want to know what the Holy Spirit laid on my heart? SHOOT EM R6! SHOOT EM R6! And you know what I did? I shot and killed the rattle snake. This is what they call common sense.
Ellen
May 31st, 2012
12:22 pm
So I guess we shouldn’t take the Bible, literally?
Quagmire
May 31st, 2012
12:24 pm
I guess he didn’t think his earlier work would come back to BITE him
The Peanut Gallery
May 31st, 2012
12:26 pm
Oh no! One less vote for Romney!
TJ
May 31st, 2012
12:27 pm
Live by the serpent, die by the serpent.
The Believer
May 31st, 2012
12:41 pm
Just an example of how stupid he was. These are the people we listen to, and support as well. How stupid from all of us! Will always say the same: Politics, and religion – 2 biggest scams in the world!
cj
May 31st, 2012
12:42 pm
Not only did Jesus say “they shall take up serpents and they shall not hurt them, but also “do not put the Lord your God to the test” when requested to throw Himself down from the temple, and when Peter struck a Roman Soldier who was carrying Him away, “Those who take up the sword shall die by the sword”…enough said.
dre
May 31st, 2012
12:43 pm
Ginga Din, this is a little off topic, but calling Ron White a comedian is a helluva stretch.
LBW
May 31st, 2012
12:50 pm
Probably drugged up, too. I hate preachers – they are ex criminals, pedofiles, and otherways challenged. But they do very well financially, due to those who support them. Just look at their scandals, having kids on side, etc, etc. Does not Jerssie Jackson have one with his housekeeper, or so? Didn’t we see him crying, and shedding crocodile tears when Obama was elected? How crooked these people are! Disgrace!
cj
May 31st, 2012
12:51 pm
Paul was bitten by a snake and lived, but this fellow is tempting the Lord by picking up one. We are commanded in Scripture not to test the Lord by silly physical feats. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t believe for healing, deliverance, whatever. It just means that, until the Holy Spirit speaks, use your judgment.
DavidEm
May 31st, 2012
1:05 pm
Thanks for stating what many of us have realized: that faith moves people away from reality.
Pastor Terry R. Graham
May 31st, 2012
1:08 pm
Here is the scripture:
Mark 16:17-19 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
I am not a fan of snakes, so I would never try to play with any type of snakes, especially rattle snakes.
We need to understand the spirit of the Word, versus taking everything by the letter.
Amazed in Kentucky
May 31st, 2012
1:12 pm
However you feel about a certain religious practice is one thing, but to say that “Faith has never moved a mountain” is really a scary thing to say. For many faith in God has moved many mountains. I know faith has moved mountains for me. You may not agree with religion, but faith is a stronger force than you could posibly understand apparently!
cj
May 31st, 2012
1:18 pm
LBW-the first step is to be born again (John 3), then if you ask God, He will grant you the wisdom to “test the spirits to see if they are of God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world”
We are commanded in Scripture to “forsake not the assembling of yourselves together”. We are also instructed to watch and be careful, to pray, seek the Lord and be aware of false teaching. We are living in the End Times, which is why there are so many confusing teachings. The Lord doesn’t want us to be confused, which is why He gave us His holy Word to study and know the Truth. Don’t believe everything you hear, but be saved, study the Word and have true discernment as to what is right and what is wrong. God will show you.
Tom
May 31st, 2012
1:23 pm
And here’s a final score from West Virginia……Darwin 1, Moonbats 0
Stay tuned for “NightLine”…..
Mike
May 31st, 2012
1:24 pm
The Lord told the disiciples they would take up serpents,but I don’t think he ever mean’t doing it as a show in church, more than likely he means out in the mission field,when confronted by heathens or some other situation.
Mike
May 31st, 2012
1:27 pm
Tom and other unbelivers, don’t mock,its for real, you will know for certain,about 5 seconds after you die.
jw
May 31st, 2012
1:35 pm
So – did he go to heaven or hell? We will have to wait awhile on that one, I guess. If I remember my country church rearing, him being bit by the vipers was a lack faith – death was considered no faith in God’s word at all.
I’m like the rest of you – kinda stupid to allow this to happen – there are many more ways to prove your love to Christ and do prove his works than kissing serpents! LOL! I kinda like the old testament view of bruising your heel trying to kill them.
Not too bright if you ask me!
Tom
May 31st, 2012
1:42 pm
Mike, there have been over 2,700 unique entities in recorded history (that is, that we know of…going back to the earliest writings of the Sumerians)…that meet the definition of a ‘god’ or ‘goddess’. Each just as ‘valid’ or ‘true’ as any other, based simply on who you asked and when.
Over 2,700….and I bet I only believe in one fewer of them than do you.
For God so loved the world
May 31st, 2012
1:42 pm
“So I guess we shouldn’t take the Bible, literally?”
False! The Bible is absolutely to be taken literally IN CONTEXT. So many people both Christian and non-believers try to cherry-pick verses out of the Bible to prove a point.
Christ was in no way telling anyone to go grab some poinsonous snakes just for kicks. If you study the Bible in the words preceding Mark16:17-19, you will find conditions for the events Jesus decribes to occur. On the other hand there are certainly many miracles that happen still TODAY for those who abide in Christ.
jw
May 31st, 2012
1:49 pm
Being alive today is the greatest miracle of all.
IF
May 31st, 2012
1:52 pm
This is another example of people twisting scripture. Mark 16:18 “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” means that God will give you power over your enemies! This type of behavior tests God, Luke 4:12 says “…’Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” We have to continue to seek Him for knowledge and understanding. God Bless!
Imnewhere
May 31st, 2012
1:54 pm
Snake 1 – Man 0
Imnewhere
May 31st, 2012
1:56 pm
Correction: Snake 2 – Man 0
Saintmarks
May 31st, 2012
1:57 pm
Went thru the whole of the responses to find a sensible one, the last one I see above is from For God So Loved the World. The passage from Mark 16 is literal in that Paul did get bit by a serpent and God’s power was there to keep it from harming him. Paul didn’t go out of his way to hold up serpents in meetings.
The anti-Christian penchant is alive and well in many of these responses. I don’t understand why, but simple minded people will look at a rogue “pastor” like this (Westboro Baptist folks are another example) and besmirch all the good done by sincere, Godly pastors of all stripes and denominations who help people and make their communities better.
Folks that do such have an issue with God themselves and hide behind this kind of story instead of dealing with their own spiritual shortcomings.
carla
May 31st, 2012
2:18 pm
These people have mental issues. What an idiot!
Braves#17 Fan
May 31st, 2012
2:19 pm
@Saintmarks – You certainly nailed it with your statement about the anti-Christian penchant in today’s “anything goes” society. Today’s young people need to quit grinning, nodding and accepting everything Hollywood throws our way, and reconsider who they look up to as role models.
Quagmire
May 31st, 2012
2:22 pm
Where’s the part where Jesus makes water into wine……………………………..let’s get the party started
joey
May 31st, 2012
2:25 pm
SSSsssssssstupid ssuxer!
Thud
May 31st, 2012
2:27 pm
Here you go, Quagmire. John 2:1-11
Larry the Cable Guy
May 31st, 2012
2:39 pm
Now thats funny I dont care who ya are..
Larry the Cable Guy
May 31st, 2012
2:43 pm
The Scripture says “They shall take up serpents”. First thing you have to ask yourself is who is “They”.. Obviously he wasnt one of “Them”…
Tom
May 31st, 2012
2:56 pm
Larry, the “they” were obviously mongooses….er….mongeese?
Not Disappointed!
May 31st, 2012
3:03 pm
Pride can get the best of us! This is really sad!
jon
May 31st, 2012
3:07 pm
estupida, muy estupida, gringo!!
jon
May 31st, 2012
3:08 pm
estupida,, muy estupida gringo!
Larry the Cable Guy
May 31st, 2012
3:09 pm
Mongooses live in southern Asia, Africa, and southern Europe, as well in Puerto Rico and some Caribbean and Hawaiian islands, where they are an introduced species.
jon
May 31st, 2012
3:12 pm
only white people.!!! it doesnt surprise me tho. im still getting over the crocodile hunter and the stingray. white people leave nature alone,. certain things are supposed to be viewed from a distance, not everything is mean to be picked up. shame on him for the 2nd time , he had a clear example from his daddy getting bitten. then to add insult to injury he attempts to self medicate instead seeking professional help, him STOOPID. lol.
Bonnie Smith
May 31st, 2012
3:16 pm
The Bible chapter about snake handling is Mark 16. Jesus came back to tell the Apostles that
they will do signs and miracles in His name, to show people what faith could do. The Acts chapter tells what the Apostles did after Jesus’ ascension into heaven.
To me, there’s a big dif. between Jesus + the Apostles, and a preacher 2,000 years later. But I guess
this man could not see that. I wish he had not died, but maybe God understands him.
Larry the Cable Guy
May 31st, 2012
3:17 pm
Yep,, no Mongooses in West Virginia. Just Idiots LOL…
Quagmire
May 31st, 2012
3:17 pm
Ok Preachers in waiting, who wants to step up and seize this opportunity to become the next minister of our church………….show of hands…………….awe, no one. We promise to use grasssnakes next time
creative
May 31st, 2012
3:20 pm
Jon, I agree. Black people never do anything stupid. This story is awesome though. The comedy writes itself. No I’m gonna go read my book about Jesus’ journey to North America to hang out with Indians. Romney only slightly better than Obama. America F yeah!!!!
creative
May 31st, 2012
3:21 pm
Oh also, Hail Zeus!!! I’m going back to the Greek god system
Mr.SouthMetroAtl
May 31st, 2012
3:29 pm
Stupid is as stupid does……first the father and now the son.
I can imagine his papa will be shaking his head in disgust outside the Pearly Gates when he see this one arrive. He may ask, “Boy, didn’t you learn nothing from what happened to me.!”
creative
May 31st, 2012
3:33 pm
Jon, Go two stories up and read the article about Gucci Mane. Next go back to your post and replace white with black. It works just as well. Thanks for the laugh bro.
Chris
May 31st, 2012
3:45 pm
“But faith, which has never actually moved a mountain, has a way of moving people away from reality.”
No questions, this guy got what he had coming, but how about keeping your opinions to yourself on the issue of faith. The vast majority of people believe in something greater than themselves, and it in no way moves them from reality.
Elephant Man
May 31st, 2012
3:49 pm
Saw this on “1000 ways to die” on Spike tv. We’ll name this particlar way to die as “phil snakson”.
Turtle Man
May 31st, 2012
3:51 pm
LIVE ACTION!!! Aye, Aye, Aye!!!
chris
May 31st, 2012
3:52 pm
BWAAAAAAHAHHAHAHHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry…
So not funny.
Aw heck, YES IT IS!!!!!
ROTF!!!!
Antonio
May 31st, 2012
4:23 pm
I sho wish i could go to this funeral because I would walk around the casket and SLAP THIS DUMB DONKEY IN HIS FACE!!!!! JUST PLAIN OUT RIGHT STUPID!!!!
Susan
May 31st, 2012
4:29 pm
WOW!
Raheem
May 31st, 2012
4:49 pm
“He and other adherents cited Mark 16:17-18 as the reason for their practice: “And these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents;…”
I’m just thinking out loud here, but since the good book doesn’t specifically prescribe poisonous serpents why couldn’t you use, for example, a garter snake? I’m guessin the preachers like to use the venomous ones for dramatic effect to excite their devotees.
dirty south bird
May 31st, 2012
4:50 pm
THOU SHALT NOT TEMPT THE LORD OUR G-D
rlm
May 31st, 2012
4:54 pm
I agreed this is a primitive not well thought out form of religion but to comment LOL when someone dies is not only primitive but savage as well. At least try to comment in a civilized manner an do not show yourself as a complete cretin. He may have a child who accesses this news report.
tab
May 31st, 2012
4:54 pm
how stupid is all I have to say!!!
The Realist
May 31st, 2012
5:02 pm
RIP Brother!
Fred
May 31st, 2012
5:08 pm
Enter your comments here
Fred
May 31st, 2012
5:09 pm
God sez “Don’t try me, sucker!”
Ralph
May 31st, 2012
5:16 pm
What happened to the snake? Was it put to death? Hope not.
wisconsinfalcons fan
May 31st, 2012
5:37 pm
Amen R6
commonsense
May 31st, 2012
5:39 pm
“How do you like me now?” -Darwin
B. Scott
May 31st, 2012
5:43 pm
There’s stupid, then there’s STUPID!!!!!!
RGB
May 31st, 2012
6:29 pm
“But faith, which has never actually moved a mountain, has a way of moving people away from reality.”
Perhaps your faith hasn’t.
But your careless slight to the Sovereign of the Universe says a lot about your understanding of God.
One question: Who do you think made the mountains?
commonsense
May 31st, 2012
6:32 pm
@RCG, actually, volcanoes and the shifting of tectonic plates made the mountains. C+ for effort though!
debdoes
May 31st, 2012
6:40 pm
he shoulda stuck with original lyrics…Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition…Dixie Chicks
Mr.Humble
May 31st, 2012
7:02 pm
I have never understood these “snake-handlers”. This is what comes from literal and individual interpretation of holy books. The author of this article makes a mistake when referring to such acts as “faith”. There is a big difference between faith and foolishness. God gave us some mush between our ears called brains. We are allowed to use it. True faith is guided by wisdom.
washillbilly
May 31st, 2012
7:02 pm
I live in Georgia but raised in WV and thought this area was familar – dang, its in my mamas’ back yard!! but I cant blame the preacher. the web site for the “Panther Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia” is PET FRIENDLY!
JN
May 31st, 2012
7:02 pm
The verse in the Bible that speaks of handling serpents and is always listed by snake handlers as the reasoning behind their actions is actually included in a speech given by Jesus Christ to his 11 disciples. He is commissioning them to go out in to the world and spread the Word about Jesus Christ. He is telling them all the ways people will be able to recognize that they are disciples of Christ. The passage is specific to that period in time and is not intended to be applied broadly to every believer of Christ over the ensuing 2000 years. So the issue seems to be misinterpretation. It is misplaced faith that moves people away from reality, not faith in and of itself. I am guessing George Mathis is an atheist.
washillbilly
May 31st, 2012
7:06 pm
I live in Georgia but was born in WV. i thought this place sounded familar so I looked it up on the map – dang if it aint my Moms back yard. But I cant blame the preacher. I looked up ” Panther Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia” and found its web site and it says it is “PET FRIENDLY”. Just saying…..
Hetch Hetchy
May 31st, 2012
9:11 pm
George Mathis writes, “But faith, which has never actually moved a mountain, has a way of moving people away from reality.”
I find this statement both funny and arrogant. Arrogant in the sense that Mathis lives in his reality, as we all live in our own respective realities.
In quantum theory, something can be in multiple places at the same time. This is also “reality.”
Our universe may be one of an infinite number of universes. In this scenario, everything is possible.
All I’m saying is there is no reason for a “reporter” to take a snarky attitude toward people that have “faith.” I certainly don’t.
Bigred
May 31st, 2012
9:27 pm
Dumb de dumb dumb! DUNB
WalterEgo
May 31st, 2012
9:41 pm
And this guy gets to go to heaven? Send me elsewhere.
W
I JUST DON'T GET IT
May 31st, 2012
9:44 pm
Religion, faith & the Bible, so misunderstood. These so called religious people are scary to me. God did give man a BRAIN, it’s up to him to use it.This is just like people who won’t get blood transfusions and/or seek medical treatment for illnesses. I don’t think there is anywhere in the Bible where God says let man be STUPID. May he rest in peace, my condolences to his family. Sad that he has died.
Ben Dover
May 31st, 2012
10:04 pm
how many followers does he have now
David
May 31st, 2012
10:34 pm
I myself am a bible believing Christian but I find it very hard to not say way to go to the snake.While the bible says to have faith in God and he will protect you,God himself say that we as Christians should behave in a responsible manner. This was a very irresponsible way to behave. I also do not believe that Grace covers all forms of stupidity all the time.
DawgNole
May 31st, 2012
10:52 pm
gagirl
May 31st, 2012
10:16 am
Who gets bitten by a rattlesnake and then goes home to chill????
_______________________
A dumbazz who thinks his “faith” will protect him.
DawgNole
May 31st, 2012
10:54 pm
Russ
May 31st, 2012
10:30 am
How do you know the walls of Jericho didn’t tumble down because of a people’s faith and obedience?
___________________
How do you know they did?
DawgNole
May 31st, 2012
10:56 pm
Curious and Confused
May 31st, 2012
10:52 am
Even if we don’t agree with his beliefs or interpretation of the Bible (and many of you don’t believe in the Bible in any sense as indicated in your responses), we don’t have to mock him in his death. Seriously, have some respect for someone.
___________________
Kinda like he had respect for that snake?
DawgNole
May 31st, 2012
11:00 pm
Jason
May 31st, 2012
12:17 pm
At least he died doing what he believed was true. Most of us don’t stand for anything anymore. No matter how foolish his snake handling beliefs were he stood by them.
____________________
I guess that left him dead right, by God.
RealityChek
May 31st, 2012
11:05 pm
Everyone ….particularly christians know this bible nonsense is mere mythology….Even the gullible christians don’t believe this baloney…Christians go to church every week for socializing purposes and nothing more. They would get the same results without the silliness of “prayers” which they know full well is bunk. A cancer patient who is destined to live will live without “any prayers”…whatsoever….A cancer patient who is doomed to die can “pray until her last breath”…but it won’t do the old gal a bit of good…Everyone knows that religions….and yes chriistianity,too…are utter nonsense and is the very reason ignorant people do …quite stupid things…..There are no gods, no devils, no demons, no angels, no heavens save the natural one of the universe and no hells except in the outrageously silly minds of those who pursue delusion as if it had value….There is no “Stupid Heaven” …where idiots go…..for surely if there were….this man would be re-united with his “Silly Pa”..
And this is what one can expect from such a silly religion…..Religions truly poison everything….even rattlesnakes….the function of this snake was “poisioned” by the lunacy of religion.
DawgNole
May 31st, 2012
11:07 pm
The Believer
May 31st, 2012
12:41 pm
Politics, and religion – 2 biggest scams in the world!
_____________________
Bingo!
DawgNole
May 31st, 2012
11:10 pm
Mike
May 31st, 2012
1:27 pm
Tom and other unbelivers, don’t mock,its for real, you will know for certain,about 5 seconds after you die.
__________________
Five seconds? You sure about that? I heard it was 7.8 seconds.
DawgNole
May 31st, 2012
11:19 pm
rlm
May 31st, 2012
4:54 pm
At least try to comment in a civilized manner an do not show yourself as a complete cretin. He may have a child who accesses this news report.
__________________
One can only hope his child is smarter than his father’s child.
DawgNole
June 1st, 2012
12:22 am
I wish more people would post so I could respond some more. It’s a slow night for me and, as a non-believer, this is all I’ve got going in my life.
Edwin
June 1st, 2012
5:07 am
Thus spoke Russ (3rd page or so into the comments)
“But I also believe as a born-again Christian that miracles, signs, and wonders did happen just as the Bible described. How do you know the walls of Jericho didn’t tumble down because of a people’s faith and obedience?”
I don’t say they did. You said it, you prove it. How do you know it wasn’t the prayers of a small band of chaos cultists being bored and decided it was fun to make those walls tumble?
Edwin
June 1st, 2012
5:12 am
Why do people do stuff because it says so in a book? Suppose it says “kill your son to proof your faith in me”. No one in their right mind would do that. So whether it says you can handle snakes or not (depending on your interpretation), just don’t. It really is that simple.
In general, “I do or don’t do X because it says so in holy book Y or ideological manual Z” is the lamest, stupidest justification for any action or decision. It should get you submitted to psychiatric care instantly.
Stephen Livingston
June 1st, 2012
5:42 am
There is having faith in the Lord – which is why he gave us the knowledge to avoid poisonous vipers. What a Bozo.
baden-baden
June 1st, 2012
6:30 am
My Southern Literature professor told the class one time that the Pentecostals and Primitives embraced a literal interpretation of the Gospel because they weren’t bright enough to catch on to the bigger picture…don’t know if that’s true, but it killed this idiot preacher graveyard dead.
Braves #17 Fan
June 1st, 2012
6:58 am
I don’t understand those who get a kick out of this. No matter how stupid he was, it’s just not a natural reaction for me to scoff and laugh at this man’s death. This really happened and wasn’t just a scene in some Hollywood movie.
Reginald Wells
June 1st, 2012
7:31 am
This was just an act of pride, not an act of faith. He just wanted to show people his own power and trust in himself. What was the real purpose of doing this? That people will flock to you and not really God? This is once again the media being selective and pointing out the stupidity of people but not the true Body of Christ. The scripture was completely taken out of context! None of the disciple had to “prove themselves” in this manner! Let’s see how many stories show up of the church doing the right thing in a week nowadays……….Zero!!!!!!!!!
Call It Like It Is
June 1st, 2012
7:37 am
And his last words were “Hey Bubba watch this”
Chode McBlob
June 1st, 2012
8:36 am
That’s because hi non existant God can’t help him. I’ll bet he was counting on that fantasy God to save him.You can’t fix stupid!
NELSCO
June 1st, 2012
8:39 am
And his last words were “Hey Bubba watch this”.
Funny or not, this is FUNNY…!!!
Josh Smith for 3
June 1st, 2012
2:06 pm
@Darwin
I believe that sums it up perfectly
Rick
June 3rd, 2012
9:30 pm
And the Darwin Award goes to….
Mark
June 4th, 2012
1:24 pm
Him and his Dad… Hopefully we got this one BEFORE he bred. A little clorine in the gene pool.
big red
June 5th, 2012
10:35 am
Everyyear there are millions of Earthlings bitten by poisonous snakes around the world. According to the WHO there are over 100,000 that die and this man thinks he is immune to the death threat. probably also voted for Obama.