Comments on: Photos of snake handlers and faith healers of the 1940s http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 21:08:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Nick Timkovich http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1314499 Nick Timkovich Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1314499 late comment, but anyone interested in Snake Handling in the Deep South should read this book: Salvation on Sand Mountain, by Dennis Covington http://www.amazon.com/Salvation-Sand-Mountain-Snake-Handling-Redemption/dp/0140254587 great book! late comment, but anyone interested in Snake Handling in the Deep South should read this book:

Salvation on Sand Mountain, by Dennis Covington
http://www.amazon.com/Salvation-Sand-Mountain-Snake-Handling-Redemption/dp/0140254587

great book!

]]> By: serpent http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1314396 serpent Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1314396  No.  No.

]]> By: Beanolini http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1314374 Beanolini Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1314374 Mortality from Indian cobra bite is certainly low enough that some people <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08897077.2011.540482" rel="nofollow">do it for kicks</a>. Mortality from Indian cobra bite is certainly low enough that some people do it for kicks.

]]> By: Anahata http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1314342 Anahata Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1314342 All fundamentalist Christians claim to take the Bible absolutely literally, but only the snake-handlers walk it like they talk it. All fundamentalist Christians claim to take the Bible absolutely literally, but only the snake-handlers walk it like they talk it.

]]> By: $19428857 http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1314262 $19428857 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1314262 A one of my favorite classic Saturday Night Live skits, from the September 2, 1976 episode  hosted by Norman Lear "Lear himself discusses his very personal relationship with Writer #456 (writer Tom Schiller), who discusses the new sitcom pitch with him. “The Snakehandling O’Sheas” features a union organizer father (Belushi), his boss/wife (Curtin), a nun for a daughter (Newman), and gay state trooper of a son (Aykroyd). Also, they’re all practicing snake handlers. This is a clever sketch and I also enjoyed how it didn’t turn Aykroyd into a stereotypical lispy gay character. ." from blog, Hot Off The Press. "The Snakehandling O'Sheas" jingle: Pop is a hardhat Mom's an exec. Sis is a nun And Junior is gay. We all live in Pittsburgh Oh, that's a cliche. What else can we say? But we'll be okay. Because we're snakehandlers (Snakehandling O'Sheas) We handle snakes. Snakehandlers (Snakehandling O'Sheas) Junior is gay. Snakehandlers (Snakehandling O'Sheas).." A one of my favorite classic Saturday Night Live skits, from the September 2, 1976 episode  hosted by Norman Lear

“Lear himself discusses his very personal relationship with Writer #456 (writer Tom Schiller), who discusses the new sitcom pitch with him. “The Snakehandling O’Sheas” features a union organizer father (Belushi), his boss/wife (Curtin), a nun for a daughter (Newman), and gay state trooper of a son (Aykroyd). Also, they’re all practicing snake handlers. This is a clever sketch and I also enjoyed how it didn’t turn Aykroyd into a stereotypical lispy gay character. .” from blog, Hot Off The Press.

“The Snakehandling O’Sheas” jingle:

Pop is a hardhat
Mom’s an exec.
Sis is a nun
And Junior is gay.

We all live in Pittsburgh
Oh, that’s a cliche.
What else can we say?
But we’ll be okay.

Because we’re snakehandlers (Snakehandling O’Sheas)
We handle snakes.
Snakehandlers (Snakehandling O’Sheas)
Junior is gay.
Snakehandlers (Snakehandling O’Sheas)..”

]]> By: zarray http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313787 zarray Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313787 Could a snake spread AIDS? Could a snake spread AIDS?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313769 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313769 You make sewing a cobra's mouth shut sound easy. You make sewing a cobra’s mouth shut sound easy.

]]> By: Wreckrob8 http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313648 Wreckrob8 Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313648 Canonicity is in the eye of the beholder. Canonicity is in the eye of the beholder.

]]> By: James Penrose http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313632 James Penrose Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313632 I try that argument on the pushier "born again" types but they have been inoculated against it:  "It is wrong to test God that way."  I've even offered to buy the bleach. I try that argument on the pushier “born again” types but they have been inoculated against it:  “It is wrong to test God that way.”  I’ve even offered to buy the bleach.

]]> By: Romeo Vitelli http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313343 Romeo Vitelli Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313343 In countries like India and Morocco, your average "snake charmer" just sews the snake's mouth shut.  The snake eventually starves to death but it looks impressive for the tourists. In countries like India and Morocco, your average “snake charmer” just sews the snake’s mouth shut.  The snake eventually starves to death but it looks impressive for the tourists.

]]> By: Jim Saul http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313266 Jim Saul Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313266 The scripture could have been more dramatic by suggesting scorpions, the brown recluse, or any number of spiders with cytotoxic venom... though it's not as easy to game flesh-destroying toxins, and necrotic ulcers wouldn't be the best means of charming new converts. The scripture could have been more dramatic by suggesting scorpions, the brown recluse, or any number of spiders with cytotoxic venom… though it’s not as easy to game flesh-destroying toxins, and necrotic ulcers wouldn’t be the best means of charming new converts.

]]> By: Jonathan Crowe http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313209 Jonathan Crowe Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313209 Roughly a third of all venomous snake bites are so-called "dry bites." In addition, the species matters. If your local signs-following church is messing about with copperheads and timber rattlesnakes, your odds are better than with cottonmouths and diamondbacks because of the species' temperament; also, copperhead venom isn't nearly as lethal, nor does it come in vast quantities, and you will almost certainly survive (though it'll hurt like hell and you may not keep all your fingers). Roughly a third of all venomous snake bites are so-called “dry bites.” In addition, the species matters. If your local signs-following church is messing about with copperheads and timber rattlesnakes, your odds are better than with cottonmouths and diamondbacks because of the species’ temperament; also, copperhead venom isn’t nearly as lethal, nor does it come in vast quantities, and you will almost certainly survive (though it’ll hurt like hell and you may not keep all your fingers).

]]> By: OgilvyTheAstronomer http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313208 OgilvyTheAstronomer Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313208 Wish they would leave the snakes alone and drink bleach instead, making the same scriptural point. Wish they would leave the snakes alone and drink bleach instead, making the same scriptural point.

]]> By: puzzlingevidence http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313207 puzzlingevidence Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313207 I think it's kinda sexy. I think it’s kinda sexy.

]]> By: Jonathan Crowe http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313206 Jonathan Crowe Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313206 Sorry, the snake in the picture is definitely a copperhead. That said, copperhead venom isn't particularly strong compared with other snakes; I've read that even cats have survived copperhead bites. Sorry, the snake in the picture is definitely a copperhead. That said, copperhead venom isn’t particularly strong compared with other snakes; I’ve read that even cats have survived copperhead bites.

]]> By: Tetsubo Kanamono http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313199 Tetsubo Kanamono Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313199 The snake in that picture is a boa. Which is less dangerous than handling a hamster. Seriously. I have been bit far more by those blind little buggers hamsters than snakes. And I've handled both extensively. Not just a fake healer... The snake in that picture is a boa. Which is less dangerous than handling a hamster. Seriously. I have been bit far more by those blind little buggers hamsters than snakes. And I’ve handled both extensively. Not just a fake healer…

]]> By: sean http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313187 sean Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313187 You have misidentified the pictures. They are from the Iowa republican caucuses a couple days ago. You have misidentified the pictures. They are from the Iowa republican caucuses a couple days ago.

]]> By: manicbassman http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313182 manicbassman Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313182 oblig sound track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aabojNSensw oblig sound track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aabojNSensw

]]> By: M Alovert http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313129 M Alovert Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313129 I spent a lot of time in North Carolina and lived 20 years ago in the woods in Madison County, the place profiled (in a fictional 100 years ago setting) in the movie Songcatcher. Once, our cats dragged in a baby copperhead, alive and writhing and now loose in the house.  Roommate called our landlord, who promptly came over with a guy from his construction crew (who was from an even more remote mountain county). The construction laborer was a member of a snake handling church, and he promptly removed the sarpent from our living room. I spent a lot of time in North Carolina and lived 20 years ago in the woods in Madison County, the place profiled (in a fictional 100 years ago setting) in the movie Songcatcher. Once, our cats dragged in a baby copperhead, alive and writhing and now loose in the house.

 Roommate called our landlord, who promptly came over with a guy from his construction crew (who was from an even more remote mountain county). The construction laborer was a member of a snake handling church, and he promptly removed the sarpent from our living room.

]]> By: cdh1971 http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313099 cdh1971 Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313099 Watch her take the pleasure from the serpent that once corrupted man.... Watch her take the pleasure from the serpent that once corrupted man….

]]> By: Roy Trumbull http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313075 Roy Trumbull Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313075  The essential thing in CS is not to give something more power than it already has. But some take it over the top resulting in tragedies that reach the news. The real reason for the church diminishing is that there's no doctrine about an afterlife. Christianity is all about pie in the sky and CS was never into it. Also it came into being when medical care was far from a sure thing. Not getting treated and getting treated were about the same thing. Medicine has improved.  The essential thing in CS is not to give something more power than it already has. But some take it over the top resulting in tragedies that reach the news. The real reason for the church diminishing is that there’s no doctrine about an afterlife. Christianity is all about pie in the sky and CS was never into it.
Also it came into being when medical care was far from a sure thing. Not getting treated and getting treated were about the same thing. Medicine has improved.

]]> By: WaylonWillie http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313060 WaylonWillie Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313060 Well, as we see here, snake handlers are one of the religious groups who it is still ok to be prejudiced against. Thomas Burton's books on snake handlers are great, should anyone be interested in a good read from someone who looks at these folks with a sympathetic eye. Well, as we see here, snake handlers are one of the religious groups who it is still ok to be prejudiced against. Thomas Burton’s books on snake handlers are great, should anyone be interested in a good read from someone who looks at these folks with a sympathetic eye.

]]> By: MrJM http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313038 MrJM Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313038 <blockquote>Photos of snake handlers and faith healers of the 1940s</blockquote> Typo: You misspelled "<i>fake</i> healers".

Photos of snake handlers and faith healers of the 1940s

Typo: You misspelled “fake healers”.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313034 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313034 I looked that up as best I could. Apparently, their mailing list in 2009 was less than half of what it was in 1996. That's some efficient attrition. I looked that up as best I could. Apparently, their mailing list in 2009 was less than half of what it was in 1996. That’s some efficient attrition.

]]> By: noen http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313021 noen Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313021 You know who else isn't around much anymore? Christian Scientists. People who believe you don't need medicine and you can pray away diseases. Not so many of them left any more. Can't imagine why that is. You know who else isn’t around much anymore? Christian Scientists. People who believe you don’t need medicine and you can pray away diseases. Not so many of them left any more. Can’t imagine why that is.

]]> By: MrEricSir http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1313011 MrEricSir Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1313011 Too bad Jenny McCarthy wasn't around in those days. Too bad Jenny McCarthy wasn’t around in those days.

]]> By: Incipient Madness http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1312993 Incipient Madness Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1312993 I always figured these people learned how to handle snakes safely and also that the snakes became tamer with each handling. Don't see how it's that much different from snake charming in India.  I always figured these people learned how to handle snakes safely and also that the snakes became tamer with each handling.

Don’t see how it’s that much different from snake charming in India. 

]]> By: galois http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1312991 galois Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1312991 There was a snake church down the road from my house. The local paramedics found it to be a real nuisance, since they were called to treat snakebites weekly. There was a snake church down the road from my house. The local paramedics found it to be a real nuisance, since they were called to treat snakebites weekly.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1312941 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1312941 Shouldn't he be wearing a g-string and pasties for that act? Shouldn’t he be wearing a g-string and pasties for that act?

]]> By: แอ็ะปปี้ http://boingboing.net/2012/01/06/photos-of-snake-handlers-and-f.html#comment-1312935 แอ็ะปปี้ Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=137733#comment-1312935 what's funny is that those lines from Mark are a late addition to the text- not in the original gospel. (Well, not that it really matters.) what’s funny is that those lines from Mark are a late addition to the text- not in the original gospel.

(Well, not that it really matters.)

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