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and I almost laughed out loud. I caught myself in time when I realized this man was serious. According to him, he could have enough faith in God to pick up the poisonous rattlesnake and if it bit him, it would not hurt him at all.
• According to their religion, when they are truly "in the Spirit," they have the power to pick up a poisonous rattlesnake, and if it bites you, it will not hurt you. They keep the basket containing a rattlesnake in the front of the church for when such an occasion arises. I was

hoping it would not arise during my time in the pulpit. All during my sermon, I could not help casting a wistful eye in the general direction of the basket next to the pulpit.
• At one point, I thought I did see the basket move.
• I yelled at this point, which excited the congregation thinking I had gotten "in the spirit," and then everybody cast a wistful eye in the direction of the basket.
• I respect other people's views on everything, I suppose. However, there are some things I have difficulty wrapping my tired brain around. This has to be one of them. How you can pull the bit about the rattlesnake out of that verse of Scripture and ignore the rest of it is really beyond me.
• Religion will make you do many silly things that has no sanity behind it. Many people just go through the motions not really knowing why they are doing what they are doing.
• At least the snake handlers have a little bit of excitement in their services. Nothing I want to experience, but then who am I to criticize.
• I rest my faith upon the Scripture. Particularly, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17 KJV).
• My faith keeps me away from poisonous rattlesnakes.
• The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.
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