The Snake Salvation TV show just took a stunning turn when Cody Coots, the son of the pastor who just perished from snake bite, said he would continue on in his father’s steps.
In a related report by The Inquisitr , pastor Jamie Coots actually refused treatment for his wound and it’s possible that’s the reason why he died. The son agrees with the father’s actions, saying, “I will lay right there and say to everyone, it’s God’s will. It’s good enough to live by, and good enough to die by.”
In fact, Coot’s dying wish told friends and family to “come to my funeral, pack my snakes, and handle them over my corpse” in his “Cadillac coffin.” While the funeral home did not allow snake handling on their premises, member of the church did in fact honor the snake handler’s last request shortly thereafter back in their own building.
Cody also said that despite his father dying from snake handling he’d still take it up once again :
“I don’t know if he would come back out of his grave and slap me clean across the face. That’s how much he believed in it. I mean he was that strong in it. He believed in it enough he died for it, so I won’t step down for anyone.”
But where exactly do snake handlers get the idea that they’re supposed to wrap their arms in dangerous, venomous snakes? A snake handler like Coots uses the Bible passage Mark 16:15-18 as justification for their dangerous craft:
“[Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.’”
The people who practice snake handling tradition would read the phrase “they will pick up” as a commandment. They almost seem to believe it’s their solemn duty to tempt death by trying out every danger listed in this particular Bible verse. Other Christians instead focus on the beginning verse, which is called the Great Commission. They believe Jesus is saying that if they follow this commandment then they will be offered protection from danger, not that they are commanded to actively seek out dangerous activities in order to prove their faith.
What do you think about the snake handlers in Snake Salvation?
