Snake-handling preacher dies from rattlesnake bite in West Virginia
He handed the snake to a parishioner and then his mother, sat down and got bitten. He died so I guess he did not really believe after all. Death is always a real possibility. I bit a snake one time, and sure enough it died. Now let all us saved folks go out and play with recluse spiders, agitated pit bulls, and murderous drugged out skinheads… while holding snakes, of course! Where’s the tasty poison?
The Church is mounting its most massive civil-religious rights campaign since the 1950’s and 60’s.
Awful woman sentenced to jail for viral racist rant
Offensive for sure, but jail time? Was it because she might have caused a riot on the subway, endangering lives (like crying fire in a crowded theater)? Or is it just a case of limiting speech that we find repugnant? I would give the devil his rights under law, knowing that such would safeguard my rights.
Teen wins right to wear ‘Jesus Is Not a Homophobe’ T-shirt to school
Does this mean that kids are also free to wear pro-life and traditional marriage shirts? I tend to doubt it.
Evangelicals respond to Catholic lawsuits: ‘We are all Catholic now’
There are so many frightening issues facing us: government incursions against religious liberty, the redefinition of marriage to include same-sex unions (polygamy will be next), the arming of robotic drones over American cities, the squeeze against tax-exemption for religious institutions, etc. We have to keep our heads about us but it is a dangerous time. What hurts the most is that many of those targeting our values are supposed to be Catholics. We must keep praying for the Church and our Country. Instead of hateful rhetoric, we should also pray for the President and his administration. The litigation, signature campaigns and other activism is necessary; but, I hope civility can be preserved.
Romney Pharmaceutical Chief’s Fundraiser Doesn’t Seem to Faze Pro-Lifers
Where do pro-lifers turn when both Democrats and Republicans resort to blood-money? It makes me weep.
Blogger Priest 
Fr Joe,
Re your first story, it always amazes me that so many take that verse, and others like it to be LITERAL, yet refuse to see that Jesus meant what He said in the latter part of John 6, and at the Last Supper. Then I wonder at the explanation that will be given, ie “It was his time, the Good Lord called him home because he’d finished the race set before him?” Or, as often happens, he did not have ENOUGH, or REAL faith… etc etc etc.
Re the Bishops stand. I am for them completely, especially having worked in Catholic hospitals and/or extended care, rehab/nursing homes/private homecare for 40+ yrs. Coming is blatant starvation/dehydration and eventually outright euthanasia unless it is stopped, and without a conscience clause, without our First Amendment Rights, it will be horrible working for anyone with a well-formed conscience, or pro-life stand. This is just the beginning, it not stopped now.
Combining this and the final two thoughts in your blog post, I have a few thoughts. Romney, which many choose to ignore, did this same mandate in 2005… he justifies it now, so do his supporters, but way back in 2005, I called him a chameleon, and I have told as many as possible about that fact, published in both the Boston Globe on 12-9-2005 and in LifeNews.com. The ONLY reason I can vote for him is because I PRAY that he will choose well for SCOTUS.
While I am very critical, my condolences and prayers (wanted or not) go out to the religious snake-handler and his family. It is a terrible tragedy. I would urge all involved with such foolishness to pick up their bibles but to leave the deadly snakes alone. It proves nothing to tempt God.