Holy Ghost People (01 of 06)

[kodiakfred140]

As a non-religious person, I don't think any of you have the right to critique these people, they're no crazier than any of you.

[robertschelly]

They are doing better than the best they can. It takes great intensity of faith to surmount the natural fear of handling a nice big upset rattler. Take a good look at the old photos; the look in their eyes. It's not easily done.

The Internet has bred millions of callow, instant experts and cynics. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

[dorothy41480]

Joe (my great uncle) was actually bitten many times by snakes, and didn't die until 1997 at the age of 75 from Alzheimer's. He didn't drink or do drugs as has been suggested by earlier comments.

As far as the "speaking in tongues" portion, I am not a Christian but I have studied many languages. With the cadence and enunciations it would definitely appear that they are actually speaking another language. I know that Joe did not study any other languages. So maybe they are onto something? :) 

[Acemarksman20]

athephi... you seem to proud of being hellbound... you shouldn't at all.

[oshun1235]

Not true...to the person that wrote about Catholics not speaking in tongues...I am a Catholic Charasmatic, we speak in tongues...phrophesize and practice laying on of the hands...we are slain by the spirit...also if you read your bible the early Jews in Jesus' time spoke in tongues and were shocked when the Gift of The Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles (who were considered dogs) and started speaking in tongues.

[010guitarguy]

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitu

[megasuperawesomezach]

I am a pentecostal, but my church doesnt do anything like this. The only way we are different from Baptist churches, is that we speak in tounges. I think when you play with snakes and drink poison, your basically playing with God! This is going to the EXTREME with your belifs. If I was in a church that did that, I would crap myself twice and I would find someplace to get. I love Jesus, but I aint fixin to pick up no snake.

[teddy1066]

All Christians should drink poison and handle snakes.  Amen to that!

[Igottheholyghost1]

Hi there, just wanted to say that I am a pentecostal and i speak in tongues. I've never heard of snake handling or poison drinking. I will say that speaking in tongues is very real and I can NOT do it o command. I don't memorize something and I don't pretend. I prayed and talked to God and told him I wanted the Holy Ghost and I wanted to make it to Heaven. I told Him I'd do anything to make it there and to just show me and He did. Holy Ghost requires repentance and getting deep in prayer.

[corthew]

@Igottheholyghost1 When the disciples spoke in tongues, everyone heard them in their own language.

But later, when the churches that Paul wrote letters to were doing it, Paul noticed no-one could understand them so he required a translator for the person speaking in tongues.

But I've been in Pentecostal churches and unlike the "unsaved" people from different countries who understood every word the disciples said, it sounded like gibberish to me.

And no translator was present.

[20perdida]

I was quick to judge but read The Serpent Handlers: Three Families and Their Faith by Fred W. Brown, which I picked up at the Museum of Appalachia in Knoxville, TN. I took a course on Appalachian History while at university, but it wasn't until I read this book that I came to appreciate and respect their beliefs. Being from Appalachia myself, I thought they gave us a 'bad name'. Whether it's growing older or becoming secure in my own beliefs, I can now look on these people with understanding.

[BrutishYetDelightful]

What I never could understand is this: if the speaking in tongues is truly divinely inspired, why don't Catholics or Jews (or anybody else) do it, too? Does God not care about anybody that isn't a fireball pentecostal from way out in Appalachia? I'm sorry, folks, but I think speaking in tongues is learned behavior for two reasons:

1) nobody else does it (no Baptists, Jews, Catholics, Methodists, no one)

2) I can do it on command. I learned it from a pentecostal neighbor when I was a kid.

[a0eoj]

I also met the Holy Ghost when I was 13. I met Her in a dream; she had really big hooters. She's satisfied me every night ever since. Hallelujah!

[a0eoj]

Glory glory hallelujah, thank-ya Jezeus! Okay let's get serious; who's got the beer and pot?

[wardenphil]

@KleineBrogel Yes, and multiple times a week.

[1133HB]

I'm pentecostal and there is no way I'm handling a snake, that's tempting God. When the Bible says they shall drink posion or take up serpents and it won't hurt them, that is only when the situation is inevitable or by accident NOT by their own purpose. Why can't people understand that? Thank you Jesus!

[maloypreach]

@1133HB Today we understand that handling a snake would be tempting God. Obviously, in their ignorance these believers had faith in what God said in Mark 16:18 and didn't notice the word "if" before the clause about drinking deadly things. In spite of their ignorance, God worked in supernatural ways among them because they were committed to Him. That is a sad contrast to the Pent. Church of today. Today, Pentecostals hardly speak in tongues; and Pent. preachers rarely, if ever preach the HG.

[wardenphil]

@1133HB I was asked one time (by a pentecostal) if I would pick up a serpent if God asked me to. My response was that, if God commanded me to do so then I must obey Him - but that so far he hasn't, so I haven't.

[TheEruditepolymath]

proof that religion is a mental illness

[Nevyfling]

google Doe's Account.

[MensaManagement]

Alcohol is poison.

[sciencealwayswins]

@MensaManagement Alcohol is significantly less dangerous than Strychnine and arsenic.

[MsAnthropy82]

don't drink alcohol but drink poison?

[wardenphil]

I don't mean to pass judgement of other people's religious beliefs, but I do have a problem with 4:45 and 6:00.

God is steadfast in his promises to us - He NEVER fools with anyone.

[Lolajean28]

Why do so many people make fun of what they don't understand? And why do some people think that ALL pentecostal's handle snakes?! I'm Pentecostal and I've never handled a snake in my life!

[thegamerhq1]

I'm a pentecostal and I've had the opposite experience. I'm asked "Why don't ALL Pentecostal's handle snakes?" as stated in Mark 16:17-18.

[uckhigh]

it desnt men literally figuratively as to say casting out demons

[mrsevans1000]

Where can I find a church like this?

[musclemaggg]

in Finland.

[uckhigh]

in gary indiana

[mrsevans1000]

@uckhigh Thank you!

[cartonhead]

these people are all brothers ans sisters

[MasterSysop]

Did he say that the holy ghost was a ball of fire that rolls on the ground and sounds like a car horn? Why doesnt that hill billy remember how many rooms are in his trailer?

[brightbite]

You know, if this were a doc about voodoo, or something else, everyone would be saying, "Wow, cool!" They would not be saying that the people are stupid or retarded, or anything else. Show a little respect, people. These people are just doing the best they can.

[athephi]

Thanks; even as a Hellbound atheist, I'm actually quite happy to see someone make this comment. I tend to agree.

[brightbite]

You're not hell-bound if you don't want to be. The fact that you have uploaded this leaves a little room for Jesus, now doesn't it? But I'm glad you liked the comment- somebody had to say it, you know?

[maloypreach]

@brightbite I agree! The problem I have with the doc. is that in 1961 there were a number of Pentecostals who had Ph.Ds. Why didn't they include educated people in this doc.?

[dumbamerica]

JFC!..scary, stupid, inbreed, hillbilly freaks...when the holy ghost enters y'all, do y'all have orgasms?...and when you take up serpents, do y'all take 'em up your asses?...'cause that seems kinda gay..and we all know how much y'all hate queers.

[pn2543]

Thanks and praise for posting this film! I saw it 15 years ago at a film festival and was really struck at the description of the Holy Ghost and the similarities to experiences in other religions like Kundalini. The Holy Ghost is the secret to true religion and folks in small rural churches may well know more about it than all the mega-church preachers put together.

[Diva1908]

I just thank and Praise God for you posting this video..this is the most accurate,truthful and beautiful response when explaining the Gift of The Holy Ghost. This man probably didn't even know that many years later this video would help people all amoung the world who are seeking THE TRUTH!i just praise and thank the Lord,my soul is just rejocing while listening to this video!!!the power of the Holy Ghost is amazing!

[FergusonTO35]

This is a real gold mine for the historian and sociologist. Holiness followers have been so persecuted that they seldom allow their services to be filmed. I'm not a Holiness Christian myself, but I can say that Holiness is a stabilizing, life affirming force for many who practice it.

[Brandino3of4]

Ok people should not judge this because you don't know how great it is I have been born and raised Pentecostal and getting the Holy Ghost is the best thing that has happened to me so go get it and then try saying where crazy.

[perfectbark]

See the documentary Jesus Camp for insight into this behavior. It can be found on youtube in an 8 part series.

Further, speak out against religious extremism and related phenomena. These poor people live in a world of darkness and ignorance. Very sad....

[roddyjojo]

What a gig this would have been. This documentary is great.

The guitar jam, it's outta sight. Kinda like Hendrix but strippd back.

I dig the close knit deal, no pigs, everyone's mellow then they start tripping and spacing out, grooving on those crazy snake vibes.

Those reptiles are wild and the clothes are a bit square. But I guess this show was before the Haight-Ashbury.

Fuck Woodstock man, fuck Altamount, the Appalachian snake handling churches are where the real hip cats still survive.

[RossingtonMichael]

"outta sight"?

"..dig"?

"grooving out"?

who are you trying to kid old man? get back to dying so our generation can forget about you old fucks.

[HaloGhost]

Wow. I heard stories about this church from my mother, who, as a child, could hear the strangeness pouring out. Scrabble Creek is in the town of Gauley Bridge, and my grandmother still lives in Scrabble Creek. That place was my second home growing up. And to see this documentary now, it looks like a completely different planet. In the opening scenes, I can pick out where everything is located. At 2:59, that's the REAL church in Gauley Bridge.

[musicianforjesus]

I'm in the same County as Gauley Bridge. Does that church still exist and practice the same beliefs today or do you know?

[HaloGhost]

That church is long gone now. I'm not sure when they closed their doors. But I know it wasn't there when I was growing up (in the 1980s). I'll have to ask my grandmother for the official date.

[davy75az]

The church still exists in Scrabble Creek, just not in the same location.Not nearly half as many members and they only meet on Friday nights and the second Sunday of the month. Michael Lanham is the pastor now. He is the son -in -law of the first pastor, Rev. Elza O. Preast

[musicianforjesus]

I love the testimony that the lady gives toward the end as far as how she received the baptism of the Holy Ghost but I can't imagine the same Jesus that I have served for 12 years and others that I know have served longer then I've been on earth leading someone to handle a snake. When Jesus said this in the book of Mark he meant that He would protect His children from harm not from tempting Him as the bibe instructs us not to do.

[RossingtonMichael]

the bible says alot of crazy crazy things, maybe you should give up the fantasy world and think for yourself?

I know it's scary, YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR UNIVERSE.

[preacher8907]

you tool of satan quit lying GOD IS IN CONTROL

[RossingtonMichael]

if god were in control, than why wouldn't he silence me himself. either he doesn't want me silenced, or he can't silence me. Either way you are either going against god's will, or following an imaginary god. There is no god, you control your own world.

[MrSaundersc]

Psalm 8:4: 4what is man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that Thou dost visit him?

[Leomarth]

Remember, oh thou followers of the Christ, bring your snakes to Church!

[jwt81105]

okay.. this isnt the pentecost beliefs that i know... i'm pentecost and i have NEVER EVER handle snakes... we do speak in tounges and shout but no snakes... or poison... this is kinda scary!

[Acos62]

i agree with you im pentecostal but this is weird like frreko weird snakes ok the holy spirit is not in the snakes isnt that weird wut church do u go to

[slightlymentholated]

speaking in tongues ISN'T weird?

[Diandre22]

sad...........................­......

[Diandre22]

sad people...........looking for someone to lead them around.........no brain to think on their own.

[pikalikmario]

Appalachian inbreeding

[Elkahatchee9]

How come there's not ONE instance recorded in the Bible of Jesus himself handling snakes?

Instead, we find Jesus reminding us of the Old Testament admonition, "Thou shall not tempt the Lord your God."

It's all false anyway, snake handling or not. Stop looking to the skies for help...the only power to enect change in YOUR life is within YOU alone.

[jfe1933]

the biblical back up for their practice is through the bible. the bible says that if you believe in jesus that snakes could bite you and you would not die

[ccress07]

holiness way is the only way.

thank god for my church & for forgiveness!!

[fvertk]

Nope, not the only way. It's the way you may have grown up believing in, and that's okay, but many others are definitely going to be able to live without "holiness" just fine.

[twobitteeple]

It's like an older version of jesus camp...scary

[Madisonmofo]

I saw this in an intro to Anthro class in college...Glad to find it here.

[MistofRain752]

Thank you so much for sharing this on YouTube. I never went to a snake church but heard my great grandmother did and my uncle was saved in one. Both never handled the snakes during the services.

[Oct31st1517]

Notice what the gentleman says at about 6:20-6:30. The other churches didn't have what HE WANTED. Pentecostalism is man, emoyional, entertainment centered, rather than bible God centered.

[ccress07]

it's bible God centered. It's what you call PREACHING [fire & brimstone].. OUR precher's don't sugarcoat it for anyone.

how dare you speak badly of a god oriented church anyways.

[Oct31st1517]

Sir, I was raised pentecostal and have studied it's history. It bears no resembelance to the church we find in the book of acts. Pentecostalism is a lie! I used to speak in modern day tongues. But when I became a man, I put away childish things.

[fvertk]

You're right, and I respect you for finding that out. Personally, I look at all these religions with contradicting messages, yet still feel a "holy ghost" and it seems very obvious that the holy ghost is mental. It appears that most of our religious beliefs are what we WANT to believe, while disregarding things that prove it false.

[ccress07]

btw, I'm not a "Sir".

:)

Just thought I should point that out!

[Oct31st1517]

I was raised Pentecostal and God saved me from it.