Serpent-handling Pastor Dies From Rattlesnake Bite. Yes, one of those Pentecostal nut-jobs who thinks that handling poisonous snakes is a test of his faith has come up short.

These folks belong to a sect that believes in the literal truth of Mark 16:17-18 which says:

“And these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Strange that serpent handling is popular in this context while drinking Drano and rat poison don't seem to be popular tests of faith.