This post wasn't intended to open up a discussion on Pentecostals, although as I mentioned to US, I had thought about some of the practices that have been coming out of that denomination. As for snake handlers, that one had not occurred to me. I think that most people in the pentecostal/charismatic churches believe that it's a ridiculous practice.

Personally, I don't know anyone that worships the Bible. I've heard that remark made before but it's not something that I've come across. I think that there are people who worship particular translations, though, i.e. KJV. You're right about Catholics, too. Praying to all those saints, for example - and the use of amulets. But, of course, we should begin with "self" and that is something that I mentioned to US; I mentioned the fact that I've seen tendencies in myself to see God as my personal magician. I do believe that humans have a tendency toward superstitious practices, too.

> Pentecostals just because they are easy
> targets. Those snake handlers US spoke of
> are Baptists, after all,even though there
> may be Pentecostals that do the same thing.
> And remember, those snake handlers are part
> of a southern cult and the southern U.S. is
> predominantly Baptist.

> It's best to be evenhanded in looking for
> animistic tendancies in Christian churches,
> such as bible worship, which is giving
> spiritual significance to a BOOK instead of
> the words IN the book. I have seen and heard
> enough of THAT particular tendency coming
> from ALL sides.

> It's not a denomination thing but more like
> a HUMAN thing. Man always looks for the
> magical to explain things because it is
> easier than faith OR thinking clearly. You
> can land real hard on Catholis too, if you
> want an easy target, but to MY way of
> thinking it is best to begin with SELF
> examination before picking apart others in
> particular.

> All I am saying is just be fair.