Snakes & Scorpions In The Bible?

Snakes & Scorpions In The Bible?

Venom is poisonous, no doubt. Now while drinking poison can potentially  end any human depending on what animals bites you. The Bible takes it a step further declaring that Scorpion’s poison is also harmless.

And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any dangerous thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)

                                                                                                  
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19) 

Venomous snakes are species of specialized predators and are the suborder Serpents that are capable of producing venom, which is used primarily for immobilizing prey and defense mostly via mechanical injection by fangs. Venom contains more than 20 different compounds, mostly proteins and polypeptides.^[3] A complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, and various other substances with toxic and lethal properties ^[2] serves to immobilize the prey animal. Some species when alarmed, occasionally show some aggression, generally when alarmed or in self-defense, and then may deliver dangerous doses of venom, resulting in high human mortality rates.^{(3) (4)}  Venom typically contains an abundance of protein-degrading enzymes, called proteases, that produce symptoms such as pain, strong local swelling and necrosis, blood loss from cardiovascular damage complicated by coagulopathy, and disruption of the blood-clotting system. 

 Due to the nature of proteolytic venom, a viperid bite is often a very painful experience and should always be taken seriously, though it may not necessarily prove dangerous . Even with prompt and proper treatment, a bite can still result in a permanent scar, and in the worst cases, the affected limb may even have to be amputated. A victim's fate is impossible to predict, as this depends on many factors, including the species and size of the snake involved, how much venom was injected (if any), and the size and condition of the patient before being bitten. Viper bite victims may also be allergic to the venom and/or the anti-venom. ⁽⁵⁾ Depending on the snake that bites you, your heart could shut down; your muscles could become paralyzed; or your blood could clot so much that it no longer flows. These various effects stem from different kinds of toxins found in snake venom. Some snakes, like mambas, rattlesnakes, and cobras produce a venom rich with neurotoxins. They attack the neurotransmitters in your brain, shutting down nerve function and arresting muscle movements. Then there are cytotoxic varieties of venom, which destroy cells and entire tissues, wiping away flesh and causing tremendous pain. You can thank vipers and certain cobras, some of which don’t even need to bite you because they spit their venom. Then there are hemotoxins. They go after your blood, hurting red blood cells or inducing coagulation — turning it from a thick, healthy liquid into a spongy, goopy mess. ⁽⁶⁾  

Christians will claim (MK 7:18-19)(7) ,(Rom 14:2-3) (8) , (Acts 10:14-15) 

That Jesus cleanses all who believes in him. The verses (1 Cor 10:25) “Eat anything that is sold in the market without asking questions for conscience’ sake;”

Now although only about 25 of the 1,500 known species of scorpions can deliver stings that are dangerous to humans.  Although their neurotoxins can cause such troubling symptoms as convulsions and shortness of breath. ⁽¹¹⁾ The United Sates has only one scorpion considered deadly to humans. ⁽¹²⁾ The Bible declared that “nothing shall by any means hurt you” & “and if they drink any harmful thing, it shall not hurt them.” Which is invalid as there are definitely snakes and scorpions capable of causing harm to any believing human.

To say the least, The New Testament Bible is incorrect in it's claim of protecting the believers from poisonous animals. As a result of 

such a controversial verse, some scholars have dubbed it unlikely to have belonged to the Gospel of Mark in order to protect the health of certain individuals who choose to embark in such careless endeavors.

"Serious doubts exists as to whether these verses belong to the Gospel of Mark.  They are absent from important early manuscripts and display certain peculiarities of vocabulary, style and theological content that are unlike the rest of Mark.  His Gospel probably ended at 16:8, or its original ending has been lost.”  (From the NIV Bible Foot Notes [1], page 1528)

No evidence proves that John Mark was the sole and only author of this so called "Gospel". The same verses that inspire Christians that if they drink snake poison they will not be harmed as the Lord will protect them. Yes, people actually believe such nonsensical acts.  ^(13)  (14)  One must ask, just because this one is potentially harmful they try to conclude why it shouldn’t belong in this book? 

"about 100 passings" (2013) by Julia D., who is a journalist that has covered the snake handling churches and is writing a book on the subject.

"91 documented snake bite passings" (2015) by Paul Williamson, professor of psychology at Henderson State University and co-author of books with Ralph Hood ⁽¹⁵⁾ 

In Conclusion:  The claim has been proven wrong and it has unfortunately caused several people their precious lives, all because they had been persuaded by priests to commit such dangerous acts.