anyone attend a church like this?

the irony is that they use the actual effects of the strychnine in their worship -- the muscle spasms and altered state of consciousness are interpreted as the holy spirit entering these people.

 

$10 says that "unknown russian pastor" is borat.

 

A snake once bit Chuck Norris, after three days of grueling agony the snake died......

Seriously though:

Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted by the devil
Matthew 4:1-11

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.
3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."
4 But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' "
7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor;
9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.' "
11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. (NRSV

 

Things like the snake handling have always struck me as either demands for proof from God that one is favored, or as demanding proof to other people that one is favored by God. Either seems pretty self-centered & arrogant to me. Motivated by pride, not faith. But that's just my opinion.

I'd like to think that any divine being would value common sense & sincere efforts to do one's own part, rather than making more work for God or demanding his/her constant personal attention.

 

Biblically speaking, the relationship between God and man is predominantly father to children, so that would fit.