i'd love to see where that's written in their book of whatever, that chapter must be a h00t! some people are sooo gullible, that they'll swallow almost anything...
Posted on 03/11/2010 4:31:27 PM PST by nickcarraway
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Holy-Snail-Sipping-Doesnt-Sit-Well-With-Authorities-87343242.html
Religious persecution is nothing new, but drinking snail juice as part of your beliefs is a bit of a stretch. But ask Charles L. Stewart, of Hialeah, and he'll tell you his practice of drinking the slimy creatures' juices in healing rituals is legit.
"I did not invent this. It's something that is part of our religion," Stewart told the Miami Herald. "It's not something meant to hurt anybody."
But state and federal authorities claim otherwise. They raided Stewart's house in January, claiming he was illegally smuggling the Giant African Snails into the country after they received complaints that his "ritual" was making people sick.
Though no charges have been filed, several agencies are investigating the case and Stewart could be hit with smuggling or customs violation charges.
Stewart, 48, practices an African religion called Ifa Orisha, which is apparently closely related to Santeria. He admitted his beliefs are a bit peculiar and shouldn't be confused with the slightly more mainstream Santeria. "What I practice is somewhat different, and that's what caused the backlash against me," he told the Herald.
The snail healing involves cutting the snails open and pouring the raw mucus into the mouths of his followers. The snails Stewart used grow to a rather large 10 inches. Like other non-native species, the snails can wreak havoc on the South Florida ecosystem, and authorities want residents to report any sightings of them.
drinking snail juice as part of your beliefs
__________________________________
Oh, YUCK
What caused the "backlash" against you is the fact that you are an insane lunatic danger to public health and the environment at large and an asshole to boot. Plus the smell of your breath after "church" would have been enough to chase the Roman legions out of Gaul.
i'd love to see where that's written in their book of whatever, that chapter must be a h00t! some people are sooo gullible, that they'll swallow almost anything...
“slightly more mainstream Santeria”
Santeria is nowhere near mainstream. This crap is way off the chart
I’m just not ready for 10” snails.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.