Serpent seed

==Mainstream Christianity==
Mainstream Christianity rejects the serpent seed view. Many different Christian groups offer systematic rebuttals of the doctrine. For example, the [[Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry]] points to Genesis 4:1<ref>{{bibleverse|Genesis|4:1}}</ref> in order to refute the doctrine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://carm.org/shepherds-chapel/the-serpent-seed-and-the-kenites/|publisher= Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry|title=The serpent seed and the Kenites|date= 6 January 2002}}</ref> Because the biblical record explicitly names Adam as the father of Cain, the teaching of the serpent seed is considered incompatible with the [[Protestant]] teaching of [[Biblical infallibility]].

{{Blockquote
|text=Now Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain...
|source=Genesis 4:1
}}

Critics argue that the doctrine foments division and fuels racism, which makes it an unhealthy belief which is incompatible with Christianity because the belief itself leads to [[sin]]. One Christian apologetics group states, "Although an idea should not be criticized when it is wrongly applied, it is appropriate to condemn an idea when it logically leads to sin. A philosophy that teaches that some races or people are universally satanic, like the serpent seed doctrine, is one such philosophy."<ref name="compel"/> Also writing on the topic, Rev. John Brisby stated, "The Serpent's Seed doctrine is the hallmark of most radical [[hate group]]s today. Whether it involves [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazis]], [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] [[American militia movement|militias]], or one of the many other white supremacist groups, most of them share this doctrine in common. How do they justify their hatred towards Jews, non-whites, and others? They believe that these people are not real people at all!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cogeternal.org/2000s/01105_1109_serpentsseedjwb.htm?gclid=CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu_-qKVGurME-cOToGyWb9TayGv4MfYMG9VxCGYK_lVW65I5FmyAdFxoC1t8QAvD_BwE|title=The Serpent's Seed Heresy|author=Brisby, John}}</ref>

Other criticisms of the doctrine point out the theological repercussions of blurring traditional Christianity's interpretation of the doctrine of [[original sin]]. The serpent seed doctrine characterizes original sin as a feature of genetic inheritance rather than a spiritual condition.<ref name="compel"/> Mainstream Christianity teaches the belief that all individuals are the spiritual children of Satan because they were born in a state of original sin. Through the act of [[Conversion to Christianity|Christian conversion]], individuals can become children of God through [[Adoption (theology)|adoption]]. The serpent seed doctrine undermines the basic teachings of Christian conversion by teaching the belief that only individuals who are descended from Adam are the inherent children of God, a belief which classifies them as the only people who do not need to convert to Christianity, while the Serpent's seedline is irredeemable.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.119ministries.com/teachings/video-teachings/detail/testing-the-serpent-seed-doctrine/|title=Testing the Serpent Seed Doctrine|publisher=119 Ministries|date=10 April 2019}}</ref>