Snake handling

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'''Snake handling''' is a practice found within isolated churches, mostly in Appalachia, many of which go by the name Church Of God With Signs Following or some variant thereof.  Snake handlers reach into a box containing poisonous [[snake]]s during the worship service and handle them as a sign of their "faith".  The snake handling sects found in Appalachia are mostly off-shoots of a [[Pentecostal]] denomination, the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), where the practice began under Church of God minister George W. Hensley, and which expelled Hensley and other snake-handlers from its membership c. 1922.
 
'''Snake handling''' is a practice found within isolated churches, mostly in Appalachia, many of which go by the name Church Of God With Signs Following or some variant thereof.  Snake handlers reach into a box containing poisonous [[snake]]s during the worship service and handle them as a sign of their "faith".  The snake handling sects found in Appalachia are mostly off-shoots of a [[Pentecostal]] denomination, the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), where the practice began under Church of God minister George W. Hensley, and which expelled Hensley and other snake-handlers from its membership c. 1922.
  
The practice has been outlawed in many states (including [[Kentucky]], where most of the practitioners live).  However, most attempts at prosecution arise when children are subjected to the practice or are in danger of being orphaned due to it.  In Kentucky, several people die each year, despite their [[faith]].
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The practice has been outlawed in many states (including [[Kentucky]], where most of the practitioners live).  However, most attempts at prosecution arise when children are subjected to the practice or are in danger of being orphaned due to it.  In Kentucky, several people die each year, despite their [[faith]] (or lack thereof, as their fellow believers would probably explain it).
  
 
The practice comes from a literal reading of the sixteenth chapter of the Gospel according to Mark: ''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 deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover...'' (King James Version)
 
The practice comes from a literal reading of the sixteenth chapter of the Gospel according to Mark: ''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 deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover...'' (King James Version)

Revision as of 13:19, 31 December 2007

Snake handling is a practice found within isolated churches, mostly in Appalachia, many of which go by the name Church Of God With Signs Following or some variant thereof. Snake handlers reach into a box containing poisonous snakes during the worship service and handle them as a sign of their "faith". The snake handling sects found in Appalachia are mostly off-shoots of a Pentecostal denomination, the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), where the practice began under Church of God minister George W. Hensley, and which expelled Hensley and other snake-handlers from its membership c. 1922.

The practice has been outlawed in many states (including Kentucky, where most of the practitioners live). However, most attempts at prosecution arise when children are subjected to the practice or are in danger of being orphaned due to it. In Kentucky, several people die each year, despite their faith (or lack thereof, as their fellow believers would probably explain it).

The practice comes from a literal reading of the sixteenth chapter of the Gospel according to Mark: 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 deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover... (King James Version)

Interestingly, these verses are believed by most reputable scholars to not have been part of the original text of Mark, and so many modern Bible translations exclude them. As a result, snake handling sects tend to also follow a King James Only belief.

Quotes

  • "Sorry, Homer. I was born a snake handler and I'll die a snake handler." - Moe Szyslak.
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