Serpent-handling believers

by Thomas G. Burton

In some remote churches in East Tennessee and nearby states, Jesus' words in the sixteenth chapter of Saint Mark are taken literally: "and they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them." Members of these churches describe themselves as Pentecostal-Holiness, autonomous groups of Christians with strong traditional religious views and a fundamentalist approach to biblical interpretation. Their strong faith is based largely on personal experience. Handling serpents and fire, laying on the hands of healing, speaking in tongues, and drinking poison are seen as acts of Christian obedience that demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit. In the past these very religious people have often been distorted by the media as members of a "snake religion" or a "snake cult" because of their unorthodox beliefs and practices. Thomas Burton seeks to present a more balanced view of this generally misunderstood group in this in-depth study of serpent handlers and their religious culture. Using both oral history and scholarly research, Burton traces the evolution of Christian serpent handling from its apparent beginning in East Tennessee and explores legal and ethical issues associated with this and other unorthodox practices, allowing participants to speak for themselves through personal interviews. The result is both a dramatic presentation, through vivid photography, and a thorough analytical insight into the serpent handlers' culture.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

208 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 1993

Reviews

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serpent Handling Believers by Thomas Burton (University of Tennessee Press 1993)(289.9). This is a sympathetic account of a number of small pentecostal churches in East Tennessee that practice serpent handling as part of their worship services. It explores the believers' faith and is filled with firsthand accounts of signs and wonders. My rating: 7/10, finished 2000. My copy is a PB from McKay's that I purchased 6/16. PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[Richard Bartholomew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a sympathetic account of the phenomenon of Pentecostal serpent-handling and associated practices such as poison-drinking and fire resistance. The book looks at the subject from various perspectives - there is a historical overview, including a biography of George Hensley and "portraits" of several practitioners; a discussion of legal opposition the practice has faced; and a consideration of sociological, psychological and physiological aspects (parapsychology also gets a reference). There is also a very full bibliography, and many fascinating and striking photographs. However, it remains an overview rather than a definitive treatment.

The author is keen to stress that serpent-handlers are not abnormal or backward, and he wonders why there is so much hostility against them as compared with other risk-taking activities.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Respectful and insightful approach to the practice of snake-handling in some pentecostal churches.