snake handlers
Reptile-grasping believers
Snake handlers are members of certain Pentecostal Christian sects who handle venomous snakes during worship services as a demonstration of faith.
The practice stems from a literal interpretation of Mark 16:18: "They shall take up serpents." Snake handling is illegal in most U.S. states but persists in parts of Appalachia.
Deaths from bites occur periodically.
- serpentCunning, limbless reptile
- PentecostalTongues-speaking Christian denomination
- Holy GhostSpirit within the Trinity
- speaking in tonguesEcstatic religious vocalization
- AppalachianEastern U.S. mountain region
faith · venom · deadly poison · rattlesnake · timber rattler · revival · congregation · anointed · copperhead · holiness · worship · preacher · coils · fangs · salvation · mountain · church · testimony
- brave soulsheroes, warriors, daredevils, fighters, defenders
- Serpent LoreOuroboros, Quetzalcoatl, Rainbow Serpent, feathered serpent, Medusa
- fundamentalistsfundamentalists, true believers, zealots, literalists, dogmatists
- SouthernersAlabaman, Alabamian, Alabamians, Arkansan, Arkansans
- extremistsextremists, extremist, fanatics, fanatic, radicals
snake handlersRoman Catholics
Christians under papal authority
Unitarians · Quakers · secular humanists · atheists · Episcopalians
snake, handler, snakes, snaked, snaking, snaky, snakelike, handle, handles