Them That Believe: The Power and Meaning of the Christian Serpent-Handling Tradition (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780520255876)

Although outlawed in many states, serpent handling remains an active religious practice-and one that is far more stereotyped than understood. Ralph W. Hood, Jr. and W. Paul Williamson have spent fifteen years touring serpent-handling churches in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and West Virginia, conducting scores of interviews with serpent handlers, and witnessing hundreds of serpent-handling services. In this illuminating book they present the most in-depth, comprehensive study of serpent handling to date. Them That Believe not only explores facets of this religious practice-including handling, preaching, and the near-death experiences of individuals who were bitten but survived-but also provides a rich analysis of this phenomenon from historical, social, religious, and psychological perspectives.

Author: Ralph Hood, W. Paul Williamson
ISBN-10: 0520255879
ISBN-13: 9780520255876
Publisher: University of California Press
Language: English
Published: 09/02/2008
Pages: 322
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.99lbs
Size: 8.98h x 6.08w x 0.78d

Review Citation(s):
Chronicle of Higher Education 10/10/2008 pg. 21
Choice 01/01/2009