Appalachian churches known for their practice of handling snakes, drinking poison, and other extreme acts of faith.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Pentecostalism
Founder: George Went Hensley
Founded: 1910
Location: Appalachian region of the United States
Size: 1,000-5,000; 125 churches (72,069 members in 1945)
Also called: Church of Lord Jesus with Signs Following (a nontrinitarian variant)
The Church of God with Signs Following is a unique and controversial Christian sect predominantly found in the Appalachian region of the southeastern United States. This new religious movement is characterized by its literal interpretation of certain biblical passages, notably Mark 16:17-18, which leads to practices such as snake handling, drinking poison, and other acts demonstrating faith in divine protection.
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.
Matthew 16:17-18
The Church of God with Signs Following emerged in the early 20th century, an offshoot of the broader Pentecostal movement. Its roots can be traced to the ministry of George Went Hensley, a Pentecostal preacher in Appalachia who advocated for the literal interpretation of Mark 16:17-18. Hensley himself began handling snakes during religious services, asserting that this was a demonstration of faith and divine protection.
The core beliefs of the Church of God with Signs Following align with many Pentecostal doctrines, including the belief in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues, divine healing, and a literal interpretation of the Bible. The distinctive practice of snake handling is seen as a test of faith and a demonstration of divine power.
Membership within this movement is difficult to quantify due to its decentralized nature and the privacy of its adherents, with estimates ranging from as low as 1,000 to as high as 5,000 members across possibly fifty to a hundred congregations. These congregations, while independent and autonomous, share a common faith in the literal interpretation of scripture concerning signs following true believers, including speaking in tongues, healing, and, most infamously, serpent handling.
The Church of God with Signs Following has faced significant legal and social challenges due to its practices. Many states in the Appalachians, where the movement is most prevalent, have outlawed snake handling in public services, citing public safety concerns. The secretive nature of the practice and the legal restrictions in many areas have kept the movement relatively small and insular. There have also been instances of injury and death due to snake bites, which have further fueled the debate over the legality and safety of these practices. However, even with these challenges, the movement has persisted, with practitioners viewing legal and societal opposition as tests of faith
image via Reddit
