Slithering to New Ground in Religious Snake-Handling Research
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
National Geographic Channel’s television series “Snake Salvation” explores previously undocumented aspects of a uniquely Appalachian religious denomination and associated practice. The series, which premiered in September of 2013, chronicles the everyday activities and challenges faced by two snake-handling Holiness preachers and their small—albeit highly dedicated—group of congregants in Appalachian areas of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. Scholars have been interested in small sects of snake-handling practitioners for several years; however, “Snake Salvation” goes beyond analysis of the church services themselves and probes into the everyday activities of the snake-handlers. The program covers an array of topics including snake hunting and trading, the legality of crossing state lines with and then owning the venomous snakes, and the handlers’ relationship with their snakes outside of religious services. This paper will analyze the above aspects of the television series in light of previous scholarship on the topic, as well as to show how “Snake Salvation” is providing fresh documentation on this often-misunderstood topic.
Slithering to New Ground in Religious Snake-Handling Research
Harris Hall 136
National Geographic Channel’s television series “Snake Salvation” explores previously undocumented aspects of a uniquely Appalachian religious denomination and associated practice. The series, which premiered in September of 2013, chronicles the everyday activities and challenges faced by two snake-handling Holiness preachers and their small—albeit highly dedicated—group of congregants in Appalachian areas of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. Scholars have been interested in small sects of snake-handling practitioners for several years; however, “Snake Salvation” goes beyond analysis of the church services themselves and probes into the everyday activities of the snake-handlers. The program covers an array of topics including snake hunting and trading, the legality of crossing state lines with and then owning the venomous snakes, and the handlers’ relationship with their snakes outside of religious services. This paper will analyze the above aspects of the television series in light of previous scholarship on the topic, as well as to show how “Snake Salvation” is providing fresh documentation on this often-misunderstood topic.
