Them That Believe: The Power and Meaning of the Christian Serpent-Handling Tradition

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.

Politics & Social Sciences

Hood, Ralph

Williamson, W. Paul

Anthropology

University of California Press

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.

History

Americas

A collection of Ralph's best writings from his award-winning newspaper column in the "Madison County Record."

The Truth & Other Lies: Life from a Different Angle

Ralph Hood

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Books by Hood, Ralph