[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

I was born and raised in LaFollette, TN. There are many, yes many, snake handling churches in East TN, Southeast KY, northern Ga, and Western NC, just to name a few places. The majority of these churches are Oneness churches, but this church is a Trinitarian Independent church.

It does call itself Church of God, but in those mountains, church of god is generic, not a denomination. Just like tons say baptist on the sign, but could be united baptist, general baptist, southern baptist, or independent.

The majority of snake handling churches only handle on special services, like homecoming, Revival, Easter, etc.... typically not every service. They also drink strictnine (sp?).

And some of theses churches surprisingly aren't very small. I can take you to a couple in the Knoxville area that run almost 300, big brick church with a family life center out back, etc. Business people, educated folk attend there... and they still handle snakes.

I personally don't believe it's an admonish to do it in scriptures, but I will say they have greater faith than I do to do it.

I don't think it's faith at all. Genuine faith comes from God Himself, not someone conjuring up the nerve to do something at will.