The Appalachian 'Other

Academic Approaches to the Study of Serpent-handling Sects

Bibliographic Data

ID4299336
AuthorsJenna Gray‐hildenbrand (Middle Tennessee State University, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume10
Issue3
Pages47-57
Publication date2016-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligion Compass (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1749-8171 • E-ISSN: 1749-8171
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/rec3.12193
OpenAlexW2289130031
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited16

Serpent-handling sects are often portrayed in the media as bizarre Southern cults whose members engage in dangerous primitive rituals. The fact that a religious ritual identified as existing outside the normative boundaries of Christianity, and perhaps religion in general, defines this Christian tradition marks serpent-handling sects as abnormal or 'other'. Consequently, scholars investigating why these Christians handle poisonous snakes during religious services must address the boundary between 'abnormal' and 'normal' religion, the 'norm' and the 'other'. This essay surveys the multi-disciplinary literature on serpent-handling sects with a particular eye toward the ways scholars both negotiate and perpetuate this boundary

Ancient history · Christianity · Negotiation · Normative · Political science · Social science · Sociology · History · Law · Mormonism, Religion, and History · Philosophy · Psychedelics and Drug Studies · Psychology · Religious studies · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices

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