Snake-handling belief persists despite deaths, law.(Originated from Knight-Ridder Newspapers)

From: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service | Date: September 20, 1995| Author: | Copyright information

Handling poisonous snakes in religious services is ``the kind of doctrine that will not stand,'' the Church of God, based in Cleveland, Tenn., said in 1917 in condemning the practice.

But 78 years and more than 70 deaths later, it is standing.

It is being kept alive, primarily in the hills and hollows of Central and Southern Appalachia, by people who believe the Bible directs them to handle the snakes as a sign of their obedience and God's power.

Their numbers are not large _ perhaps three dozen churches with 2,500 members _ but many have a strong conviction.

``I do it ...

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