Serpent Handlers (camping, law, baptist)

[creeksitter]

I visited a snake handling holiness church as part of an appalachian studies class back during the controversy in 1973. It was quite eye opening for this unitarian raised kid. I'd never heard of speaking in toungues, that was a shock.

Not long after that I recieved my "calling" for what I was to do with my life (nothing to do with religion). Coincidence maybe but I might have recieved some powerful spiritual vibes.

[2mares]

The snake handling is to test your faith. If its strong you wont get bitten. I dont know of any snake handling churches in my area, but when ask your religion and you reply Baptist, your jokingly asked, foot washing or snake handling.
I do know of churches that speak in tongues and rub oil on your head.

[jabogitlu]

Lots of churches around here are foot washing. Strangely, even some non Baptist ones do. For years I thought it was just a Baptist thing.

All I know is I ain't washing no old man's feet.

[williboy]

I've been Southern Baptist all my life and have yet to encounter any serpent handlers or foot washers. I can't speak for all Baptist denominations, but these are not practiced in the Southern Baptist Church.

[jabogitlu]

The churches I went to as a child and young teen (mostly FWB) didn't do footwashing, either, at least as far as I know. There are a few Baptist churches that I know do, but they're mostly just called "Baptist" with no further descriptors. Then there is a Church of God church that I know does, and several Mission churches.

[mbmouse]

Speaking of: I have a question I have been pondering for years. On some Baptist Churches I have seen it described as "First Baptist Church of________ (fill in name, usually town name). Is that a denomination or derivative of the Baptist faith like "Southern Baptist" or "Bible Baptist"? Or just the actual first baptist church constructed in that town?
Please don't laugh at me, this is an honest question.

[jabogitlu]

Very good question, and I have no idea. Maybe someone else will. Are those "First Baptists" and "First/Central Christians" real denominations?

[williboy]

I go to First Baptist Church of Jonesborough and it is Southern Baptist. All of the First Baptist Churches that I have known are Southern Baptist for what that's worth.

[Beretta]

The First Baptist Church of _____ is just a name. While it is a widely used name by the Southern Baptists it is also used up north by the American Baptists (and I would imagine some of the other denominations within the Baptist faith). I think sometimes it was used to designate the first Baptist Church in town, but often times it was used even after there was a Baptist Church in town. Clear as mud huh?

There are also variations of Southern Baptist. My dad and his family were SB's (southwest Virginia). The services erupted in tongue. At my grandfather's funeral (he was born in 1899 and died in 1996 at the age of 97!) the preacher started speaking in tongue and although I was already an adult it scared the hell out of me. I grew up in Kingsport and while I was a Methodist (Mom's side of the family), I went with friends to their Baptist church on sleepover weekends. There was none of that tongue stuff and it was somewhat similar to my Methodist Church (Both churches on Church Circle in Kingsport).

[williboy]

At 53 I've certainly attended a number of Southern Baptist Churches and I've never seen anyone speak in tongues though I have seen it a couple of while visiting at Pentacostal Churches.