Snake-handling Churches in America

Snake-handling is a religious ritual practiced in a small number of Pentecostal churches in the Appalachian Mountains and southeastern region of the United States. These Christians handle live poisonous snakes as part of their worship services.

The main scripture used to support the practice is Mark 16:17-18, which has Jesus saying:

"And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."