In Dennis Covington’s book Salvation on Sand Mountain, he gives insight into the snake-handling churches throughout Appalachia and other locations: his primary focus being The Church of Jesus with Signs Following. His accounts of the practices of this church have established some clear similarities and differences between them and my religious practice, Catholicism.
Many people may wonder how a religion that takes up snakes to represent God’s power, drinks strychnine, and speaks in tongues could share any similarities with the Catholic faith; there are, however, several similarities. The services held at The Church of Jesus with Signs Following always include songs to worship God, a preacher who’s “sermon echoed the theme,” prayers for those who are in need of help, and often times an offering is collected (Covingtion, 72). All of these aspects can be viewed during a typical Catholic service. Throughout various points in Mass, we also sing songs to worship God, a priest always gives a sermon from which we can learn a lesson, prayer intentions are said for those who need the prayers of everyone, and an offering is collected during Mass.
There are, however, some obvious differences between The Church of Jesus with Signs Following and the Catholic Mass. Although we both worship God, snake-handling churches are more outspoken with their worship. They often sing, dance, speak aloud, etc… during their services; Catholicism is much more reserved, however. It would be viewed as disrespectful if a person were to shout, dance throughout the aisles, or sing while the priest is speaking during Mass. Another main difference is the rituals performed during these two services. In a Catholic Church, Communion is served at every service; however, “Rituals like Communion are rare events in snake-handling churches” (Covington, 115). Also, the Catholic Church does not take up snakes or drink poison throughout our Mass; where as in a snake-handling church, this ritual is performed during almost every service.
Although there are differences between these religious practices, their legitimacy as a religion is equal. Both religions exhibit the elementary forms of religious life per Durkheim, thus falling under the definition of a religion. Totems, or sacred images/objects that represent shared spiritual beliefs, are present in both practices. The Church of Jesus with Signs Following uses snakes to represent their shared belief that God is with them; Catholicism uses the Eucharist to represent this (Durkheim). Also, the followers of these religions maintain a collective consciousness, or a group mind resulting from shared beliefs and rituals (Durkheim). Lastly, effervescence, a heightened emotional feeling from being in a group, is exhibited in both religions (Durkheim). Although they exhibit this effervescence in different ways - snake-handling churches being more open about it, while Catholics are more reserved and tend to internalize it - they still both partake in this elementary form. Thus, although we may not share every ritual and practice with another religion, or perhaps, even lack understanding of another religion, it does not illegitimatize the validity of any religion. As long as a belief system has followers that come together to practice said faith, the definition of this belief as a religion will be maintained.
