The Appalachian Snake Handlers
What happens when a preacher discovers a passage in the Bible that so affects him, that he spends the rest of his life spreading its message. Dedicates his passion and time to these couple of sentences. Commits to its words so fervently that by the time of his death, a widespread group of followers believe so strongly in the text that they would risk their lives to continue in its practice.
We’re talking, of course, about George Went Hensley and the serpent handlers of Appalachia. This group of folks, diffuse mostly among the Southeastern US, read literally into a passage from Mark 16:17-18. In following the words, practitioners handle deadly snakes and take swigs of water poisoned with strychnine, a bitter chemical used as a pesticide. If bitten by a snake, believers aren’t allowed to see a doctor. The Bible text reads:
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.
Most states have outlawed snake handling, and biblical experts have suggested that the passage in question was added only in later versions of the text. Still, serpent handlers risk jail time, ridicule in the wider community, and even death from the snakes in their arms. Despite the fact that some 70 people have died during services over the years, the faithful remain so, in opposition to all outside pressure. In this case, faith triumphs over most everything.
A believer, interviewed in a 1992 audio documentary prepared by Sound Portraits Productions (now StoryCorps), explained that there was no room for doubt in reading the Bible:
02.1.10“If man could have written that part of God’s word, he could have written any of it. And if I doubted that part of God’s word, then it’d give me a reason to doubt the rest of it.”
Chainsaw + Art = Awesome
by Danila
What happens when you combine a rip-roaring fast chainsaw, giant logs, and the majestic art of sculpture? Pure awesome, in the form of chainsaw art. Like the ancient Greeks, who whittled great hunks of marble into perfect statues, chainsaw artists carve down hunks of wood into polished (well, not that polished) pieces of art. Instead of a hammer and chisel, the tool of choice is a chainsaw with a special “carving bar” that’s narrowed at the tip to prevent kickback.
Although this makes the process safer, the art form is still dangerous as hell. After all, the artist is using a tool that could easily slice into flesh at the slightest slip up. Take that, ancient Greeks!
Common themes include bears, more bears, eagles, other animals, Native American-ish totems, and mermaids. Oh and more bears.
So is the artform a subculture, a hobby, or both?
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I’m a Trekkie
by Danila
I’ve been watching a lot of Star Trek since the latest movie came out. Especially from the original series with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
What makes the franchise so appealing to so many people? And beyond that, what pushes passionate fans onto the next level of devoted fandom? From supporter into trekkie, or trekker.
Perhaps it’s the promise of a better world in the future, where racism, sexism and xenophobia are abolished. Or perhaps the show was the first widespread public medium to dabble with outlandish sci-fi ideas.
In any case, it has inspired a deep and lively subculture of human aliens and self-described Starfleet commanders. It’s the shared experience, the belonging, the common love of something grand. And while Trekkies are often poked fun of by the media and non-trekkie public, they really are a part of giant friendly world. And no one can deny that the Vulcan salute looks awesome.
Live long and prosper, and enjoy the following clips from Trekkies, a light documentary on some of the most devoted fans on the planet.
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