Editing Snake handling in Christianity (section)

=== Practices ===
As in the early days, worshipers are still encouraged to [[Laying on of hands|lay hands on the sick]], [[Glossolalia|speak in tongues]], provide [[Testimony#Religion|testimony]] of [[miracle]]s, and occasionally consume poisons such as [[strychnine]].<ref name= Covington>{{citation |last=Covington |first=Dennis |author-link=Dennis Covington |title=Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia |location=Reading, MA |publisher=Addison-Wesley |year=1995}}</ref> Worship services usually include singing, praying, [[speaking in tongues]], and preaching. The front of the church, behind the pulpit, is the designated area for handling snakes. [[Rattlesnake]]s, [[Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen|cottonmouths]], and [[Agkistrodon contortrix|copperheads]] (venomous snakes native to North America) are the most common, but even [[cobra]]s have been used. During the service, believers may approach the front and pick up the snakes, usually raising them into the air and sometimes allowing the snakes to slither on their bodies. Handling the snakes is not compulsory for those attending services. Some believers will also engage in drinking poison (most commonly [[strychnine]]) at this time.

Although individual incidents may actually be understood in a variety of ways, those who die from snakebites are never criticized for lack of adequate faith; it is believed that it was simply the deceased's time to die.<ref name=Duin>{{cite news |last1=Duin |first1=Julia |title=In WVA, Snake Handling is still considered a sign of faith |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/in-wva-snake-handling-is-still-considered-a-sign-of-faith/2011/10/18/gIQAmiqL9M_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref> Bitten believers usually do not seek medical help, but look to God for their healing.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} They fully believe that adherents need to handle the snakes as a demonstration of their having the Holy Spirit within. Darlene Summerford, when asked how it felt to handle venomous serpents, replied, "It's just knowing you got power over them snakes".<ref name=Covington/>{{rp|43}} 
And, if they get bitten by the snake, then they lack the true Spirit.<ref name=Covington/>{{rp|3}} Moreover, if they are bitten, then the congregation prays over them.<ref name=Covington/> If they die, then God intended for that to happen.<ref name=Duin/><ref name=Covington/>