J. Bennett White
Departmental Honors in Religion

“Jolo and Jesus: Snake-Handling Christians in Jolo, West Virginia”

In my thesis, “Jolo and Jesus: Snake handling Christians in Jolo, West Virginia,” I attempt to present insight into the practice of taking up serpents as an act of Christian obedience.  A snake handling community in Jolo, West Virginia is the centerpiece of the paper.  I describe my personal experiences with these snake handlers to illuminate aspects of the practice itself.  The thesis contains a discussion of the theological and historical aspects of handling serpents and personal statement of this bizarre religious practice.