Salvation on Sand Mountain by Dennis Covington Essay -- Religion, Spir

Dennis Covington writes about a unique method of worshipsnake handling, in his memoir, Salvation on Sand Mountain. He begins as a journalist, smell in on this foreign way of life however, as conviction progresses he increasing starts to feel a part of this lifestyle. As a result loses his journalistic approach, resulting in his memoir, detailing his own spiritual journey. Upon the end of his stick around in this world, Covington realizes the signifi pukece of this journey, and argues in his memoir that we cannot entirely drive in ourselves until we step outside of our comfort z unitary and separate ourselves from our norm. It is almost as if Covington was in a stargaze or some sort of delight without this whole experience. He begins as a journalist application an eccentric trial. Instead of leaving this world after the conclusion of the trial, he is intrigues and uses journalism to get a closer look and this unfamiliar practice. He becomes intoxicated with this fasc ination causing him to forget his initial intentions as a writer, and begins to act and feel as if he is one of them. It is only until he disagrees with the way they feel about women, Covington is forced to wake up from his dream and come back to life, finally realizing he this is not where he belongs or indigences to be. The author says, I think he knew what he was doing in releasing me back to the wider world (236). Covington says, It was as though nothing has happened, but of rail everything had. I knew it could never be the same with the handlers. I had found my people. merely I had also discovered that I couldnt be one of them, after all. Knowing where you come from is one thing, but its suicide to stay there (236). Everybody at that moment knew that his prescribed time... ...ife, and he does not want to end up like them. He says, Its sad, in a way. I wish I could assure the Porter and the McGlocklins and all the others that we can be friends as long as we like, but that I wint be taking up serpents anymore. I refuse to be a witness to suicide, particularly my own. I have two daughters to raise, and a vocation in the world (238). He finally acknowledges his place in the world, is ready and happy to fulfill his calling.It is evident that the author Covington has a self-coloured ethos, which he uses to convey his argument to his readers. His argument becomes clear only at the end of the memoir, which is intentional readers had to see the entirety of his journey in localize to fully understand his underlying message. The author successfully conveys the message of self-purpose through his own struggles and experiences written in his memoir.