Grand Jury Refuses To Indict Snake Handling Pastor

In Campbell County Tennessee last Wednesday, a grand jury refused to hand down indictments against Rev. Andrew Hamblin who was charged after state wildlife officials raided his Tabernacle Church of God and seized 53 poisonous snakes handled by the congregation during worship services.  Hamblin is the co-star of the National Geographic Chanel's reality series Snake Salvation. (See prior posting.)  According to Religion News Service, Hamblin was allowed to address the grand jury for 30 minutes. He argued that the snakes belong to the church, not to him, and that the state's ban on them violates the congregation's religious liberty.