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.

Snake Handling Pastor Charged Criminally; Authorities Tipped Off By Reality TV Show

RNS reported yesterday that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency last week raided the Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollete, Tennessee and seized 53 venomous snakes handled by the congregation during worship services. Authorities arrested the church's pastor, Rev. Andrew Hamblin, who is the co-star of the National Geographic Chanel's reality series Snake Salvation.  Wildlife authorities were tipped off to the fact that there were snakes at the church because of the television show. Hamblin was charged with violations of Tennessee Code § 39-17-101 which prohibits using a poisonous snake in a way that endangers others. Hamblin says that the ban violates his and his congregation's religious liberty. They point to language in Mark 16: 18 to explain their snake handling rituals.