Gov’t Seizes 50 Venomous Snakes From Serpent-Handling Pastor’s Church
Snake handling may not be a mainstream fixture of American Christianity, but it’s still being practiced in some churches, particularly in the deep south. Case in point: Fifty venomous snakes were seized this week from the Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, Tenn.
The Associated Press reported that Pastor Andrew Hamblin, whose deadly serpent handling has been featured on television programs, was cited by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for possessing the venomous snakes.
The seizure took place when authorities went to Hamblin’s home on Thursday and asked if he had any of the deadly animals inside. While the pastor said no, he did admit to housing them at the church....