News Tennessee Snake Waver!

**gblowfish** · 01-11-2014, 05:29 PM

Holy Moley!

Snake handler sheds the law
January 10
By BOB SMIETANA
Religion News Service

An East Tennessee serpent-handling pastor’s legal woes are over for now.
Ciaran Flannery | National Geographic Channels “All the headlines should read, ‘Snake handlers have religious rights in Tennessee,’ ” said Andrew Hamblin after an indictment failed to materialize this week. He uses snakes in his sermons in LaFollette, Tenn.

After a hearing on Wednesday, a grand jury decided not to indict the Rev. Andrew Hamblin on charges of violating a state ban on possessing venomous snakes.

In November, state officials seized 53 serpents — including rattlesnakes, copperheads and exotic breeds — from the Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, Tenn., where Hamblin is pastor.

Hamblin and his church say the Bible commands them to handle the snakes in worship. They’ve been featured in a National Geographic television series, “Snake Salvation.”

Officials from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency cited Hamblin with 53 counts of violating the ban. Each count carried a maximum sentence of almost a year in jail.

Hamblin argued that the ban violates congregations’ religious liberty.

“I’m ecstatic,” he said in a phone interview Wednesday. “All the headlines should read ‘Snake handlers have religious rights in Tennessee.’ ”

Hamblin said he was allowed to address the grand jury for half an hour at the hearing. His defense was simple. The snakes weren’t his, he said. They belonged to the church, and Hamblin said the wildlife officials had no business raiding a church.

In the weeks since the raid, Hamblin and his congregation have rallied local support for their cause. They collected signatures on petitions and made their case on Facebook and other social media outlets. Dozens of supporters crowded in the Campbell County Courthouse for hearings.

Since 1947, Tennessee law has banned venomous snakes during church services or public settings. The state Supreme Court upheld that ban in the 1970s.

In 2012, West Virginia pastor Mark Wolford died after his rattlesnake bit him during a church ritual, just as the man had seen his father take a fatal bite years before.

Matt Cameron, a spokesman for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, said its officers acted correctly in raiding Hamblin’s church. Most of the snakes were in ill health when seized, said Cameron. More than half died since the raid, and the rest are being cared for at a Knoxville zoo.

“As far as returning the snakes — that is not an option,” he said.

Hamblin has said repeatedly that he would go to jail rather than give up handling serpents in church. His church has continued services with snakes on Friday nights and Sundays since the raid. Despite the publicity, National Geographic did not renew the reality TV show for a second season.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/01/10...#storylink=cpy

Rasputin · 01-11-2014, 05:33 PM

Is "Snake Waver" another term used for masterbating?

**gblowfish** · 01-11-2014, 05:33 PM

Ow! (NSFW....Language):

Rasputin · 01-11-2014, 05:34 PM

It's my religious right to "Snake Wave" in public then I don't know why we couldn't?

**CrazyPhuD** · 01-11-2014, 06:03 PM

I just hope the priest wasn't waving juvenile snakes.

BlackHelicopters · 01-11-2014, 06:10 PM

Thanks bin Laden.

kcfanintitanhell · 01-11-2014, 06:53 PM

And Charles Darwin thanks you...

Rasputin · 01-11-2014, 07:17 PM

"In 2012, West Virginia pastor Mark Wolford died after his rattlesnake bit him during a church ritual, just as the man had seen his father take a fatal bite years before."

Fred Phelps should take this part up in his ministry.

Bump · 01-11-2014, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

"In 2012, West Virginia pastor Mark Wolford died after his rattlesnake bit him during a church ritual, just as the man had seen his father take a fatal bite years before."

Fred Phelps should take this part up in his ministry.

you cannot fix stupid

Bump · 01-11-2014, 10:46 PM

so do any of their followers go out and maybe find a rattlesnake and say "I have faith too, lets **** with it!" because that would be bad, kids are impressionable.

frozenchief · 01-11-2014, 11:15 PM

"waver" means to switch back and forth indecisively between two positions.

"Waiver" means a formal relinquishment or giving up of rights. In this case, because the grand jury refused to indict, the grand jury waived it's right to charge.

Please make a note of this and use the correct term next time.

I admit I can be a grammar/language Nazi.

Bump · 01-11-2014, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frozenchief

"waver" means to switch back and forth indecisively between two positions.

"Waiver" means a formal relinquishment or giving up of rights. In this case, because the grand jury refused to indict, the grand jury waived it's right to charge.

Please make a note of this and use the correct term next time.

I admit I can be a grammar/language Nazi.

I just assumed he was waving snakes around in the air

01-11-2014, 05:29 PM
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17686178 VARSITY	Tennessee Snake Waver! Holy Moley! Snake handler sheds the law January 10 By BOB SMIETANA Religion News Service An East Tennessee serpent-handling pastor’s legal woes are over for now. Ciaran Flannery \| National Geographic Channels “All the headlines should read, ‘Snake handlers have religious rights in Tennessee,’ ” said Andrew Hamblin after an indictment failed to materialize this week. He uses snakes in his sermons in LaFollette, Tenn. After a hearing on Wednesday, a grand jury decided not to indict the Rev. Andrew Hamblin on charges of violating a state ban on possessing venomous snakes. In November, state officials seized 53 serpents — including rattlesnakes, copperheads and exotic breeds — from the Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, Tenn., where Hamblin is pastor. Hamblin and his church say the Bible commands them to handle the snakes in worship. They’ve been featured in a National Geographic television series, “Snake Salvation.” Officials from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency cited Hamblin with 53 counts of violating the ban. Each count carried a maximum sentence of almost a year in jail. Hamblin argued that the ban violates congregations’ religious liberty. “I’m ecstatic,” he said in a phone interview Wednesday. “All the headlines should read ‘Snake handlers have religious rights in Tennessee.’ ” Hamblin said he was allowed to address the grand jury for half an hour at the hearing. His defense was simple. The snakes weren’t his, he said. They belonged to the church, and Hamblin said the wildlife officials had no business raiding a church. In the weeks since the raid, Hamblin and his congregation have rallied local support for their cause. They collected signatures on petitions and made their case on Facebook and other social media outlets. Dozens of supporters crowded in the Campbell County Courthouse for hearings. Since 1947, Tennessee law has banned venomous snakes during church services or public settings. The state Supreme Court upheld that ban in the 1970s. In 2012, West Virginia pastor Mark Wolford died after his rattlesnake bit him during a church ritual, just as the man had seen his father take a fatal bite years before. Matt Cameron, a spokesman for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, said its officers acted correctly in raiding Hamblin’s church. Most of the snakes were in ill health when seized, said Cameron. More than half died since the raid, and the rest are being cared for at a Knoxville zoo. “As far as returning the snakes — that is not an option,” he said. Hamblin has said repeatedly that he would go to jail rather than give up handling serpents in church. His church has continued services with snakes on Friday nights and Sundays since the raid. Despite the publicity, National Geographic did not renew the reality TV show for a second season. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/01/10...#storylink=cpy
Posts: 40,830

01-11-2014, 05:33 PM	#2
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $3485421	Is "Snake Waver" another term used for masterbating?
Posts: 54,962

01-11-2014, 05:33 PM	#3
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17686178 VARSITY	Ow! (NSFW....Language):
Posts: 40,830

01-11-2014, 05:34 PM	#4
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $3485421	It's my religious right to "Snake Wave" in public then I don't know why we couldn't?
Posts: 54,962

01-11-2014, 06:03 PM	#5
CrazyPhuD Meow Join Date: Jun 2005 Casino cash: $10005050	I just hope the priest wasn't waving juvenile snakes. __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end"
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01-11-2014, 06:10 PM	#6
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2720588	Thanks bin Laden. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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01-11-2014, 06:53 PM	#7
kcfanintitanhell turd polisher Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Location, Location!!! Casino cash: $9146780	And Charles Darwin thanks you... __________________ I do not think country was intended to be sung consistently in tune.
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01-11-2014, 07:17 PM	#8
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $3485421	"In 2012, West Virginia pastor Mark Wolford died after his rattlesnake bit him during a church ritual, just as the man had seen his father take a fatal bite years before." Fred Phelps should take this part up in his ministry.
Posts: 54,962

01-11-2014, 10:46 PM	#10
Bump YOU take YOUR seat Join Date: Nov 2007 Casino cash: $2245105	so do any of their followers go out and maybe find a rattlesnake and say "I have faith too, lets **** with it!" because that would be bad, kids are impressionable.
Posts: 32,206

01-11-2014, 11:15 PM	#11
frozenchief Veteran Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Alaska Casino cash: $1631379	"waver" means to switch back and forth indecisively between two positions. "Waiver" means a formal relinquishment or giving up of rights. In this case, because the grand jury refused to indict, the grand jury waived it's right to charge. Please make a note of this and use the correct term next time. I admit I can be a grammar/language Nazi.
Posts: 3,899