Snake Salvation
Freak show or spiritual test? Book explores world of snake handlers
By Kimberly Winston — January 26, 2018
(RNS) — Author Julia Duin focuses on a new breed of snake-handling preachers — young and adept at using social media to attract attention.
Pope will visit Sweden for Reformation anniversary
By Rosie Scammell — January 25, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Francis' Oct. 31 visit will launch commemorations of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Also Monday, the pontiff asked forgiveness for the sins Catholics committed against other Christians.
Jamie Coots’s death and what we don’t understand about snake handling
By Laura Turner — February 20, 2014
Jamie Coots, a southern pastor, died Saturday as the result of a snake bite sustained during a church service. What do we not understand about why sane people handle snakes in the name of God?
COMMENTARY: Jamie Coots’ snake theology was not that crazy
By Jeffrey Weiss — February 18, 2014
(RNS) To most people, a few biblical passages are a crazy justification to handle deadly serpents. But I evaluate these kinds of claims through Weiss’ Law of Religious Relativism: Any religion is, by definition, crazy to a nonbeliever.
Jamie Coots, co-star of ‘Snake Salvation,’ dies of a snakebite
By Bob Smietana — February 16, 2014
(RNS) Coots, whose father is also a serpent-handling preacher, was a legendary figure among a small group of Pentecostal believers who practiced the so-called “signs of the gospel” found in Mark 16; among them taking up serpents.
‘Snake Salvation’ pastor won’t be charged with violating Tenn. law
By Bob Smietana — January 8, 2014
(RNS) A grand jury decided not to indict the Rev. Andrew Hamblin, star of the National Geographic television series “Snake Salvation," on charges of violating a state ban on possessing venomous snakes.
Serpent handler-TV star has a new cause: religious liberty
By Bob Smietana — November 12, 2013
(RNS) Tennessee wildlife regulations allow zoos to keep venomous snakes, but there is no provision for churches to have them. The Rev. Andrew Hamblin, co-star of the National Geographic series "Snake Salvation," says that violates his congregation’s religious liberty.
I’ll take my salvation without the snakes, please
By Cathleen Falsani — September 10, 2013
(RNS) If there were such a thing as “spiritual hazard pay” for columnists, I would be submitting a claim after watching the first two episodes of the new National Geographic series “Snake Salvation.”
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