Religious Snake handling

Mods: I really don't know where to put this. It's not a religous discussion per say. Was thinking about West Virginia section because of the locale. I just don't know, , so I put it General Discussion and let's see where the topic goes from here.

So I was just looking through the list of fatal snake bites in the U.S. on Wikipedia http://ift.tt/2aetG9Y
and ran across this.

Mark Randall Wolford, 44, male May 28, 2012. Timber Rattlesnake. Wolford was bitten on the thigh while handling a timber rattlesnake as part of an outdoor religious service at Panther State Forest in McDowell County, West Virginia. Wolford did not initially seek medical treatment for his injury, but was taken to Bluefield Regional Medical Center when his condition began to deteriorate some eight hours later. Wolford was a pastor and often handled his pet snake during church services. Wolford's father, Mack Wolford, died in 1983 under similar circumstances.

So of course I had to go see dad's write up.

Mack Ray Wolford, 39, male August 28, 1983. Timber Rattlesnake. Wolford was bitten on the arm by a timber rattlesnake during religious services at the Lord Jesus Temple in Mile Branch, near Iaeger, West Virginia.[ Wolford did not initially seek medical treatment. An ambulance was summoned eight hours after Wolford had been bitten, but he died during transport to Stevens Clinic in Welch, West Virginia. Wolford's son, Mark Wolford, died in 2012 under similar circumstances.

So further research led me to this article in 1983. Apparently by 1983, most states had banned the practice. Which leads to a question about the 1st Amendment. Would banning not be a law against Religious Practices?

http://ift.tt/2aetaZB

All I got to say is, WTH? It seems the kid followed in Dad's footsteps, literally.

My question to anybody in West Virginia or Nationwide/Worldwide for that matter. Is this really a thing? You would think that sooner or later all their followers would be dead.

Plus, it is proof for both of them, that you mess with a snake long enough and eventually you will get bit.

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Religious Snake handling