Snake-Handling Preachers Open Up About 'Takin' Up Serpents'

Snake handlers dwell at the edge of the spiritual frontier - a community of people who are willing to die for their faith three times a week in church. Snakes in church are against the law everywhere but West Virginia, though in most states it's a misdemeanor offense the authorities don't bother with. Hamblin wants to modernize the practice of handling snakes in church. "Our message is not 'handle snakes, handle snakes, handle snakes,'" he says.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2013/10/04/226838383/snake-handling-preachers-open-up-about-takin-up-serpents?ft=1&f=1016