We folks in the south know all about tent revivals, foot washing, speaking in tongues, and snaking handling.

The theory is this:  you can handle dangerous snakes if you trust in the Lord and ask God to protect you.

The problem with that theory is that snakes rarely have religion and they aren’t a damn bit ashamed about that.

Jamie Coots’ death appears to be the first from a snakebite in a Kentucky church service since November 2006, when a woman died after being bitten while worshipping at a Laurel County church.

Coots, a third-generation snake handler, was the pastor of a small church in Middlesboro, Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name.

The Steeple People who snake handle says they are commanded by the book of Mark to do so.  That book, however, also says to drink poison but you don’t see them doing that.  Not near the glamour.

Coot’s family refused to take him to the hospital after he passed out so I guess they were a bit tired of him being a damfool, too.

Just a heads up:  you should never handle a Republican for the same reason.  They will bite you.

Thanks to everybody for the heads up.