HERALD LEADER (Lexington, Kentucky) 29 November 07 Foster parents say license revoked because of snake handling in church (Brandon Ortiz)
A Laurel County couple has filed a lawsuit alleging that their foster-care license was revoked because they had formerly attended religious services where snakes were handled.
Jason and Tammy Barrett say a foster care agency that contracts with the state, Lifeway for Youth Kentucky, violated their constitutional rights. They say the agency revoked their license and took custody of the foster children in their care in November 2006.
The Barretts of Laurel County were asked by a Lifeway case manager whether they attend church services that have snake-handling. They said that they had in the past but that their church no longer participates in the practice, according to the lawsuit.
The Barretts refused to sign an agreement that they would not attend snake-handling services.
Snake-handling is a misdemeanor in Kentucky. But law enforcement rarely presses charges for the practice, however, because of doubts over whether the charges would withstand constitutional scrutiny.
The suit does not state whether the Barretts had handled snakes, or if they had taken foster children to such services.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in London on Wednesday. It names Lifeway, nine of its employees and the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Snake-handlers believe the practice shows faith and God’s power. The text for the belief is Mark 16:17-18: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
The number of Pentecostal or Holiness churches where members practice what they call “serpent-handling” is small and concentrated in Appalachian areas of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama. Believers often travel to services in other states.
Last year, a London woman died after she was bitten in the face by a rattlesnake during a service at East London Holiness Church.
The family of Linda F. Long, 48, is suing Marymount Medical Center in London over allegations that medical staff made derogatory comments about her religious beliefs rather than providing proper care
The Barretts’ lawsuit alleges that they were told by Lifeway officials that were qualified to be foster parents. It states that Lifeway revoked their license because of news coverage of Long’s death.
Foster parents say license revoked because of snake handling in church

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