Lounge LBN- (Dumb) Minister Dies From Snakebite at Easter

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-BRF-Preacher-Snake.html

April 14, 2004
Minister Dies From Snakebite at Easter
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 3:46 p.m. ET

JONESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- A preacher bitten by a rattlesnake as he handled it during an Easter service at a rural church died after refusing medical treatment, authorities said.

The Rev. Dwayne Long died a day after being bitten on a finger during a service at his church, where members believe ritual serpent-handling is a form of obedience to God, said Sheriff Gary Parsons.

``We don't anticipate any charges,'' he said. ``That's their belief.''

No one attending the service at the Pentecostal church sought medical help, Parsons said. Members believe when people die from a snakebite during a service, it is a sign that it was their time to go

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