Death of a Kentucky pastor who handled snakes renews church vs. state issue . The Cevallos : Supreme Court delineated key differences between religious thought , action . Action is always protected by law , but states can regulate action in interest of safety . Cevallos : Federal law provides for only minimal punishment for snake - handling .
Death of a Kentucky pastor who handled rattlesnakes renews church vs. state issue . Danny Cevallos : Supreme Court delineated key difference between religious thought , action . Thought is always protected by Constitution , but states can regulate action in interest of safety . Cevallos : Kentucky law provides for only minimal punishment for snake-handling .