Snakebit: Poisonous Serpents and Religious Expression in Tennessee - Brown Bag Lecture

@ The East Tennessee History Center
Where: 
The East Tennessee History Center
When: 
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - 7:00am to Thursday, October 23, 2014 - 7:45am

Primarily rooted in Southern Appalachia nearly a century ago, the practice of “taking up the serpent” is most often found in fiercely independent churches in the more mountainous areas. Though the practice has long been hotly debated, it wasn’t until 1947, spurred by the death of five East Tennesseans, that the state of Tennessee first outlawed the practice.  Joe Jarrett will detail the legal history and cases involving the state’s right to ban the dangerous means of worship versus an individual’s rights of religious freedom.  Mr. Jarrett is a Tennessee attorney, mediator and Army veteran who lectures full-time for the University of Tennessee, Department of Political Science, in Knoxville.  He is a graduate of Stetson University College of law.

The program is sponsored by 21st Mortgage Corporation and is free and open to the public.  The lecture will begin at noon at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville.  Guests are invited to bring a “Brown Bag” lunch and enjoy the lecture.  Soft drinks will be available for purchase.  For more information on the lecture, exhibitions, or museum hours, call 865-215-8824.

Joe Jarrett
Presenting Sponsor: 
21st Mortgage Corporation