Parents' Guide to

Snake Salvation

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Docuseries explores religious snake handling; gory images.

TV National Geographic Channel Reality TV 2013
Snake Salvation Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

DEE k
DEE k Parent
October 25, 2013
age 18+

Stop playing with snakes.

These guys are missing the whole message of the gospel. Im sure there are good christians that are in those churches but if you read the bible you'll see that what they are doing is a humongous waste of time. The time they spend drawing attention to themselves and the snakes would be much better spent worshiping and praising god. When Paul was bit by the viper he did not sit there and play with the thing, he flung it into the fire. These people focus so much on the "take up serpents " verse that i think they are neglecting the rest of Gods word. It also says if you are not capable of following mans law, how do you expect to be able to follow Gods law. What they are doing is not only illegal, but totally unnecessary to promote the glory of our loving God. I wish they would use the time to talk about a God so loving that he would send his ONLY son to earth to die for our sins so we could be reconciled to him.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

SNAKE SALVATION is a reality series that features people practicing the tradition of snake handling in the name of God. The series features young Tennessee Pastor Andrew Hamblin, and his former mentor, Kentucky Pastor Jamie Coots, two Pentecostal preachers who are continuing the 100-year-old tradition of handling deadly snakes, fire, and other dangerous things as a way of celebrating God's presence. They allow cameras into their church services to document how they pray, speak in tongues, and praise while holding the serpents. When the number of snakes they have in captivity dwindles, they must go out and hunt and capture snakes that they use or trade for those they can use for church services. The risk of getting bitten and poisoned is high, and when it happens, prayer is used as a cure. It's dangerous, but for these worshippers, it is a small price to pay for practicing their faith.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Snake Salvation offers a voyeuristic look into the world of a specific subset of Pentecostalism that believes that handling snakes and fire brings them closer to God by allowing them to experience God's protection. They also underscore some of the challenges they face by practicing their religion, including being forced to break the law when they hunt for or handle snakes in areas that ban these practices.

It's interesting, but viewers may be disturbed by some of the practices highlighted here, including the general refusal to seek medical attention when people are bitten. Some may also find the patriarchal norms church members adhere to a little troubling, too. But the overall series offers a non-judgmental glimpse into a religious community that considers its faith, and its snakes, to be central to their way of life.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about different religious practices. Throughout history, different religions have practiced painful, dangerous, and/or fatal activities, like circumcisions, human sacrifices, and handling poisonous animals. Where do these practices come from? Is it appropriate for lawmakers to regulate these activities, especially in countries where people enjoy freedom of religion?

  • How does the media portray religions and religious practices that are different from the mainstream? Are shows like this one designed to teach viewers about different religions, or are they really designed to showcase how strange they are?

TV Details

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