State Ex Rel. Swann v. Pack

OPINION

HENRY, Justice.

We granted certiorari in this case to determine whether the State of Tennessee may enjoin a religious group from handling snakes as a part of its religious service and in accordance with its Articles of Faith, on the basis of such action constituting a public nuisance. '

The Circuit Court at Newport permanently enjoined the defendant, Pack, Pastor of The Holiness Church of God in Jesus Name, of Newport, and one of his Elders from “handling, displaying or exhibiting dangerous and poisonous snakes”, predicating its action primarily upon a finding that “the handling of said…