Is snake defanging appropriate if its religiously called for?

Mtl Zack made me ask this in a different question.
http://www.fluther.com/disc/26328/do-snake-handling-churchs-include-constricters/
This is my official statement: Uh…. hell no!
Defanging is cruel, unnecessary, and essentially involves taking a pair of pliers to the top of a snakes mouth and just ripping out the fangs. Its similar to having someone prop your mouth open, get a good grip on your incisors with pliars in one hand, bracing your head in the other and wrenching it out…. twice.
I don’t care if its a religious/cultural thing… torturing animals is never appropriate. People would be freaking out if someone were doing this to a bunny, but its totally okay if its done to a snake.

Ultimately: IT’S NOT FAIR TO MUTILATE A VENOMOUS ANIMAL JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO FUCK WITH IT A LITTLE.

Thank you.

**bows**