While I haven't had anyone call me insane for having one, I have encountered a lot of ignorance about snakes when I tell people I keep snakes and reptiles in general [mostly when I mention the snakes though]. For example, my roommate thought that my ball python would get big enough to eat our 35 pound husky. Once she met Zoey, and I informed her ball pythons at an absolute maximum reach 6 feet and can't eat a husky, she loves her. She's still hesitant to hold her for very long especially if I leave the room, but now she's thinking about getting a snake herself [either a corn snake or a ball python]. One of our friends came over for a small party and I had Zoey out when I walked downstairs because I didn't think that many people were here yet, she freaked out. But after talking to her about snakes for a little bit and having my bf hold Zoey while we talked she slowly built up the courage the just pet Zoey and realize they're not all bad.

Long story short, sometimes the fear and hatred is just from ignorance and once people learn, they're much more accepting. Sounds like you just need to talk to these "friends" and educate them. Though I'm with the rest of the posters in that they don't seem like very good friends if they can't just accept that you like them regardless of what they're going to say.