That said, it's not up to a judge to, unsolicited, decide that it has to be changed.
'"The word Messiah is a title and it's a title that has only been earned by one person and that one person is Jesus Christ," Judge Ballew said. […] She said the decision is best for the child, especially while growing up in a county with a large Christian population. "It could put him at odds with a lot of people and at this point he has had no choice in what his name is," Judge Ballew said.'
Your Honor, frankly, it's none of your damned business, whether you're doing it because of your own religious beliefs or for the ostensible good of the child. Here's hoping the mother's appeal nets you a nasty reprimand.
Tennessee Judge orders baby’s name be changed from ‘Messiah’ |
(WBIR-Newport) A Newport mother is appealing a court’s decision after a judge ordered her son’s name be changed from “Messiah.” Jaleesa Martin and the father of Messiah could not agree on a last name, which is how they ended up at a child support hearing in Cocke County Chancery Court on …
Yeah, that's a SERIOUS breach of free speech, and that judge damn well better be slapped down for it. You can name your child "Adolf Hitler Shithead" if you want to, it just means you're an asshole and your poor kid will have to live with the consequences of your actions, but there is nothing in our laws that make bad name choices actionable or controlled by the law.
I know a Kingsley Messiah. Great guy, but it's a heck of a name to try and live up to.
Oh, it's an awful name, no doubt. But so are so many others, for a variety of reasons. I don't want some judge making that decision — especially when she wasn't asked to.
Not the best of names, to be sure, but the parents still should have the right to saddle the kid with it, if they want.
The judge is, clearly, a moron.
Once a person reaches the age of 18, they should get the chance to change their name for free. This way, no matter how bad your birth name is, you get a chance to start your adult life with one you like better.
And, yes, the judge went way out of line.
Umm… That word has a secular meaning. Of course, you could argue that capitalizing it changes that to its religious meaning. I don't buy it, but you could argue it.
The judge has Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus on her desk and the Ten Commandments hanging on her wall. So, naming a child Messiah, is bad, but owning graven images is just dandy. Perhaps she might read those Commandments and tell us which of those things is forbidden?