Who's the greater wingnut? Parents or Judge?

[JesusHChrist]

http://news.yahoo.com/tenn-judge-changes...23538.html

A baby's parents are in court because they can't decide on a child's last name. Meanwhile, the judge decides she doesn't like their choice of first name either and orders it changed.

"NEWPORT, Tenn. (AP) — A judge in Tennessee changed a 7-month-old boy's name to Martin from Messiah, saying the religious name was earned by one person and "that one person is Jesus Christ."

Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew ordered the name change last week, according to WBIR-TV (http://on.wbir.com/1cDOeTY). The boy's parents were in court because they could not agree on the child's last name, but when the judge heard the boy's first name, she ordered it changed, too."

I'm going with the judge being the Greater Wingnut (GW). So nobody can be named "Messiah" in Tennessee? How about "Jesus"?

[ITChick]

I'm actually with the judge on this one (for different reasons). Children can be very mean and a child named Messiah will have a very difficult time in school.

[Chas]

I think the judge overstepped her authority.

And her comments are, in fact, outrageous.

[Captain Colostomy]

This was on the news last night. The dumb bitch overstepped her authority big time. She was to decide on the child's last name, not determine if the first was socially acceptable. Her reason? 'Messiah' is a title that only one man has...the Lord'. The fact she is worried that other christians(because no one else would care) would haze the boy shows she knows how petty her co-religionists can be.

When asked about kids named Jesus, she said something about that not being a part of her case.

Good fucking gravy!

[JesusHChrist]

I'm actually with the judge on this one (for different reasons). Children can be very mean and a child named Messiah will have a very difficult time in school.

The name will be problematic; I agree. But, so are many, many other names. Kids can make even a benign name something bad.

Martin is a much nicer name, but forcing parents to change a stupid name seems a bit much.

The main "irk" for me is that the name change was done on a religious basis. I think the judge's religious beliefs were insulted and she was going to use her state power to put a stop to it.

[Faith No More]

If I were that woman, I would claim that my religion said that my son is the messiah and my religious beliefs had been violated.

Nothing gets shit done in an American courtroom like claiming your religious rights have been trampled upon.

[Drich]

I'm actually with the judge on this one (for different reasons). Children can be very mean and a child named Messiah will have a very difficult time in school.

The name will be problematic; I agree. But, so are many, many other names. Kids can make even a benign name something bad.

Martin is a much nicer name, but forcing parents to change a stupid name seems a bit much.

The main "irk" for me is that the name change was done on a religious basis. I think the judge's religious beliefs were insulted and she was going to use her state power to put a stop to it.

So?

If the judge has the authority to rule on a sir name based on what she believes to be right what law says she can not rule on a given name?

[Minimalist]

I'm actually with the judge on this one (for different reasons). Children can be very mean and a child named Messiah will have a very difficult time in school.

Both sides seem pretty close to the bottom of the barrel in intellect. I don't know that it is necessary to draw a distinction here. They are all assholes.

[JesusHChrist]

So?

If the judge has the authority to rule on a sir name based on what she believes to be right what law says she can not rule on a given name?

The parties came before the court to ask for an order on selecting a LAST name. The parties did not ask the court to decide on a FIRST name.

She could also rule the mom has to wear a skirt no more than 2" above the knee. Her ruling on the first name is completely arbitrary and unwarranted.

[Captain Colostomy]

So?

If the judge has the authority to rule on a sir name based on what she believes to be right what law says she can not rule on a given name?

What law is she basing her decision on? Blasphemy?

Get a clue, would ya?

And that should be 'surname'. A sir name would be Reginald, Lionel, or whatever the mistress to a house of lords member yells during sex.