Judge Makes Mother Change Baby’s Name from ‘Messiah’
A Tennessee judge ordered a mother to change her child’s name from Messiah to Martin.
She was in court for a dispute with the baby’s father over the child’s last name.
But Judge Lu Ann Ballew took issue with the first name as well, asserting that Messiah is “a title that has only been earned by one person and that one person is Jesus.”
Martin responded saying, “I was shocked. I never intended on naming my son Messiah because it means God and I didn’t think a judge could make me change my baby’s name because of her religious beliefs.”
According to Judge Ballew, it is the first time she has ordered a first name change. 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.
Thoughts on this judge’s decision?
Is Messiah an inappropriate name?
Does she have any right to make this call?
Sound off below!
