Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew ordered the 7-month-old's name be "Martin DeShawn McCullough." It includes both parent's last names but leaves out Messiah. The name change was part of Judge Ballew's case; however, the parents did not think the first name would 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.
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.
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Martin's two older children are named Micah and Mason. She liked how the name Messiah sounded alongside the other two siblings and thought it was unique. "Everybody believes what they want so I think I should be able to name my child what I want to name him, not someone else," Martin said. Judge Ballew said the parents will have to change the name on the birth certificate. However, Martin is appealing the judge's decision. It will go before the Cocke County Chancellor on Sept. 17.
13 comments:
Good call for the judge. Imagine being stuck with a name like that. Can't the mother think of other names beginning with M?
Reminds me of that other story where the boy was named 'Bamboo Flute' and he stabbed his father.
With names like Moonbeam and sh*t like that why not Messiah?
I ended up stuck with a Irish name, it's like a millstone around my neck, no bugger can pronounce it. Giving children weird names is just just tantamount to child abuse. That being said, I don't think Messiah is that bad.
I've removed that comment, Appalled.
I'd have deleted it if I'd noticed it earlier.
There are one or two individuals who seem to delight in posting anonymous offensive comments around here recently.
Thanks, Arbroath. I'm glad you're attempting to keep this site clean from racial slurs. If I want to see that, I can go to any news site. I come here to get a good chuckle.
No form of racism will be tolerated here.
What about if someone said something racist about Klingons?
I have been led to believe that Klingons are fictional characters.
I have no problem with Klingons -- their culture is remarkably similar to that of American Republicans: warlike and harsh but manageable. However, the Borg scare the crap out of me. They allow no privacy or independent thoughts, much like our NSA and Congress.
It's the Daleks I can't stand
So racism against fictional species is still allowed? Just making sure.
No racism, to fictional species or otherwise, will be tolerated.
Dislike of said fictional characters is allowed.
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