Judge completely ignores doctrine of separation of church and state.

[bsmooth]

She would have had a valid reason if she stuck with the premise that a strange name makes it harder on children. However, since she used her religious belief to render a decision, that was not asked for, this is not good law.

[Landshark]

First off, is Messiah an offensive name? Maybe a bit presumptuous if the mom thinks that the kid is the Messiah, however, I am willing to bet it is no different than name a kid Jesus or Muhammad or Mary.  A Catholic who names their child Mary, isn't typically making a claim their daughter is going to have a virgin birth, just that they wish to honor a women they believe did. If I met someone named Messiah I would think no differently of them than I do someone named Jesus.  That his parents are honoring their religion, not claiming a new one. 

The name Adolf Hitler is objectively offensive.  And no doubt going to cause the child trouble.

I'll give it that much that Messiah is not an offensive name.  But like CF thinks, and I concur, it is a crazy name for a kid that will impose a life sentence on them that they don't deserve.  And so will Adolf Hitler Campbell.

[Dave Gray]

I'll give it that much that Messiah is not an offensive name.  But like CF thinks, and I concur, it is a crazy name for a kid that will impose a life sentence on them that they don't deserve.  And so will Adolf Hitler Campbell.

I don't think there's anything to support this.  The kid will likely be a fuck-up, but not because of his name -- because he has bad parents.  In fact, I read a book that had a whole chapter talking about how your name is not related to your success in any way, except for correlation.  If your name is Laquita Ray-Ray Jones or Shannon Michelle Jones, it will have statistically no effect on your quality of life, when controlled for other factors, like class.

It's just easier for the government not to get involved into what people name their kids, also.

[mecadonzilla]

I wonder what this judge would think of former Providence Friar basketball player God Shammgod?

[mboss]

This past year, and this is not a joke, my daughter was in a class with a Messiah, Christian and Jesus (Latin version).

I'm sure the judge will be hearing from the FFRF at the very least.

[Landshark]

I wonder what this judge would think of former Providence Friar basketball player God Shammgod?

Or former FAMU basketball player Scientific Mapp.