TN Judge Overturns Ruling, Allows “Baby Messiah”

Written by Don Byrd
In one of the stranger stories of the year, a Tennessee magistrate judge previously ruled a woman could not name her baby “Messiah” because of its religious significance. Unsurprisingly, that ruling did not survive scrutiny. At a hearing yesterday, a chancellor overturned that ruling and found the magistrate acted unconstitutionally.

TN Judge Orders Mother to Change “Messiah’s” Name

Written by Don Byrd
A judicial magistrate in Newport, Tennessee has decided a couple’s proposed name for their child is just too religious for her taste. So she picked a name she liked instead. Jaleesa Martin was in front of Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew because she and her newborn’s father couldn’t agree on the child’s last name. But when Ballew saw the child’s first name was “Messiah,” she ordered it changed to Martin.

Murfreesboro Mosque Opponents Still Trying

Written by Don Byrd
Efforts to halt the construction and opening of an Islamic Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee have failed at most every turn. Fortunately, courts have made clear that federal law protects the right of the facility to proceed. Congregants were able to move into the new building last year. But, opponents have yet to concede and are now taking their case to the state Supreme Court.

6th Circuit: Hamilton Co. (TN) Prayer Policy OK, but its Application Can be Challenged

Written by Don Byrd
Because the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear a case in the next term about government meetings that open with prayer, courts across the country may have helpful guidance in how to approach theses cases. In the meantime, they still adjudicate these difficult cases. On Friday, the 6th Circuit ruled constitutional (PDF) the prayer policy for Tennessee’s Hamilton County meetings, but allowed a lawsuit to continue that challenges the way in which that policy has been applied during the past year.