Formal Ethics Charges Filed Against Magistrate Who Rejected "Messiah" As Child's Name

On Wednesday, the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct filed formal charges (full text) against Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew who insisted that parents change their child's first name from "Messiah" to "Martin.", even though the only name issue in the case related to the child's last name.  Ballew gave as the reason that Messiah is a title held only by Jesus Christ. (See prior posting.)  The charges claim that Ballew violated rules requiring judges to promote confidence in the judiciary and avoid bias and prejudice based, among other things, on religion.  Reuters reports on developments. (See prior related posting.)