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Judge Refuses Pastor’s Request to Change His Family’s Last Name to ‘ChristIsKing’

Oct. 18, 2012 1:32pm Billy Hallowell

A pastor and his wife have been told that they cannot legally change their last name to ChristIsKing — a request the family made four years after attempting to change their son’s first name to JesusIsLord.

Just as he had years ago when Michael and Angela Nwadiuko pushed to amend their son Jeremy’s name, Staten Island Civil Court Judge Philip Straniere told the pastor and his wife that the ChristIsKing change isn’t permissible. While he declined the 2008 request, the family was able to secure the faith-based first name through the Virginia court system.

Earlier this month, the judge cited the separation of church and state as his reasoning for refusing the family’s latest ”ChristIsKing” request.

Michael and Angela Nwadiuko Lose Bid to Change Name to ChristIsKing

Michael and Angela Nwadiuko (Photo Credit: Facebook)

“To permit this name change would be placing unwitting members of the public, including public servants, in the position of having to proclaim [the Nwadiukos'] religious beliefs which may or may not be in agreement with that person’s own equally strongly-held but different beliefs,” the judge proclaimed in the decision, according to The Staten Island Advance.

“What would be people’s reactions to hear the [Nwadiukos] being paged at an airport or some other public event?,” the judge added.

Straniere’s argument was clearly predicated upon the fact that it would be unfair to force non-believers to say a religiously-based named that they are inherently opposed to on theological grounds.

The family, of course, is no stranger to controversy. The Advance has more about a 2009 biting incident that showcases just how strongly they adhere to their beliefs:

In October 2009, Nwadiuko, also known as Michael Ihedioha, was accused of felony assault for allegedly biting a police officer aboard the ferryboat Andrew J. Barberi, according to Advance reports.

Prosecutors said Nwadiuko, a Nigerian native, was preaching around 12:45 a.m. on a Staten Island-bound boat with his arms outstretched, blocking an aisle. Nwadiuko refused a cop’s order to move three times, then tussled with officers who tried to arrest him.

His wife also was arrested when she disregarded orders to leave a “secure location” on the boat where officers had taken her husband.

Michael, pastor of Christ the Lord Evangelistic Association in Springville, New York, was disappointed with Straniere’s ruling, but he said that he prays that “God will bless” the judge’s life, The Associated Press reports.

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Comments (67)

BurntHills
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 6:02pm
that communist obama judge’s name should be changed to IKneeltoObama

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- Komponist-ZAH
  Posted on October 19, 2012 at 7:12am
  What a stupid argument.
  
  By that standard you’d have to ban practically every Hebraic/biblical name.
  
  Report this comment
paulrogers
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 4:51pm
They let a basketball player change his name to “Worldpeace.” This is nonsense and the judge is digging the bottom of the barrel for reasons for this denial. If you want to change your name to anything and for whatever reason, you should have that right. Paging a person with such a name does not declare you believe it or accept it.

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- Duddio
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 11:24pm
  What about all the muslim converts that take the name mohamed? Will those be discriminated against? If a parent names their child Jesus, will this judge make them change it to Joey?
  
  Judge got a powa trip trippin….
  
  Report this comment
- Bugleboy99
  Posted on October 19, 2012 at 6:31am
  Separation of church and state is not in our constitution.
  
  Report this comment
COFemale
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 4:35pm
Although I agree parents can name their children anything they want and the court should comply. They can’t not say with 100% certitude that people will be offended. It is only conjecture made by the judge. Having said this

Are these people idiots. They already are doing a disservice to their son by changing his 1st name. This kid is going to be teased and bullied his entire life until he reaches 18 and he can change it back. This Pastor need to be shown the error of his ways. Repent now pastor. Heal thyself.

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- ThankGod7
  Posted on November 1, 2012 at 6:04am
  First off! How you going to call anybody idiots and you know nothing about them? This is my family, and my uncle and aunt changed my cousin’s name when he was a young teen and wanted to change it as well because like his parents and siblings, he is very religious. They do not care If he gets teased or not, It’s about honoring the Lord and the name he is now given, and to make many people aware too. And he’s 18 now enjoying his name to the fullest. Please don’t talk ignorantly about things you have no clue of.
  
  Report this comment
SquidVetOhio
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 4:12pm
Has this moron judge ever taken a freaking law class? I swear, these judges just make stuff up now. He should have changed it to JudgeStrainereLikesGayPorn. How’s that?

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Gonzo
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:58pm
Ochocinco may now be available now pastor.

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- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 4:07pm
  rofl!
  
  Does John Cougar Mellencamp’s name change force me to admit I’m a middle aged woman chasing younger men? I’m deleting him off my iPod now.
  
  Report this comment
hi
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:50pm
We can name ourselves anything we want. It is a free country. In fact I am frequently paged at airports and grocery stores and my name is Muhammudisapedophile. (kidding)

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- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 4:13pm
  lol. You might want to steer clear of Dearborn, MI.
  
  Report this comment
vaman
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:03pm
So if this kids physco parents had their way, his full name would have been Jesusislord Christisking. Would his nickname be christ or jesus? Maybe just lord for short? Just disturbing. Someone should pray about it.

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- OniKaze
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:21pm
  SOME religious people are COMPLETELY CRAZY, while others are just somewhat “off-base”….
  
  That being said,. if someone wants to be crazy and change their name, who is to say what it could be??
  
  And How is separation of church and state (last I check, your family’s last name IS NOT a “State” issue) related IN ANY WAY to the naming of a person or family… I don’t think this would be a good idea (for what it would do to the child) but I feel if THAT is what the whacky family wants, let them do it…
  
  Its kinda like how I use Obama bumper stickers to single out the complete morons of society, this name would let you know that this family is a bunch of OVER the top religious wackos…
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:36pm
  You must not have many Latinos in your area. Jesus (aka Chuy or Jesse) is a very popular name!
  
  I dated a man whose name was Christian. We all called him Chris for short. I know more than one Christina, too.
  
  There are plenty of examples of using specifically Christian names.
  
  Report this comment
- ThankGod7
  Posted on November 1, 2012 at 6:11am
  Because someone wants to change their name based on what they believe in, you call them crazy?? You think they doing this as a joke? You have no idea and of course you wouldnt even come close to understand because you are most likely have not the slightest clue of what it is and means to be truly religious. Both of yall can not criticize a family you do NOT even know, the kid, my cousin, is a full grown religious man who LOVES his name since he had it as a teenager. And please do not ever in your life call my family whacky because i can guarantee you you are nowhere near our intellect.
  
  Report this comment
Ilikepeople
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:50pm
That’s weird because while their lips are saying “Separation of church and state” their is another movement trying to make Sharia part of judicial law. Just like it’s weird that while the government is supporting all these anti-bullying policies for schools the government is bullying. It’s almost as if they think if I look at the right hand that I can’t see the left hand.

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- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:00pm
  But on the other hand..Lol, they probably think I can’t see where the entire body is going while I’m busy watching the right hand, and the left hand. See because you don’t just watch the left hand and the right hand, you have to watch where the feet are carrying the body to also.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:04pm
  Kind of like Leonardo Di Vinci’s Vitruvian man standing there in the circle.
  
  Report this comment
Ilikepeople
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:45pm
Seems to me that Jeremy is already a Biblical name. Jesus is Lord so why make your son’s first name that? Then to make the last name “Christisking?” Strange, because Christ is Lord, and isn’t King in that men have kings. So how is he both lord and king? I’d say the judicial system got a good work out however for flexing it’s might to uphold something called “Separation of Church and State” although I think that’s supposed to mean they don’t interfere with the practice of religion.

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- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:56pm
  There’s a separation of church and state so they can’t make a state religion whereby everyone is told how to interpret the Bible, or the Koran, but if everyone is watching the Bible then they might not see the Koran slip in through the back door.
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:39pm
  Actually, Jesus is the King of kings. In Judaism, YHVH is called “King of the universe” (melech ha-olam).
  
  There is a long history of using this title to refer to God in Judaism and Christianity.
  
  Report this comment
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:44pm
The government has no business declaring what you name your children. I don’t see the government denying parents calling their child Jesus. Of course, if you are not Hispanic, you do get a little uncomfortable the first time you hear it.

Having said that, I think these folks are certifiable nuts.

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- taxpro4u03
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 6:09pm
  The first question that needs to be ask, is “why?” (question with boldness) — a ‘name’ is more than .. ‘a name.’ For instance, ‘WHY, prior to 1933 were the vast majority of births, deaths and marriages recorded in the family Bible?’ – WHY does one’s ‘name’ appear in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS on ‘the’ Social Security Card?’ (IS that ‘you, or are ‘you’ ACTING as an agent, in whose ‘name’ the TRUST was established “…and for other purposes.” Does the card BELONG to ‘you? WHY NOT? — What is the ‘name’ on the birth certificate? Does it MATCH the name on the social Security card? WHY NOT? — These are VERY relevant questions that need to be answered BY ‘YOU.’ How about ‘your’ licenses? {driver’s/’professional, hunting, fishing, etc’} what ARE they, and how do they apply or NOT apply to ‘you.’ WHY? Who are ‘you?’ — ;-) This information is all out there…. USE IT! Appropriately, and with HONOR.
  
  Report this comment
jrc99
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:40pm
Hey isn’t there a family who named their kid Hitler? Wasn’t free speech in play there?

Anyhoo, what a great idea, although I wouldn’t have done it. Can you imagine when “ChristIsKing” gets said out loud or over an intercom in a public building? LOL! Nice!

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- Elena2010
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:40pm
  And on a tangent to that. Hitler did compel Jews who had non-Jewish sounding names change their names to “Israel, Jacob, Abraham, Sarah, Rebekah, etc.”
  
  Report this comment
paperpushermj
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:22pm
I wonder if this Judge permits paper and coin money to be exchanged in the Courthouse? After all coins have the American trinity imprinted on their surface of In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum and Liberty on them. When someone pays for a ticket does the same Judge think because In God We Trust is found on paper money, that the Recipient is being put upon.
In other words this Judge is a PC Idiot.

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:16pm
I know it is an old joke or cliche but my friend’s wife worked in a welfare office and she saw many babies registered as ‘female’ for their first name. Their mothers thought the hospital name the kid for them and they thought the name was ‘Female (Fee-maw-lee). These same mothers will vote. Scary….isn’t it?

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- Al J Zira
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:23pm
  I have a real one for you. My daughter works in a labor and delivery room and one of the names the mother picked was: shi-TAY-ed. But spelled it Shithead. No lie it’s an honest story.
  
  Report this comment
guz75
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:10pm
These aren’t names, they’re proclamations squashed into a single word. It’s quite clear this pastor wants people to say, what he wants them to say, whether they want to or not. They’re absolutely right not to allow him to do it.

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- paperpushermj
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:34pm
  So what? Their words.. if someone is a non believer it has no meaning in a similar way as a none believer saying Judeo-Christian. In your opinion does saying Judeo-Christian infringe on a none believer as well?
  
  Report this comment
- guz75
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:23pm
  How is ‘Judeo-Christian’ a proclamation of anything. I’m guessing if I decided to name my kid ‘JesusWasGay’, people round here wouldn’t be so keen.
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on October 19, 2012 at 12:02am
  I’m half with Guz on this one. First, the judge is just stupid it’s not a seperation of church and state. It’s an individual rights issue. That said, this is just obnoxious. No one should be naming their kid Jesus is anything. It would be just weird for the kid. I wouldn’t want my name to be that even if I believed it. Not to mention I don’t think we should be naming our kids anything that has Jesus in it. Whatever.
  
  Report this comment
RANGER1965
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:09pm
Forget for a moment whether his name change desire is stupid or wise….or whether his motives are serving God, or an exercise in personal vanity.

The real interesting thing is the truly amazing efforts in circular reasoning, and nebulous insanity that this judge went through to make this illegal and unforgivable ruling. Seperation of Church and State my A**!!

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willingtoupe
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:05pm
JesusisLord, didn’t I tell you to clean up your room and eat your vegetables. If your don’t I am gonna woop your @$$!

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term limits for congress
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:59pm
If he’d try to change hims name to Mohammed Allah Holy Prophet, Jr. Deluxe Blanket, he would have been successful.

After seeing his picture, I think a better name choice would be Harmless Successfully Medicated.

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- taxpro4u03
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 6:16pm
  Lew Alcinder and Cassius Clay did it… what’s the PROBLEM? :-)
  
  Report this comment
doomytram
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:58pm
What if he wanted to change his name to Abdul Macmooud Jaber Abdullah? And what if he chopped off his wives head, because she opened her mouth in public, drove a car, and touched a zucchini at grocery store and was let go because of Sharia? Sharia judges…..fekking better believe it…!

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Cavallo
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:49pm
You may not have a religious name change. The Lord God that is Government will bide no competition. Hail and harken to the priests in the black robes of government.

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- Mapache
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:58pm
  I am sure the judge would have allowed Obamaislord or Barackismymacdaddy!
  
  Report this comment
stoptyranny
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:48pm
Things like this do not honor God. It only brings attention to yourself and hurts Christianity.

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- stoptyranny
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:56pm
  I should also add that they should have the legal right to be able to change their name to anything they want.
  
  Report this comment
- Al J Zira
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:25pm
  But since the courts are supposed to be secular and in a time where Prince can change his name to a stupid looking symbol, is this so out of line?
  
  Report this comment
- ThankGod7
  Posted on November 1, 2012 at 6:22am
  You have no idea to their reasoning of changing their name sir…if it was any ignorant half religious fool who decided to change their name to something like this because he thought it would show his faith, then that would be stupid
  
  Report this comment
2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:47pm
The judge is a fool and his decision is irresponsible. Several years ago a man in my state petitioned the court to change his legal name to Santa Clause. The trial denied the petition saying it would give him an unfair advantage over creditors because no one would sue Santa Clause. The court also said it would assist him in fraudulent conduct because anyone would trust Santa Clause. The gentleman appealed to the State Supreme Court and won. The prerequisite to be a trial court judge in this country is (1) be legally trained and (2) be a bad enough attorney that you can’t make it being an attorney.

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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:47pm
When working in LE I’ve run across name changes to some truly awfully foul words used as names. Have come across a number of children named essentially Shi-thead. At least, that is how we pronounced it. There are some sorry assed parents, and government employees out there.

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- Wool-Free Vision
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:57pm
  The best ones I’ve heard:
  
  T-a (pronounced tah-dash-ah)
  Aquanetta (named for the hairspray)
  
  And a friend of mine was standing in line at the grocery checkout and heard the following conversation:
  
  Girl in line looking at cashier’s nametag: “Girl, yo name is Telephone?!?!”
  
  Cashier: “Nah, girl, dat’s ‘Teleffanie.’” (like Persephone, but Telephone)
  
  Report this comment
- MeteoricLimbo
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:02pm
  I know some fine folks with the last name of Kristmas, Would that judge make them change it to say Ramadan?
  
  Report this comment
- pluqqer
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:34pm
  Personal favorites i have run across
  
  La Placenta
  
  Orangejello and his borther
  Lemonjello
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:34pm
  Hi RJJ,
  
  Some foreign names I’ve run across are pretty funny and not done on purpose like, Dr. Cow Dung.
  
  The wost I’ve seen was an American family named Hole that named their daughter Iona.
  
  Some people can be so cruel….. : (
  
  Report this comment
Carlinpa
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:46pm
Re”Earlier this month, the judge cited the separation of church and state as his reasoning for refusing the family’s latest ”ChristIsKing” request.” Ahh who owns the name? Him or the state? This bizarre.. since when does the state control who what you cal yourself.

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Elena2010
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:44pm
Didn’t Cat Stevens become “Yusef Islam”? What’s the difference?

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- Cavallo
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:57pm
  One is a protected class. The other is fair game to discriminate against. Make sure you thank a vet for your.. lol freedom.
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 3:34pm
  I am a vet — retired Navy. So, you’re welcome.
  
  Report this comment
blackyb
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:38pm
All that showoff worship does nothing to impress God. Some people are seeking attention at the expense of their child being made to suffer for his name. This kid is being used and that is a sin, for the child will make his own decisions. That playing up to God cuts no ice with him. The sin and torment that child will suffer will outweigh any good things that could come from his name being used as a bill board when the child will most likely rebel in some big way and counter anything good in the name. The parents do not seem to care about the feelings of their child.

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- 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:50pm
  That’s not the point here, BlackyB. When the government starts telling you what you can and can’t name yourself or your kids, we are on a very slippery slope. What if the guy wants to name his kids Peter, James and John or Moses, Abraham, Elizabeth, or even Mary? Is the Court going to prevent that as well? Once the government takes an inch, its all over.
  
  Report this comment
- Blacktooth
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 1:53pm
  Excellent reasoning Blackyb.
  
  Report this comment
- Cavallo
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:03pm
  @2minutes, Its all over.
  
  Report this comment
- 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 2:13pm
  CAV: Its not all over yet, but we are close to the edge and moving closer and closer every day.
  
  Report this comment
- taxpro4u03
  Posted on October 18, 2012 at 6:30pm
  A Boy named, ‘Sue’ — Johnny Cash
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1BJfDvSITY
  
  Report this comment
- ThankGod7
  Posted on November 1, 2012 at 6:30am
  Once again, @BlackyB Your whole statement is completely and utterly false. Why is it that ignorant people read a lil story and act like they know everything about the situation?? The ‘kid’ is now an 18 yr old man who had the name as a young teen and was a more than willing participant in the matter as well. You have no clue of what you are talking about with this family, which happens to be my family as well. They are definitely not doing this to “show off” thats absurd. The ‘kid’ my younger cousin is a devoted child of God raised right and does everything he does in service of the Lord. Please you ignorant people, do not comment on matter you have no IDEA about.
  
  Report this comment

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