Tennessee mom faces jail for baptizing her two children without husband’s consent

[rug]

Lauren Jarrell violated court order stating Emmett Blake Jarrell must be consulted regarding religious upbringing

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 11:07 AM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Shelby County mother faces contempt-of-court charges and possible jail time for baptizing her two children without the knowledge or consent of her ex-husband.

This week the Tennessee Court of Appeals said Lauren Jarrell must face a criminal contempt hearing for violating a court order that said major decisions regarding the religious upbringing of her two children should be made jointly with the children's father.

Both parents are Christian. Emmett Blake Jarrell, the father, is a member of the United Methodist Church, and she's a Presbyterian.

The father, according to court records, thought the children should be baptized when they are older and better able to understand the significance of the baptismal ceremony. The couple had even consulted a minister when they were married because they couldn't agree what age was best for the kids to be baptized. Records show the children will be 5 and 7 next month.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/tennessee-mom-faces-jail-baptizing-children-husband-consent-article-1.1054080

[Ian David]

1. My wife's aunt baptized my child without my consent.

Because great-grandma was old, close to death, and was afraid my daughter would otherwise go to Hell.

It bothers me as being disrespectful and deceitful, but since I don't believe there is a god, I don't think it bothers me as much as it would if I belonged to some other religion.

She may as well have been casting a "cure light wounds" spell, as far as I'm concerned.

[SamG]

6. Why do religious beliefs so often get in ..

the way of logical thought, get in the way of respect for fellow human being's wishes?

I'd love to get an answer to that.

[rug]

7. All In The Family had an episode like that years ago.

[Ian David]

8. Yeah, I remember that. n/t

[cbayer]

2. What law has she broken here?

[Angry Dragon]

4. she broke a court order

[rug]

5. Not a law, a court order.

She share legal custody with the father, which means they must consult with each other on major issues concerning the children. Here, it is alleged she did not. She is facing sanctions for contempt of that order.

[cbayer]

9. Ah, thanks. My bad for not reading the article.

[wandy]

10. She broke with the desires of her Xhusbund. He now has a god given right..

to take vengeance for this sin and any other sin he deems appropriate.
god and apparently the State are somehow on his side.

Simple matter of manipulating the State to do you're wishes in the name of god.

[cbayer]

11. I think it may also be a case of manipulating religion in the name of vengeance.

Certainly not a first in that realm.

[wandy]

12. Sad but true. It so often works that way. People break up. Some will use all and ...

any means to obtain revenge for, for, doesn't matter.
Restrictive visitation. OK
Religious differences. OK
Calls to Xspouses employer. OK

[Angry Dragon]

3. so many gods. so little time

[Swede Atlanta]

13. While I agree this may warrant a contempt order I have to ask some questions.....

First of all what brought us to this place? The fundamental beliefs between Methodists and Presbyterians are largely the same. Yes there are differences but good grief.

I thought baptism was all about bringing an infant to be baptized in the the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Ghost that the child would be welcomed into the community of Christian believers.

I didn't know he'/she would be baptized only in one denomination and not the other.

[FarCenter]

14. Fairly weird, since both Methodists and Presbyterians practice infant baptism

He was a closet Baptist?

[pennylane100]

15. I think I am going to have to go with the husband on this one.

As an atheist, I do not think that kids need to be baptized, although as a former catholic, all my children were.


When parents cannot agree on the religious upbringing of their children it is hard to see how they could resolve their differences without the court stepping in. When the mother objected to that solution, she should have gone to the court to get it changed. However, if she thinks that disobeying a court order does not have consequences, I would have to question her grip on reality.