Mom’s religion dominates custody hearing

[dramama]

A Maryville woman who went to court on Aug. 14 for a child custody hearing says she was persecuted because of her religious beliefs at the hands of the Blount County judicial system.

According to Jo Anne White, what was supposed to be a standard child custody hearing turned into an almost hourlong “Bible study” in the courtroom in spite of the repeated protests of her attorney, Kevin W. Shepherd.

After a detailed discussion of her religious beliefs — documented in court reporter transcripts obtained by The Daily Times — and a brief recess to chambers, Blount County Circuit Court Judge W. Dale Young awarded temporary custody of White’s two children to her ex-husband.
http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20071010/NEWS/71009023

[Faline]

:ohno

I am in shock. I mean...really in shock.

[Beeferoni]

Wow...that's really not good.

[Cd4u_2]

sounds like the judge kept questioning her about the bible. She wasn't going to lie about her religious beliefs, and she was afraid not to answer or she will get in trouble. it was one of those situation where it is "darn if you do, and darn if you don't" (sorry couldn't find a better word for it)

[MochaMel]

That is REALLy messed up, but sadly VERY true. I saw similiar behaviors and actions by the judge/and the guardian ad litem in my husband's custody hearing with his ex-wife -- didn't go quite that far thank God.. But we also walked away - so who knows how it would have ended had there not been other factors involved.

It also happened in my own custody hearing with my oldest son's father over homeschooling. The judge lectured me, and basically bashed hsing, etc. and basically wanted to take the decision to homeschool away from me with him, and anyone else apparently that made that choice; he basically told me that unless my 13 year old and his dad were okay with it he would okay the order; otherwise no way. Way over the top if you ask me for a judge to have that kind of say in a person's life...

It is the devil's playground the family court system.. and sadly it will only get MUCH, MUCH worse!

[Beeferoni]

It also happened in my own custody hearing with my oldest son's father over homeschooling. The judge lectured me, and basically bashed hsing, etc. and basically wanted to take the decision to homeschool away from me with him...
The court's one-and-only job in a custody hearing is to protect "the best interest of the child."

Judges are unlikely to view homeschooling as "the best interest of the child", and will be naturally disinclined to allow it. That's not to say that this presumption can't be overcome...but you need to understand going in what the judge's are looking for, and help the judge to understand why you believe that homeschooling is the best interest of your child.

[Cd4u_2]

The court's one-and-only job in a custody hearing is to protect "the best interest of the child."

Judges are unlikely to view homeschooling as "the best interest of the child", and will be naturally disinclined to allow it. That's not to say that this presumption can't be overcome...but you need to understand going in what the judge's are looking for, and help the judge to understand why you believe that homeschooling is the best interest of your child.

But then what if both parents believe in homeschooling, Is the judge take the child away from both parents? I think it is really unfair. He might as well take kids away from ALL parents who believe in homeschooling.

I know my child will be taken away because I am deaf. But if my husband was deaf too, it wouldn't matter. The judge would look somewhere else. like I wrote, if a judge going to base his decision because my deafness, he might as well take all kids away from their deaf parents. It would not be fair that I will lose custody because I am deaf and the father is hearing but a child with both deaf mother and father will not lose custody because of their deafness. I hope I am making sense.

. The judge should look elsewhere no matter what the person's disability or beliefs are .... he should look at it as if both parents are the same.

[ByFaithIFly]

Nothing was said about the AGE of the child or children..:scratch

[Dee]

1. This was a Seventh Day Adventist member.
2. The article does not mention the ages of the children but that the children were aggravated and harassed by the mother discussing the "beast" etc. If the children are too young that could scare the mess out of them.
3. Seventh Day Adventist teachings include vegetarianism and other “health” issues so this could've been a factor in the judge questioning her so harshly.

Bottom line we weren't in the courtroom and only have heard part of the story.

IMHO the Seventh Day Adventists are considered a cult. Something to think about.

The founder William Miller said the book of Daniel clearly showed that the world would end in the 1840s. We're still here so he's clearly a false prophet.

They also believe in The Investigative Judgement. Scripture does not say that Jesus entered the Holy of Holies in 1844. Also this teaching says that Jesus is still making atonement in heaven. Contrary to Scripture. They believe in the doctrine of "Soul Sleep" which is contrary to Scripture. Etc. Etc.

So I'm wondering if the husband has left the cult and became a Christian and there's some kind of teaching regarding the vegetarianism and other health issues that might place the children in danger? Also, the age of the children and discussion of the beast and end of the world could be damaging considering the age of the kid and/or the personality of the kid. Could traumatize them.:idunno

[lilbitsyspider]

The court's one-and-only job in a custody hearing is to protect "the best interest of the child."

Judges are unlikely to view homeschooling as "the best interest of the child", and will be naturally disinclined to allow it. That's not to say that this presumption can't be overcome...but you need to understand going in what the judge's are looking for, and help the judge to understand why you believe that homeschooling is the best interest of your child.

Well if your not a Christian and you believe what mainstream liberals say about us no wonder he gave the children to the father. :ohno Poor woman.:candle Poor children.