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.

Are these people serious? Baptism IS a big deal, but honestly, I don’t see the difference between the Methodists and Presbyterians. I’ve been to both, and they are quite similar in ‘rituals’ and teachings. Depending on the church, they’re both pretty left in my opinion. But that’s not the issue.

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, according to court records, 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.

I was about a year the first time I was baptized. My dad was Lutheran, my mom was Presbyterian, and I was baptized in the Lutheran church. My understanding was that it didn’t matter where, it just mattered if anything happened to me begore I was old enough to understand the whole process, you know, like DIE, or some such, that I would have a slot in heaven. It made my parents feel better. Then, I was raised in the Presbyterian church. It started changing back when, and that pretty much put a stop to my church attendance. Of course, I was also going through “that stage”. I don’t suppose the father has considered that the mom was concerned about her kids souls? Yes, it’s a decision that the kids can make when they are older, but no one ever said you can’t be baptized more than once. I’ve done it 3 times.

“Obviously she knew that the father did not want the children baptized at that age and she did that without telling him,” Memphis attorney Any Amundsen, who is not involved in the case, said of the mother. “She violated the court order.”

Where’s all the hoopla about ‘separation of church and state’, which doesn’t exist, but it’s always dragged out when anyone has the audacity to go against someone’s ‘wishes’. And let me ask this….if they are both REALLY Christians, why are they divorced? I know that sometimes, things happen and that 2 people can no longer live together as man and wife, but usually, it’s because at least one of them are NOT really Christian, and they are not following the teachings of Christ. Just sayin’.

The Court of Appeals decision sides with the father, who had asked that his ex-wife be convicted of criminal contempt after discovering that she baptized the kids against his wishes.

A lower court has already found the mother in contempt of court. The appellate court decision overturned that decision and said criminal contempt proceedings are more appropriate because the mother can’t undo the baptisms.

Yeah…ok…so they were suppose to discuss the important issues, and yes, baptism is a very important issue, but honestly, it seems to me that the father is being petty. It doesn’t sound like his concern is for his kids, but getting back at his ex-wife for making a decision, I would assume, in the hopes that her children will be saved? It’s not the water that is the most important part of baptism, although, yes, it is meant to ‘wash away sin’, but it is symbolic. What is important is the cleansing of the soul, and that is a decision the kids will make as they get older.

Court records show that the mother argued that it was wrong for the lower court to find her in contempt it was tantamount to preferring the father’s religious views on baptism over hers.

But the Court of Appeals disagreed.

Why are the courts even involved? Does daddy have ties with the legal system? Just askin’.

“Mother is correct that courts `must maintain strict neutrality in cases involving religious disputes between divorced parents’ and they may not `prefer the religious views of one parent over another unless one parent’s religious beliefs and practices threaten the health and well-being of the child,” Judge Alan E. Highers wrote. “However, simply put, this is not a religious dispute.” Highers said the court is only being asked to determine whether the mother can be found in contempt for failing to follow the court order.

Well yeah…actually, it is a religious dispute. Obviously, I don’t know all the facts…just what I’m reading here, but it actually sounds like a power play. Mom is concerned for the kids’ salvation and dad got his knickers in a twist because he was left out. There’s a reason why he is the EX, meaning former, husband. I’m rather curious as to whether or not he’s a control freak. Just speculation on my part. And I do not understand why this was part of the divorce agreement to begin with. This is a very personal matter, and not one for the courts to decide.

Nashville attorney Helen Rogers says the courts ought to stay away from these kinds of decisions.

“How would a court decide between baptizing a Presbyterian and a Methodist or a Catholic,” Rogers asked. She wondered whether a court could step in and order the child of a Muslim and a Jew to attend a synagogue or a mosque. The problem, she said, is that the standard parenting plan in Tennessee orders many parents to mediation if they can’t jointly decide on major decisions involving religious upbringing. If they can’t agree even after mediation, she said, it ultimately means that a court has to decide.

Why does the state have ANY say on how or where a child should be brought up, or baptized? To me, that is a complete violation of personal liberty.. personal RELIGIOUS liberty!

“The bigger kind of global look at this is should religious decision-making be a private matter or should it be something that a court orders to begin with,” Rogers asked.

That would be a ‘definitely NOT!”

However, Amundsen said the courts are only following state law, which says the courts have to consider religious upbringing when it comes to parental decision making.

Both attorneys said it’s not unusual for parents to disagree on religious upbringing.

Why are the courts involved, at all, in ‘parental decision making’? Someone got their head screwed on wrong, and forgot that the parents have the final say in their kids’ upbringing?

If the mother is convicted, she could face up to 20 days in jail and a $100 fine.

She can’t undo the baptism, and daddy should pull his head out of his hinder, and let it drop. The kids are more important than him and his desires. Yeah, I understand he wanted to be involved, but shouldn’t the salvation of his children come before his wants? Seems to me, that’s what mom’s concern was when she took this action. Unless, of course, it was to get back at him for some reason, which has been known to happen on a regular basis. Women can be quite vindictive. Then again, so can men. There is no mention of whether or not the kids wanted to be baptized, and really, shouldn’t THAT be the first consideration, of both the parents, and (*gritting teeth*) the courts?  Seems to me that neither the court or the dad are considering what would happen to the kids if mom spends 20 days in jail.  As for the fine?  Well, I’d be happy to take up a collection if it comes to that!

Former GOP Vice President Dick Cheney is recovering from heart transplant surgery at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia, a spokeswoman said Saturday evening.

In 2010, Cheney had a left ventricular assist device implanted for treatment of end-stage heart failure. The former vice president has been on the cardiac transplant list for more than 20 months.

Though he and his family do not know the identity of the donor, they will be forever grateful for this lifesaving gift, the spokeswoman also said.

I was under the impression that no one is suppose to know who the donor is, right?  Oh well.  Sending many prayers to Mr VP and his family.  Here’s hoping he’ll have a really speedy recovery.

You realize, of course, if ObamaCare was in play, there is no way a 71 year old man would have been able to get a heart transplant.  On my even more cynical side, I wonder how many on the left will be making their usual nasty remarks, wishing for death, etc.  We know it’s coming…that’s just the type of people (?) they are…why should we expect anything different from them now?

An overnight blaze in Adamsville completely destroyed three Main Street buildings, including the SawMeal Restaurant and Steakhouse, located at 142 East Main Street.

According to Lt. Kenny Brewer of the Adamsville Fire Department, Adamsville Fire and surrounding units battled the fire for hours and as of around 8:30 AM this morning, the cause of the fire was still undetermined and pending investigation.

“The fire is under control but there are still areas that are hot; still alot of smoke” said Brewer.

Along with the Saw Meal, that was completely destroyed, the Dance Academy adjacent to the Saw Meal and the Saw Meal’s large dining room were also declared completely destroyed in the fire. the Saw Meal’s Coffee shop and a tanning salon sustained heavy smoke and water damage.

Sad!  We haven’t been to the Saw Mill in quite a while due to, well, issues.  But while they may not have had the best food around, it was pretty darn good, with the type of friendly service you would expect in a Southern restaurant, and don’t get me started on their homemade cakes the size of a small house!  GOOD stuff!  I’m hoping there wasn’t any chicanery involved, and would be real happy to see them open back up in the not too distant future!

As an aside: I thought the name was Sawmill, but here it’s spelled Saw Meal, plus it’s listed both ways on Google. Oh well, no biggie.

Of course, this weekend was just chocked full of nonsense in the political world, and I should give a flip, but it’s really getting difficult to even acknowledge the stupidity that runs rampant in our world these days.  What can you say about probably the worst excuse for a debate mediator?  What a total maroon!  CBS has made itself even more irrelevant in the world of news.  Criminy!  Is that even possible?

We, at least those of us who still capable of putting a coherent thought together, already know the lame stream is less than useless for factual information.  The better question would be to the CNN propagandist: “Are YOU uninformed, out of touch, or irresponsible?” The obvious answer would be “Oh yeah, I’m as dumb as a post oak stump!”

So, on that happy note, I am going to do something I haven’t done in 3 days! Take a pain killer and go horizontal for a while! sigh….

I understand the reasoning, and I think it’s a really good idea, but for some reason, I have this mental image of a cow barn. 

I was planning on getting rid of my Android anyway.  Just another good reason.

Do economic sanctions actually accomplish anything?  Other than piss off those being sanctioned?  Just curious.

Don’t eat the beef!

Dude, the only way to ‘mend’ your broken society is to kill the entitlement mentality.  Good luck with that!

George Will is starting to chap my hide.  He might want to reconsider sounding like the libtard media. 

Stuff your ‘super committee’ and get the hell out of the way!

99 arrests?  23 convictions?  Excuse me, but why was this trash walking the streets?

These bozos really should stash their trash where it belongs…..at the White House!

The animals are not ever going to stop murdering.  It’s what they do.

The evil in the world continues to grow.

Isn’t it amazing that while that while the pallies are always lobbing rockets into Israeli neighborhoods, it’s always the Israelis the “world” are so quick to condemn.

Perhaps Barney, Maxine and the rest of their cronies would like to rethink their comments, and take responsibility for their do nothing attitude?  It might have been prevented.  Past time for the government to get out of the business world, and return to what they were actually created to do.

They also need to get out of the education of our kids too.

The only thing the Dems want in Wisconsin is to further destroy the state’s economy, and allow the unions, who elect them to run roughshod over the the taxpayers.  I’d call that pretty regressive….to the old Soviet days.  Residents of the state had to put up with their feckless and reckless spending during the Doyle years.  I don’t remember conservatives behaving like spoiled children.

Perhaps it was a trial run?

The military is SUPPOSE to be funded by our tax dollars.  The rest of the crap they keep throwing money at is NOT.

Has Kilpatrick’s book even made enough money to pay back the state?  Can’t imagine why anyone would want to read it, but then, there are some strange people in this world.

Teachers should be evaluated frequently.   All of them, country wide!  I’m finding out just how little my granddaughter knows, thanks to her public education.  Quite sad.

It wouldn’t surprise me a bit!

You hear the constant whining of the left about ‘big corporations’ and such, but why don’t they ever complain when it’s the government employees that do much worse?  After all, government employees are paid by taxpayers.  Doesn’t their greed deserve some serious scrutiny?  SOBs need to lose any and all benefits, do time, AND repay every single dime they bilked from the taxpayers!

WHAT THE HELL??????  Whose tiny demented brain came up with such an insulting idea?  Why not put up a statue to honor Hitler why they’re at it.  Jeeeeeeeez!

Welcome home, soldier.  R.I.P.

What we NEED is a radical change in Washington, starting in the White House!  I suppose he figures since it’s not his money, he’s free to spend as much as he wants, on whatever he wants.  Guess what dude!  You ain’t KING!

Rather surprising coming from a San Fransisco judge.  However, the ruling has no teeth, so what’s the point?

He stopped being a kid when he decided to commit murder.  Perhaps if Mexico had the death penalty, and great many of their problems would be diminished substantially.

I wouldn’t advice any Republican to compromise on tax hikes!  I would suggest, however, that the Democrats remove their heads from their hinders!  We do NOT work for you.  YOU work for US!  We don’t want to foot the bills for all your billion dollar pet projects anymore.  We are fed up with supporting countries that hate us.   We don’t believe it’s the government’s job to raise children of irresponsible parents.  And we are sick and tired of all the lies!

If he had made a previous attempt, why, pray tell, was he out on the streets able to murder that child?  Shouldn’t he have been behind bars?

Handing over control of the zoo to the hyenas makes about as much sense as handing over control to the Afghanis.  They’re going to kill each other, and those there to help in their security?  Fine.  Let them slaughter each other, and let’s get the hell out.

Wanna buy a house?

Shut them down.  Crisis averted.

Does this mean that the reports of al-Qaeda being in the mix were false, or that the current administration is recognizing them as a legitimate government.  I’m extremely confused.

And water is wet.  Well, it’s wet in Pakistan, too.

Shelia Jackson Lee is a race baiting poverty pimp, and her constituents are morons.  Just my opinion.

Maybe they’ll keep her.  She already believes she’s a queen over here. 

It’s not about education.  It’s all about power.  They should ALL be fired, and let people who actually CARE about teaching kids take over.

I guess there is no such thing as ‘self defense’ over there, and it’s just peachy to cut someone’s head off for TRYING not to be raped. And then expect payment?  Barbarians!

Race should play NO role in admissions to a school!  If we truly want a color blind society, it’s way past time to remove “RACE” from any and all applications!

NO ONE in the Obama administration is qualified to do diddly!  The Senate may think this guy was a good choice, but then, the Senate is full of hacks!  So, what do they know.  Remember when Communism was a BAD thing?

Well, that’s what you get when a city is full of corruption.

Honestly, I’m surprised THAT many will vote for the man/child.  Ignorance is NOT bliss!  Snap out of it!

How do you make a ‘wrong turn‘ on a bloomin’ runway? 

Unless it’s an undercover cop, I don’t see what the problem is with taking pictures. 

I’m thinking it would be kind of nice to have no outside interference from governments.

I really don’t think this guy is going to get too far.  He might as well be a Democrat and run against Obama in the primary.

Ya might not have to water it, but ya do have to wash it? 

It always amazes me that the Israelis are so tolerant of the continuous bombings without taking extreme retaliation measures.  The fact they only bombed the tunnel, and not many miles around it speaks volumes about their patience with terrorist thugs.

Perhaps FedEx should take over the Post Office?  It’s apparent they know how to run things.

I wonder if I can get ‘em to pay for my surgery and physical therapy? 

How can this fool be ‘pushing jobs’, when he does everything within his power, and a lot that is NOT in his power, to destroy them?

I like a man with confidence as opposed to arrogance. 

Serious question:  Before the influx of invaders from foreign countries, was this a serious problem in the U.S.?

Apparently, city councils seem to think it’s ok to have possession of keys to someone’s personal property.  And it’s not all that uncommon. Try that at this house, you might get your ass shot!

Wanna buy a lighthouse?  Wonder if you’d have to put one of those ridiculous boxes on it?

And just why don’t we limit the number of foreigners who supposedly come to work, and forget to go home?  I’m pretty sure THEIR penalties are a lot tougher than our little pat on the head.

Nope.  Don’t think this guy is the right one for the job….or the country.  Someone what to tell me what Libya has to do with our  security?  How ’bout putting troops on the border, where IS in the best interest of OUR national security!  Does ANYONE in D.C. have a clue what’s in the U.S. Constitution?????

They apparently crawl into the swamp, and turn into snakes.

These people don’t live on the same planet, do they.  If a lizard or a mosquito is more important than a human life, they have SERIOUS problems!  And just what the hell is a freakin’ pupfish, and who cares?

You can call it anything you want, but a ‘food stamp’ is still a food stamp!  Instead of worry about the stigma of being on welfare, how about worrying about whether or not this is a lifetime career choice.

Can we say NO?  They’ve had plenty of time to get their own house in order, and I’m tired of American soldiers being killed because the Iraqis can’t, or won’t, step up!

It seems to me that battling a beetle would be a local problem, not a federal one.

I would think that any incursion of Islam into America would be harmful, for the entire country, not just Murfreesboro.

It doesn’t matter what we, or anyone else does.  These animals will continue murdering until there is no one left to kill.

One more Obama scheme to bilk the country.  It’s OUR money, and we already know the carbon credit crap is nothing more than a scam!

Why don’t you morons just quit freakin’ spending??  Get the hell out of OZ and take a good hard look at what such stupidity has already done!

It’s nice to know that Rep Giffords is improving…..slowly but surely.  Who knows…maybe one day soon, she can retake her seat in Congress.  After all, she is one of the very few rational Democrats.

But waste money is what Congress does best!

Personal opinion:  It would be money well spent to send these animals back to the 12th century, instead of bombing Yemen.

Corruption in Detroit.  Gee, what a shocker. 

And people wonder why the rest of the country is laughing at Wisconsin?  There is no punishment for the thugs.  Arrested and released doesn’t set a very good example.  If you haven’t seen the video of the thug ‘zombies‘, prepare to be pissed.

There is something really wrong with the people in California.

A couple of questions here.  One, what business is it of the Senate what a bank charges in fees.  Two, if a bank raises it’s fee to the merchant, the merchant passes on such fees to the consumer, and the consumer may find another bank to do business with, or not use a credit card at all.  I’m a bit confused on this whole mess.

Because there are animals roaming the streets, kids can’t play in a park.  Nice.  How’s that gun ban working out for y’all?

I’m tired of hearing about Weiner’s wanker.

Likely Cacey Anthony killed her little girl, so convict her, shoot her, and let’s move on.

If the leftist media hates Sarah Palin so much, why do they follow her around like puppies, and then complain?  It’s rather pathetic.

The ACLU would rather fight for junkies and sue a governor than use what little sense God gave them.

No, Jesus is NOT a prophet of Islam.  He never taught hatred, rape and murder!

Will Obama cheat?  Will Boehner kick his butt?  Stay tuned!  Important stuff here, don’cha know!

Dr Death is dead.  Yeah….whatever.

If I wanted to die on the highways, I’d buy an aluminum can on wheels, too.

Hmmm……  I think I’m in a ‘mood’. 

At least one journalist did his job.  He investigated, and wrote the story.  Now, he’s dead.  Is this why U.S. ‘journalist’ never seem to do the leg work anymore?  Or are they just too freakin’ lazy to dig for the truth.  Some will risk their lives.  Ours?  Won’t risk a broken nail.

The clueless POTUS is trying to push his anti-Israeli wishes on a sovereign country.  It’s nice to know there are at least a few leaders with the cajones to stand up to this spoiled man/child.  It is so obvious that reality is so much different than the little pictures he carries in his head.  Jerusalem must never, EVER, be divided again!  Perhaps Obama needs to read more of history, and less of Alinsky.

WHAT???  You don’t talk “peace” with rabid animals!  You SHOOT them!

I wonder just how qualified you have to be to put a noose around a murderer’s neck?  I wouldn’t think it would be that difficult, but then, what do I know. 

I wonder if this judge is aware that his ruling is unconstitutional?  Probably not, since most people in a position of power are fairly ignorant when it comes to the Constitution, and the intent of the Founders.  They’ve pretty much destroyed any semblance of a country founded on liberty.  Yet, we keep letting them get away with it because WE are also quite ignorant of the facts.  Perhaps if our schools actually TAUGHT about our founding, instead of using the education system as agenda indoctrination centers, we would have never sunk this low.  I would suggest that it’s past time for people to educate themselves and put a stop to this erosion of liberties.

I’m all for kids eating healthier.  I’m also very much in favor of the federal government butting out of our business.  If they want to raise our kids, then they should foot the bills….personally!  I wonder how they’d react if a bunch of people took their kids to the Capital and dropped them off?  I mean, after all, if they want the power to dictate, then they should also have the responsibility to feed, clothe and house them as well.  It also might be a good idea if the nannies stopped worry about little jr getting a boo boo when out playing, and let the kids be kids….again!  Kids started getting fatter when the nannies stepped in!

The man has said repeatedly….HE’S NOT RUNNING!  Pay attention people!  There are a couple of good (not great) candidates y’all should be putting your efforts, and money, towards.

Well, this should be interesting.  A credible challenger for Cohen.  Now, if we could just get a strong Republican opponent in the race…..  I wonder if Charlotte is considering another run? 

There’s no doubt about it.  The lawmakers of California have no idea how to balance a checkbook.  They also seem quite happy to continue paying convicted non-elected officials their ridiculously fat pensions.  Is it any wonder why the rest of the country thinks Californians are just plain nuts?

You mean to tell me that people just stood around and watched a man drown because of a POLICY????  WTF??????????????  How about some common human decency?  Is THAT against the law???  What were the bystanders doing?  Scratching their asses waiting for the ‘big show’?  What the HELL is wrong with people????????????

I honestly can’t think of any reason to EVER go to New York City.  With the continuous incursion on personal rights, I can’t think of any reason why anyone would ever want to live there!

And if anyone knows about NOT being credible, it would be this White House.

With 12 fake IDs, I’d have to say this guy was up to no good, wouldn’t you?

Nice birthday wish.  It’s a shame he’s been the cause of ‘em.  My birthday wish?  A new president!  One that doesn’t hate America!

Can we PLEASE kick California out of the union?  Give it back to Mexico!  They think it’s theirs anyway.  PLEASE!!

Jello wrestling?  At the South Pole???????????  There is NO reason OUR money should be funding such ridiculous “experiments”!  Who the hell oks this kind of crap, and believes it’s just honky dory!?!?

I don’t know why people are surprised when the claims for unemployment benefits rise.  The economy is NOT recovering, contrary to the unicorn rainbow farters.

I don’t care! Never have…..never will!

We must continue to pray that every person will be found!

Just gotta love technology.  Sometimes. 

Wonder when the feminazis will get all up in arms about this?  *crickets*

I vote we make ‘em ALL suicide bombers. Then they can blow each other up….problem solved!

Just when I thought Texas was going to stand tall and make us proud again, they show their true colors.

It’s just not smart to hire criminals!