Posted on 12/26/2005 11:39:48 AM PST by laney
NEW YORK (AP) - A New York man's holiday spirits soared to celestial heights Friday when a judge gave him permission to change his name to Jesus Christ.
Jose Luis Espinal, 42, said he was "happy" and "grateful" the judge approved the change, effective immediately. Espinal said he was moved to seek the name change about a year ago when it dawned on him, "I am the person that is that name."
Espinal, who acted as his own lawyer, had the change approved by Manhattan Civil Court Judge Diane Lebedeff, who said she was "satisfied that this application is neither novel, nor would granting it pose practical problems."
The judge said name-change applications usually are not denied just because the change might cause practical difficulties or be thought unwise, as long as a person with the same name does not object to the proposed change.
She cited a 2001 Utah case in which a man legally changed his name to Santa Claus and a Washington case earlier this year in which a name change applicant obtained a driver's licence and Social Security card in the name of Jesus Christ.
The judge compared those cases with that of actor Peter Lorre's widow, who objected to a man who said he was the actor's relative changing his name to Peter Lorie.
Though laws differ by jurisdiction, the judge said, there seems to be a national consensus that a name cannot be changed to a number. She cited a South Dakota court ruling against a change to 1069 and a California court rejecting III as name.
The judge said she held a hearing in which Espinal, who also uses the last name Tejeda, testified. She said he was aware of the "common law right to assume another name without legal proceedings, so long as the change is not made to deceive or perpetrate a fraud or to avoid an obligation" but wanted to go the formal route anyway.
The judge said Espinal's "reasons were primarily those applicable to his own private religious beliefs and he stated no desire to use his proposed name to secure publicity, to proselytize, to fund-raise or advise others that he had been cloaked by the courts or government with a religious authority."
Espinal, who is unemployed and unmarried and has no children, said: "This was not done for any reason other than I am that person. You're dealing with the real deal."
So, how many folks is he inviting over for fishes and loaves to celebrate his name change? Will he be serving water...or wine......hmmm.
Not that this guy is worried about a job, but how will he ever be able to work in the public sector?
HELLO!!!...where was the Cathlic League, or the Archdiocese of NY?
I was taught an amazing class on software requirements by III. As far as I know, that's his legal name. Maybe this court was overturned on appeal.
There was a guy in my high school class named Jesus Christ.
Good question. He won't be able to write or speak his name in any public facility. No teaching jobs or jury duty for Jesus Christ!
Not sure why they would care. There's not a trademark or anything on the name, and someone taking that name for themselves doesn't seem to diminish my faith in any way.
So, if he hits his thumb while putting a nail in the wall for a picture, he can just yell "ME"?
How did you teachers suvive the ACLU? I guess they never called on him...
"Jesus Christ. Is Jesus here?"
"Present"
"Okay, good, Jesus Christ is here."
Fortunately, there happens to be a field test available that would determine whether or not Mr. Espinal actually is that guy. Anybody up for a road trip to New York the week of April 14?
[twirls hammer]
Think I'll change my name to Mohammed Porkchop.
Can he take his own name in vain?
Where is doubting Thomas when you need him?
It was a Catholic school, I don't think it's all that uncommon a Spanish name.
Maybe not...probably can't get his name on vanity plates, either. Bet the IRS will cash his checks though, even if his tax return is signed "Jesus Christ". Caesar always knows what is his!
LOL, that's funny.
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