Judge allows 10-year-old girl to decide on her own religion

A judge has allowed a 10-year-old girl, though still a minor, to decide whether she...

A judge has allowed a 10-year-old girl, though still a minor, to decide whether she wanted to convert from Judaism to Christianity despite her mother’s opinion that she should wait until she is older. 

Judge John Platt wrote a letter explaining his decision, saying: “Sometimes parents simply cannot agree on what is best for their child, but they can’t both be right.”

The letter, which was addressed to the girl, reads: “Your father thinks it is right for you to be baptized as a Christian now. Your mother wants you to wait until you are older so they have asked me to decide for them. That is my job.”

Judge Platt also thanked the girl ‘for telling (him) so clearly why (she) wanted to be baptized now’. He then said: “It is important for me to know how you feel.”

The girl is to remain anonymous for legal reasons, but the details of the case have been made public. The case was heard by Judge Platt at Romfort County Court in Essex. It was concluded based on the judge’s decision: “I have decided that the best thing for you is that you are allowed to start your baptism classes as soon as they can be arranged and that you are baptised as a Christian as soon as your minister feels you are ready.”

He also gave a few reminders to the girl: “Being baptised does not mean that you give up your Jewish heritage. That will always be part of you and I hope that you will continue to learn more about that heritage and about your mother’s faith.”