Inmate's religious name change request denied

_{CORY MATTESON /Lincoln Journal Star}

A Nebraska State Penitentiary inmate’s religiously based name change request has been smote down by Lancaster County District judge.

Jonathan L. Thomas, 23, had asked that his name be changed to “Sinner Lawrence Bilskirnir.”

The reason for the name change had to do with Norse religion, according to court documents.Lancaster County District Judge Steven Burns wrote in his judgment that Thomas said he wanted the name change “because he is a heathen and Thor is his ‘High God.’”

However, Burns wrote, Thomas’ criminal and child support cases supercede the name change request.

Thomas is in prison on three Lancaster County felony convictions — attempted burglary, possession of methamphetamine and theft by receiving stolen property. His projected release date is Jan. 18, 2014.

He also has had three child support cases filed against him.

Burns wrote that several government agencies have an interest in keeping track of Thomas. “Granting a name change to the defendent in this circumstance would interfere with those governmental needs,” he wrote.

Burns wrote that Thomas’ reasons did not meet the burden of proof.

“Simply because a person is a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim, they do not change their name to Moses,” Burns wrote.