Maine Court Rules Father Has Final Authority Over Daughter’s Church Attendance and Religious Upbringing

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court recently affirmed a lower court ruling that granted Matthew Bradeen, a father, final authority over his daughter’s medical care and religious upbringing. The case involves Bradeen and his ex-wife, Emily Bickford, who are engaged in a custody dispute. The court emphasized that its decision was based on the child’s best interest and did not address the content of Bickford’s religious beliefs.

Bradeen argued that his daughter’s exposure to messages at Calvary Chapel Greater Portland, where she was regularly attended, caused her anxiety and panic attacks. Court documents indicated that the church’s teachings suggested Bradeen would suffer eternal punishment in hell. During the legal proceedings, Bickford refused to remove her daughter from a service where pastor Travis Carey delivered a prayer that referenced the parents and child by name nearly 30 times. The prayer described Bradeen as “in need of salvation” and referred to the custody dispute as an “attack on God’s Word.”

The state’s highest court made it clear that its ruling was not about the substance of Bickford’s faith but rather about the child’s well-being. The case also involved Bickford’s opposition to vaccinating the daughter and using antibiotics for treatment. These factors, along with the religious dimension, contributed to the court’s decision.

Both Bradeen’s and Bickford’s attorneys have indicated that the case may eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Liberty Counsel, representing Bickford, plans to petition for review, arguing that the ruling threatens parental rights to raise children in their own faith. The group criticized the lower court for finding Bickford to be a “great parent EXCEPT for the fact that she is a born-again Christian raising her child in a Bible-believing church.”

Michelle King, who represented Bradeen, viewed the ruling as more about decision-making authority than religious freedom. She stated that the court’s decision was necessary to prevent parents from being unable to agree on important matters affecting their child’s life. The case highlights the complex intersection of parental rights, religious expression, and child welfare.

While pastor Travis Carey and Calvary Chapel were not directly involved in the lawsuit, the Maine Monitor reported that other churches affiliated with the Calvary Chapel movement have been involved in several religious liberty cases in Maine in recent years. This reflects a broader trend of legal challenges involving religious institutions and parental rights. The case continues to raise questions about the balance between religious freedom and the legal responsibilities of parenthood.

Source: Read the original report