Anti-Christian Judge Prevents Mother from Taking Daughter to Church or Even Reading the Bible

A custody dispute in Maine has drawn national attention after a court issued an order restricting a child’s religious activities.

Emily Bickford has primary custody of her daughter, Ava, who will turn 13 in January, while Ava’s father, Matt Bradeen, has visitation rights. Bickford, a Christian, has worked to provide a faith-based foundation for her daughter—a practice Bradeen opposes.

The dispute escalated when Bradeen brought the matter to court. The judge, a former ACLU president, issued a custody order that significantly limits Ava’s participation in Christian activities. According to Liberty Counsel, the order forbids Ava from attending church, participating in Christian events, associating with church friends, reading the Bible or religious literature, or discussing her faith with her mother. It also restricts her involvement in Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter.

Liberty Counsel reports that Bickford and Ava had been attending Calvary Chapel in Portland, Maine, for over three years. The conflict reportedly began when Ava shared her excitement about her upcoming baptism with her father.

A witness in the case testified that Calvary Chapel and similar churches could be psychologically harmful to children. The judge’s order emphasized that while Bickford was considered a fit parent, her religious practices were a concern, according to Liberty Counsel Founder Mat Staver.

“The order is notably restrictive, limiting all aspects of Ava’s Christian upbringing,” Staver said, noting that the judge even questioned Bickford’s choice to have a pastor pray for Ava. The order requires that Bradeen approve any church attendance—a permission he has consistently withheld.

Liberty Counsel outlined additional restrictions:

Ava cannot associate with members of Calvary Chapel or any church friends.
If Ava forms new friendships with children who later attend Calvary Chapel, she must sever those ties.
She cannot attend Christian events such as weddings, funerals, or hospital visits associated with Calvary Chapel.
She cannot participate in activities organized by other religious organizations, including charities with a faith-based component.

Liberty Counsel argues that these restrictions have cut Ava off from social and emotional support during a critical stage in her development.

On Thursday, Liberty Counsel presented oral arguments to the Maine Supreme Court seeking to overturn the custody order. Staver described the order as “hostile toward religion” and noted that justices called it a “nuclear option” because it removed all decision-making authority from a parent deemed fit in all other respects.

Bickford and Ava now await the Maine Supreme Court’s ruling.

Original Source