Judge rules divorced mom cannot take daughter to church!

[Salty]

This court case is in Maine. and will be appealed to the SCOTUS.

Story from The Maine Wire

Read the entire story before coming to a conclusion.

 

[Silverhair]

We do not have enough information to make a judgement call on this.

What is the back story?

Was the child told things at the church that would turn her against the father? Or did the mother do that based on misunderstanding the bible?

Was the child questioned in court and if so what did she want to do?

 

[Salty]

What is the back story?

Depends on who you are asking!

the mom, the dad, the teen, reporters - Liberty Counsel (who is representing mom)

Otherwise you asked some very excellent questions.

Anyone here on BB from Maine - with more info?

 

[777]

Bickford v. Bradeen (Maine Supreme Judicial Court, Sept. 1, 2026)

In a case involving the free exercise of religion, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld that a father could restrict his ex-wife from taking their daughter to a particular church.

firstamendment.mtsu.edu

sounds to me like that pastor was violating the divorce decree by trashing the father, so the courts in Maine were saying the mom couldn't take the kid to this one church. The mom actually seems like sort of a kook, she is anti-vax and that's another point of contention here.

Her attorneys are trying to appeal it up to SCOTUS but I wouldn't be surprised if they refuse to hear it - there is a freedom of religion argument here, but she is a minor.

 

[canadyjd]

Good information, 777.

It seems the psychological harm is not concerning religious beliefs, but the Pastor mentioning the girls father, in a prayer, and claiming he was an enemy of the church and was persecuting the girl.

It will be interesting to see if the court will hear the case.

However, the girl will likely be grown into adulthood before the decision comes.

Peace to you

 

[Salty]

Good information, 777.

It seems the psychological harm is not concerning religious beliefs, but the Pastor mentioning the girls father, in a prayer, and claiming he was an enemy of the church and was persecuting the girl.

It will be interesting to see if the court will hear the case.

However, the girl will likely be grown into adulthood before the decision comes.

Peace to you

Evidently - the next step is the SCOTUS - so its possible a final decision would be made within a few months.

 

[Its_real_for me !]

This court case is in Maine. and will be appealed to the SCOTUS.

Story from The Maine Wire

Read the entire story before coming to a conclusion.

The article left out possible abuse from either parent, more so from the father I believe and it may appear the 13 year old being in the adolescent stage of rebellion probably isn't born again. Saying this, brings on a over protecting mother pressuring her daughter not only at church but most likely at home too. Myself suffering from PTSD for many years as a Christian, took it's toll, but never had any pressure putting my trust in Christ as an adult, although slightly pressured at the rescue missions rules, that now that I look back, was Gods will.

 

[canadyjd]

Evidently - the next step is the SCOTUS - so its possible a final decision would be made within a few months.

Well, I guess it’s possible, but unlikely imo. The court (4 justices) have to agree to hear the case. Then it would get on a docket sometime in the future, but probably not this year.

At least, that’s my understanding. It’s a slow process, several years

Peace to you