Custody Order Blocking Calvary Chapel Attendance Challenged Before Maine Supreme Court

[Stan]

A custody order blocking a Maine mother from taking her daughter to Calvary Chapel is now under review by the state’s highest court, raising constitutional questions about religious freedom, parental authority, and the limits of family court discretion. On November […]

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[Asia Joe]

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Religion and custody in conflict

At issue is whether the trial court overstepped by treating a parent’s religious beliefs as harmful. The lower court relied in part on expert testimony from Dr. Janja Lalich, who described the church as “cultic,” based on its biblical literalism, teachings on spiritual warfare, and structure under a so-called “Moses model” leadership style. Lalich testified that the church’s messaging—on hell, demons, salvation, and persecution—could have a detrimental effect on a child’s psychological development.

Judge Jennifer Nofsinger concluded that Bickford’s religious decisions were no longer in her daughter’s best interest. The court cited both the content of Calvary Chapel’s sermons and the behavior of its pastors during services, including a recorded prayer in which the congregation was asked to support Bickford and her daughter during the custody battle. The prayer referred to Bradeen as potentially being used by “the enemy” to “dismantle” the child’s faith.

In response, Bickford’s legal team pointed out that Calvary Chapel is a nationwide evangelical denomination, and that the contested teachings—such as belief in salvation through Jesus Christ, the existence of hell, and the concept of spiritual struggle—are not unorthodox. These beliefs are common across many Protestant traditions and familiar to most American Christians. Sermons referencing biblical judgment, the second coming of Christ, or the need for personal repentance appear in churches across the country.

In court filings, her attorneys emphasized that “there is zero interest, much less a compelling one, in prohibiting a mother from attending church with her child.”

The custody order bars the daughter from attending services at Calvary Chapel, reading its literature, or interacting with church members other than her mother. For other religious organizations, both parents must agree on the child’s involvement, though Bradeen has tie-breaking authority in the event of disagreement.

Wow. This has gotten out of hand.  

 

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The commentary raised by legal observers centers on one question: can a family court declare a set of widely accepted religious teachings psychologically harmful based solely on doctrinal content and the interpretation of an expert? If allowed to stand, this ruling may create a path for courts to evaluate—and restrict—religious parenting based on whether a judge or expert agrees with the theology involved.

That is amazing. Someone needs to shine a bright light on American Family Court.

Let's keep this in our payers.