Father Wins Religious Upbringing Dispute in Maine Court
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has upheld a decision granting a father the authority to determine his daughter’s religious involvement, following a contentious dispute with the child’s mother. This ruling stems from a 2024 legal battle between Matthew Bradeen and Emily Bickford over the religious upbringing of their 11-year-old daughter.
Bickford regularly took her daughter to Calvary Chapel Greater Portland, an evangelical church in Westbrook, which Bradeen described as a “dangerous and harmful environment.” He claimed that his daughter experienced anxiety, including a panic attack, after the church’s teachings on the rapture, which posits that believers will ascend to God while nonbelievers are left behind.
A lower court had earlier ruled in Bradeen’s favor, noting that certain messages from the church were “psychologically damaging the child,” particularly in their portrayal of her father. The state’s high court reaffirmed this decision, allowing Bradeen to decide on his daughter’s attendance at Calvary Chapel services and interactions with its members, except for her mother. The ruling stipulates that while the parents must share parental rights concerning other religious exposures, Bradeen has the final say in case of disagreements.
Representing Bickford, attorney Mathew Staver intends to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Staver’s law firm, Liberty Counsel, known for advocating religious freedom, argued that the 2024 order violated Bickford’s First Amendment rights due to its “open hostility” towards religious beliefs. Staver believes the case may gain attention for its implications on the First Amendment exercise clause.
Michelle King, Bradeen’s lawyer, anticipated the case might reach the Supreme Court and described the lower court’s decision as “well thought-out and reasoned.” Bradeen expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
The case gained significant attention due to an incident during a church service where Bradeen was mentioned by name. Pastor Travis Carey led a prayer referencing the ongoing legal proceedings and described Bradeen as “in need of salvation.” The Maine Supreme Court noted that Bickford did not remove her daughter from the service and deemed the situation “appropriate,” underscoring her unwillingness to mitigate potential harm to her daughter.
According to the 2024 order by Maine District Court Judge Jennifer Nofsinger, the harm to the child arose from Bickford’s “inability to co-parent” on religious matters and allowing the church to disparage the father. The court highlighted the detrimental impact of exposing the child to messages that alienate her from Bradeen.
While Calvary Chapel Greater Portland was not directly involved in the case, the evangelical network has been part of several legal battles recently, including lawsuits concerning pandemic restrictions and alleged religious discrimination. Liberty Counsel has represented the churches in these cases.
Bickford and her legal team have 90 days to file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.
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This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
