Maine’s high court rules father can restrict daughter’s church attendance

In a ruling on September 1, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld a Portland District Court judge's decision that granted a father the authority to determine whether his 11-year-old daughter could attend an evangelical church. The case stemmed from a dispute between Matthew Bradeen and Emily Bickford over the religious upbringing of their daughter, who had been attending multiple services weekly at Calvary Chapel Greater Portland.

Bradeen contended that the church's teachings, especially those on the rapture, were psychologically damaging to his daughter and caused her anxiety. The lower court agreed, ruling that some of the church's language was harmful to the child, particularly in how it portrayed the father. The Maine Supreme Court affirmed this decision, maintaining that the father retains the right to decide whether his daughter can continue attending the church or interact with its members, aside from his ex-wife.

The court emphasized that while the religious beliefs of the church were not the primary issue, the mother's actions in exposing the child to potentially alienating teachings contributed to the daughter's distress. Despite the decision, the mother plans to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that it violates her First Amendment rights by showing "open hostility" towards religious beliefs.