(Yes, this is happening in America) Judge Orders Maine Mom Not to Take Her Daughter to Church or Read Her the Bible

[ProverbsInPink]

11/18/2025

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is set to weigh in on whether a lower court overstepped its limits when it barred a mother from reading the Bible to her 12-year-old daughter or taking her to church.
The state's high court heard oral arguments last week in the case of Bickford v. Bradeen — a battle between judicial authority and parental rights. Liberty Counsel, a faith-based non-profit legal group, is representing Emily Bickford. She is challenging a December 2024 custody order that prohibits her from bringing her daughter, Ava, to Calvary Chapel in Portland, Maine.

Continues at CBN link:

Judge's Ruling Blocks Maine Mom from Taking Her Daughter to Christmas Church Services

A Maine judge's court order prevented a mother from taking her own daughter to Christmas church services.

www1.cbn.com

 

[Scott Downey]

I do not see how a judge can prevent someone from being friends with their peers (church friends) unless he throws them in prison.
I don't see how a judge can prevent anyone from praying or reading the bible.

 

[Bob]

11/18/2025

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is set to weigh in on whether a lower court overstepped its limits when it barred a mother from reading the Bible to her 12-year-old daughter or taking her to church.
The state's high court heard oral arguments last week in the case of Bickford v. Bradeen — a battle between judicial authority and parental rights. Liberty Counsel, a faith-based non-profit legal group, is representing Emily Bickford. She is challenging a December 2024 custody order that prohibits her from bringing her daughter, Ava, to Calvary Chapel in Portland, Maine.

Continues at CBN link:

Judge's Ruling Blocks Maine Mom from Taking Her Daughter to Christmas Church Services

A Maine judge's court order prevented a mother from taking her own daughter to Christmas church services.

www1.cbn.com

Thanks for posting.

The parents are divorced, and the father can veto (supposedly) any “association” he believes is harmful to the child. Since we do not know the full background, it is not clear how the custody language arose.

Yet another example of misuse of laws to settle disputes, instead of a biblical approach. (Matthew 5:25; 1 Corinthians 6)

It also illustrates the problems that can arise when a believer marries a non-believer.

Let us pray that the Maine Supreme Court will rule with wisdom.

Blessings.

 

[MonoBiblical]

I do not see how a judge can prevent someone from being friends with their peers (church friends) unless he throws them in prison.
I don't see how a judge can prevent anyone from praying or reading the bible.

Freedom of association. Should we support non-English speaking and writing H1B-visa workers?

 

[ProverbsInPink]

Freedom of association. Should we support non-English speaking and writing H1B-visa workers?

Wrong thread.

 

[ProverbsInPink]

I do not see how a judge can prevent someone from being friends with their peers (church friends) unless he throws them in prison.
I don't see how a judge can prevent anyone from praying or reading the bible.

I agree. You would think the First Amendment, in the U.D Constitution that is the Federal law of the land and supersedes States laws,though States do insure religious freedom in their own State Constitutions, would make this judges order illegal on its face.

I wonder if the child can file a sit against her dad on the grounds of violation of her civil right to religious freedom?

Maybe a censure will occur against that Maine Judge for the same violation.

This case certainly goes reiterate the scripture warning against being unequally yoked to an unbeliever.

The father sadly has no respect for his daughters happiness. If our faith and practice is actually her choice.

 

[Jay Ross]

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is set to weigh in on whether a lower court overstepped its limits when it barred a mother from reading the Bible to her 12-year-old daughter or taking her to church.
The state's high court heard oral arguments last week in the case of Bickford v. Bradeen — a battle between judicial authority and parental rights. Liberty Counsel, a faith-based non-profit legal group, is representing Emily Bickford. She is challenging a December 2024 custody order that prohibits her from bringing her daughter, Ava, to Calvary Chapel in Portland, Maine.

It is so sad that a marriage and separation degenerates into a fight over control of a man over his wife/ex-wife by controlling what the wife can and cannot do while having custardy of her daughter.

There is not enough information available for us readers to form an opinion on the circumstances of this case. But what we can do is to pray that God will draw the mother, dad and daughter into His loving embrace such that each will develop a deep and lasting relationship with God such that what is happening can be broken and relationships restored so that all three will remain friends in the future for the benefit of all.

Often the best defence is to let go and let God handle the circumstances being shown within the courtroom.

 

[ProverbsInPink]

It is so sad that a marriage and separation degenerates into a fight over control of a man over his wife/ex-wife by controlling what the wife can and cannot do while having custardy of her daughter.

There is not enough information available for us readers to form an opinion on the circumstances of this case. But what we can do is to pray that God will draw the mother, dad and daughter into His loving embrace such that each will develop a deep and lasting relationship with God such that what is happening can be broken and relationships restored so that all three will remain friends in the future for the benefit of all.

Often the best defence is to let go and let God handle the circumstances being shown within the courtroom.

Years ago a divorcing couple made news. Only in this case the child being torn by one parents animus for their soon to be Ex was a little boy.
The dad always wanted a son. So,the wife claimed the son was Trans. He wanted to be a girl.

The judge sided with the mom. The dad would be in contempt if he allowed his biological son to be himself during his visitation time,until the case was decided

Last I heard,mom got full custody.

We don't know all the gritty details in this case.However,that a child's right to read a Bible and attend church is at issue at all,is bad enough to make the news.

In these times,is it all that surprising?