A Maine custody battle has spiraled into a shocking display of religious bias, leaving a young girl caught in the crossfire. Emily Bickford, a devoted Christian mother, is fighting to protect her daughter Ava’s faith – a faith the girl’s father vehemently opposes.
Emily and Matt Bradeen, Ava’s parents, were never married. Emily has been Ava’s primary caregiver, while Matt has enjoyed visitation rights. However, a growing rift over Ava’s religious upbringing ignited a legal war with devastating consequences.
The conflict escalated when Ava, soon to be thirteen, excitedly shared her plans for baptism with her father. Instead of support, she encountered opposition, leading to a court case presided over by a judge with a concerning past – a former president of the ACLU.
The judge’s subsequent custody order is nothing short of extraordinary. It doesn’t simply address parenting concerns; it actively restricts Ava’s religious expression, effectively punishing her for her mother’s beliefs.
Ava is forbidden from attending church, participating in Christian events like Christmas, or even studying the Bible. The order extends to her friendships, demanding she sever ties with anyone connected to her mother’s church, Calvary Chapel. Even discussing her faith with her own mother is prohibited.
A chilling testimony from a Marxist former sociology professor, flown in from California, labeled Calvary Chapel – and any church adhering to biblical principles – as a “cult” inflicting psychological harm. This claim formed the basis for the judge’s sweeping restrictions.
The judge’s bias was starkly evident, even in seemingly small details. Reports indicate a deliberate refusal to capitalize the word “God” throughout the proceedings – a level of disrespect rarely witnessed in a courtroom.
The order goes beyond religious practice, impacting Ava’s social life and emotional well-being. She’s been forced to abandon friendships and is isolated from a vital community that has provided support for years.
This isn’t simply a disagreement over parenting styles; it’s a blatant attempt to erase a child’s faith and control her beliefs. The judge essentially deemed Emily a fit mother, *except* for her Christianity.
Last week, the Liberty Council presented arguments before the Maine Supreme Court, challenging the legality and fairness of this unprecedented custody order. Justices reportedly expressed concern, describing the order as “hostile toward religion” and a drastic overreach.
The court acknowledged the “nuclear option” taken by removing all decision-making power from a capable parent regarding her daughter’s religious upbringing. Now, Ava and Emily await a decision that could restore their fundamental rights.
The case has been ongoing since December, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications, not just for Ava and Emily, but for the religious freedom of families across the country.
