Single Mom vs. the Court: The Fight for a Daughter’s Right to Go to Church

A Mother’s Faith on the Line

You know the feeling of wanting to protect your child’s heart.
Yet sometimes life pulls you into battles you never asked for. That is exactly what happened to a single mom named Emily Bickford. She woke up one day not only fighting for custody but fighting for something deeper, her daughter’s right to go to church.

And just like many Christian parents today, she found herself standing against a system that seemed to misunderstand her faith.
As someone who has followed Christian family court cases for years, I’ve seen this pattern grow. Parents of faith often end up explaining, defending, and proving what should already be obvious: their beliefs are not a threat.

Now, let’s walk through her story.
Then, together, we will unpack what it means for Christian families across the country, and what hope still remains.

A Court Calls a Church a “Cult”

Emily’s story began with a shock.
A Maine court ruled that she could not take her 12-year-old daughter to Calvary Chapel, a church she had attended since 2021.

The order went so far that it even restricted contact with the Bible, Christian books, or any religious teachings connected to the church.
Even more troubling, the court accepted the claim that Calvary Chapel was a “cult.”

However, this was not a fringe group.
Calvary Chapel is a longstanding Christian movement with churches around the world. It grew out of the Jesus Movement and shaped thousands of believers for decades.

Still, the court sided with an outside “cult expert” and declared Emily’s faith harmful to her daughter.
That decision opened the door to something none of us expect in America: the government deciding which churches are acceptable for families.

When a Custody Battle Becomes a Faith Battle

Emily’s ex-partner, Matthew Bradeen, raised concerns about the church’s teachings.
He objected to lessons about Heaven, Hell, spiritual warfare, and the Bible’s verse-by-verse preaching style.

Then, he argued that their daughter became fearful about the end times and eternity.
After hearing his concerns, the court granted him the final say over all religious decisions.

And the mother, the one who only wanted to bring her daughter to church, was stripped of that right.

This wasn’t just a custody shift.
It became a direct challenge to her First Amendment rights as a Christian parent.

Liberty Counsel Steps In

Later, the Christian legal group Liberty Counsel stood beside Emily.
They took her case all the way to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

They argued that the lower court made several errors:

• It violated her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

• It unfairly labeled biblical teachings as harmful.

• It relied heavily on one sociologist’s anti-church testimony.

• It allowed the government to decide what kind of church is “safe.”

Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver put it plainly:
“Calvary Chapel is not a cult… This order poses a serious threat to religious freedom.”

And he is right.
If a court can decide one church is a “cult,” what stops another court from targeting yours?

What the Mother Experienced Inside the Church

Emily’s daughter also attended church services with her.
One day, the pastor led the congregation in praying for the family during the custody battle.

That prayer, something many of us find comforting, was used as evidence that the church caused “psychological harm.”

Imagine that.
A church praying for a struggling mother was treated as proof of danger.

This is why this story matters.
It shows how quickly faith can be misread by a system that does not understand it.

The Larger Problem for Christian Parents

This case highlights a growing challenge.
More Christian parents nationwide say courts, schools, and agencies misunderstand or judge their beliefs.

This creates fear:

• “Will my faith be used against me?”

• “Will a court think my church is too strict?”

• “If I teach my child the Bible, will someone call it harmful?”

Emily’s experience puts these fears into the spotlight.

However, it also shows something else, courage.
A single mom stood up, pushed back, and refused to let the government decide her child’s faith journey.

What Christian Parents Can Learn from Her Story

Here are a few lessons:

1. Know Your Rights

Parents have a constitutional right to guide their child’s religious upbringing.
This is protected under the First Amendment.

2. Document Your Faith Practices

Keep records of your involvement in church life.
Show stability, consistency, and healthy community support.

3. Seek Christian Legal Help Early

Groups like Liberty Counsel, ADF, and Christian Law Association often help families at no cost.

4. Stay calm and Christlike

Courts respond to evidence and tone.
Faith and peace leave a strong impact.

5. Pray and ask your church to pray for you

Never underestimate the power of a praying community.

Where the Case Stands Now

The Maine Supreme Court has heard the arguments.
A written decision is expected soon.

Whatever the outcome, Emily’s story reminds us that Christian parents are facing new and unexpected battles.
But it also reminds us that God is not silent.
He stands with those who fight for what is right.

Interactive Element: Quick 5-Question Quiz

How Would YOU Respond in a Faith-Based Custody Battle?

1. Would you know who to call for Christian legal help?

   • Yes / No

2. Do you know your First Amendment parental rights?

   • Yes / Need to learn

3. Would you document church involvement if challenged in court?

   • Yes / No

4. Would you reach out to your pastor for prayer support?

   • Absolutely / Maybe

5. Should parents be able to take their children to the church of their choice?

   • Yes / No

(Use this quiz to build awareness and reflect on your own situation.)

Final Encouragement

Even when courts misunderstand faith, God never does.
And even when systems fail, God’s justice still stands.

Emily’s story is not just a legal case.
It is a reminder of the courage inside every parent who chooses Christ first.

May we stand strong, stay informed, and keep fighting for the next generation’s faith

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