{"id":2654355,"date":"2026-09-03T20:12:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T00:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/court-forbids-mom-to-take-daughter-13-to-normal-christian-church-used-the-word-cult-in-official-docs\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T20:16:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T00:16:16","slug":"court-forbids-mom-to-take-daughter-13-to-normal-christian-church-used-the-word-cult-in-official-docs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/court-forbids-mom-to-take-daughter-13-to-normal-christian-church-used-the-word-cult-in-official-docs\/","title":{"rendered":"Court Forbids Mom to Take Daughter, 13, to Normal Christian Church &#8211; Used the Word &#8216;Cult&#8217; in Official Docs"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">38<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcourt-forbids-mom-to-take-daughter-13-to-normal-christian-church-used-the-word-cult-in-official-docs%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2654355&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Maine Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court&#8217;s decision that prevented a mother, Emily Westbrook, from taking her 13-year-old daughter to a church, Calvary Chapel of Greater Portland, which was labeled a \u201ccult\u201d in court due to concerns about its teachings. The court&#8217;s ruling was based on the child&#8217;s best interests and the inability of parents to co-parent regarding religious activities, ultimately favoring the father&#8217;s sole decision-making authority on religious matters. Despite the use of the term \u201ccult\u201d to describe the church, the court stated it referred only to sociological testimony and not to the church\u2019s beliefs, denying accusations of hostility toward the mother&#8217;s religion. Religious liberty advocates, including Liberty Counsel, criticized the ruling, arguing it infringes on First Amendment rights, and have announced plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/double-murderer-whom-biden-sprung-from-death-row-is-now-demanding-an-even-bigger-gift\/\" title=\"Double Murderer Whom Biden Sprung from Death Row Is Now Demanding an Even Bigger Gift\">case highlights ongoing debates<\/a> about religious freedom and parental rights in custody disputes.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Maine Supreme Court this week upheld a lower court ruling preventing a mother from taking her 13-year-old daughter to a church it referred to as a \u201ccult.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The decision could set a bad precedent for other jurisdictions to grab onto nationwide. But the religious liberty law firm representing the mother, Emily Westbrook, in the case has promised an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.<\/p>\n<p>A look at Calvary Chapel of Greater Portland\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ccgreaterportland.org\/what-we-believe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">doctrines<\/a> and description in the court opinion makes it sound like it believes in pretty standard Bible-based teaching: the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God; the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); original sin; salvation through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/jesse-watters-yearned-learn-jesus-christ-charlie-kirks-assassination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jesus Christ<\/a>; the Second Coming; and the rest.<\/p>\n<p>Maine affiliate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wmtw.com\/article\/maine-supreme-judicial-court-ruling-emily-bickford-parental-rights-church\/73584868\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WMTW-TV<\/a> reported that Westbrook challenged a <a href=\"https:\/\/lc.org\/PDFs\/Attachments2PRsLAs\/112525Order-DC(CustodyIssues).pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2024 custody order<\/a> prohibiting her from taking her daughter to Calvary Chapel, arguing it violates her right to free exercise of religion guaranteed under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA district court judge sided with the child\u2019s father, Matthew Bradeen, ruling that some of the church\u2019s teachings could be psychologically harmful to the girl. The order allows Bradeen to solely decide on his daughter\u2019s involvement with Calvary Chapel Church. When it comes to any other religious organization, the order states that the parents  rights and must discuss decisions,\u201d WMTW further noted.<\/p>\n<p>The Maine Supreme Court, in its unanimous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.maine.gov\/courts\/sjc\/lawcourt\/2026\/26me094.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">decision<\/a> Tuesday upholding the lower court\u2019s order, said, \u201cWe are also unpersuaded by Bickford\u2019s claim that the court evinced hostility toward her religion by describing her church in offensive terms, including referring to it as a \u2018cult.\u2019 The court used the word \u2018cult\u2019 only in describing the testimony of [Janja] Lalich, the stipulated expert on \u2018cults.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe court noted that \u2018cult\u2019 serves as a shorthand for what sociologists like Lalich call \u2018closed social systems\u2019 and that Lalich identified Bickford\u2019s church as one of these systems. The court used \u2018cult\u2019 in summarizing Lalich\u2019s testimony, but it did not otherwise refer to Bickford\u2019s church as a cult or a closed social system,\u201d the justices added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn these circumstances, we are satisfied that the court neither evinced hostility toward Bickford\u2019s religion nor cast any legitimate doubt on its impartiality,\u201d the court said.<\/p>\n<p>With so many references to \u201ccult,\u201d it sure seems like hostility.<\/p>\n<p>The court concluded, \u201cIn sum, despite Bickford\u2019s efforts to recast the court\u2019s order as a judgment about the substance of her religious beliefs, the court\u2019s allocation of religious decision-making to Bradeen ultimately rested on no more than its findings that the parties are unable to coparent on matters of religion, such that it was therefore necessary to allocate decision-making to one or the other, and that Bradeen is better suited to determine whether certain religious activities are in the child\u2019s best interest.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>So, given the choice of Christian church or no Christian church in the child\u2019s upbringing, the court decided the latter was better.<\/p>\n<p>Mat Staver, whose firm, Liberty Counsel, is representing Bickford, took the Maine Supreme Court to task for its ruling.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis opinion rejects the First Amendment right of a fit parent to raise her child consistent with her Christian faith,\u201d he <a href=\"https:\/\/lc.org\/newsroom\/details\/090126-lc-will-ask-us-supreme-court-to-hear-no-church-case\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a>. \u201cThis opinion goes against other state court decisions involving custody in the context of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pentagon-watchdog-alerts-defense-secretary-of-potentially-illegal-blanket-denials-of-covid-vax-religious-exemptions\/\" title=\"Pentagon Watchdog Alerts Defense Secretary of Potentially Illegal Blanket Denials of COVID Vax Religious Exemptions\">religious free exercise rights<\/a> and ignores precedent from the U.S. Supreme Court. We will ask the High Court to take this case and overrule the decision.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDepriving one parent [of] their right to instill their religious views into their child and granting sole authority to the other parent fails to give proper protection to parental rights and religious freedom under the First Amendment. The implications of this opinion pose a serious threat to religious freedom,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>Liberty Counsel also posted on social media following Tuesday\u2019s ruling, \u201cToday, the Maine Supreme Court rejected the First Amendment and unanimously upheld this unlawful custody order preventing our client Emily Bickford from taking her daughter to church or any religious event because the girl\u2019s father objects to biblical teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A Christian mom in Maine has been prohibited from taking her 13-year-old daughter to church or even read the Bible to her for nearly two years \u2014 not even for an Easter or Christmas service or a Bible study.<\/p>\n<p>Today, the Maine Supreme Court rejected the First Amendment and\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/x6GC9Jj1DZ\">pic.twitter.com\/x6GC9Jj1DZ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Liberty Counsel (@libertycounsel) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/libertycounsel\/status\/2094892200177922306?\">September 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Supreme Court has maintained a solid record of upholding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/praying-football-coach-officially-right-back-belongs-7-year-court-battle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">religious liberty<\/a> during the last several sessions, so hopefully they will take up this Maine decision and overrule it.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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However, the legal team supporting the mother, Emily Westbrook, has announced plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2654356,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Church-called-cult.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[71209,79830,85108,36890,32274],"class_list":["post-2654355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-child-custody","tag-church-controversy","tag-cult-designation","tag-family-law","tag-religious-freedom"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Church-called-cult.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2654355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2654355"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2654355\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2654363,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2654355\/revisions\/2654363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2654356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2654355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2654355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2654355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}