A Portland District Court judge ruled in 2024 that a father holds sole authority over his daughter’s religious upbringing. The order stops the mother from reading the Bible to the child or taking her to church services.
This decision came after the parents could not agree on their thirteen-year-old daughter’s faith training. The mother, Emily Bickford, had taken the girl to Calvary Chapel Greater Portland without the father’s consent. Matthew Bradeen, the father, later learned the girl was set to be baptized.
Bradeen grew alarmed by the church’s teachings and their effect on his daughter. A court document states the pastor teaches the Bible “verse by verse, chapter by chapter.” The filing also notes the sermons include “quite vivid descriptions of Hell,” which made the child scared.
During the dispute, the pastor even discussed the legal case from the pulpit and offered a prayer for the family. The court record alleges these messages alienated the child from her father, according to Deseret News Faith. Both parents eventually sought sole responsibility for the girl’s spiritual life.
The court found that Bradeen’s position on vaccines served the child’s best interests. According to reports, Bradeen sought to deny the child religious instruction while blocking her from attending church and receiving baptism. The judge ruled against her on these claims.
While the court found Bickford a fit parent overall, it deemed her unfit to make faith decisions. The ruling states her actions caused “immediate and substantial psychological harm” to the daughter. The judge decided the father was best positioned to guide the child’s religious life.
The Pastor’s Role in the Dispute
The court did not rule that biblical teaching itself was wrong. Instead, the judge focused on which parent could safely handle the child’s spiritual needs. The document says the court rooted its argument in the specific position of each parent.
This case highlights a deep tension in how families handle religious differences. It asks how much authority a parent has when the other parent objects to the teachings. The court intervened because the child’s safety and mental health were at risk.
Parents must now consider how their choices affect their children in these difficult splits. The judge made it clear that fear and anxiety are not acceptable outcomes for a child. The ruling ensures the daughter is protected from further harm during this time.
When Faith Meets the Law
This story shows how quickly a family dispute can become a legal battle over souls. The mother wanted to share her faith, but the father felt it was hurting their child. The court had to choose between two loving parents with very different visions.
The judge ultimately sided with the father to stop the psychological distress. The order prevents Bickford from exposing the girl to the specific teachings that caused her fear. It is a rare case where a court limits a parent’s religious freedom for the child’s sake.
Families in similar situations should seek counsel before letting disagreements escalate to court. The law protects the child first, even when it means limiting a parent’s rights. The court acted to ensure the child’s best interest was the top priority.
The final order remains in effect as the family moves forward. The father now controls all decisions regarding the child’s religious education and church attendance. This ruling sets a clear boundary for how faith disputes are handled in this county.
