This is the second year in a row that Emily has not been able to take Ava to Christmas services. Since December 2024, Emily Bickford has not been able to take her 12-year-old daughter, Ava, to ANY church, religious event, or Bible study. Ava is even banned by this outrageous court order from seeing ANY of her Christian friends who are associated with Calvary Chapel Portland.

This blasphemous order that intentionally refers to God in lower case (“god”) is not limited to Calvary Chapel. It applies to ANY church or religious organization, “religious philosophy or the Bible in general.”

Ava’s father, Matthew Bradeen, is using the courts to prevent Ava — a now nearly 13-year-old girl who loves Jesus — from learning anything about God because Matthew believes churches that teach the Bible are “psychologically harmful” to children. And the court adopted this twisted thinking.

How Far Maine Has Fallen Since It Became a State in 1820

Article I, Section 3, of the Maine Constitution, could not be more direct:

All individuals have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no person shall be hurt, molested or restrained in that person's liberty or estate for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of that person's own conscience. ...

You can’t be more plain than the Maine Constitution. When I first read this court order, I couldn’t believe it. But sadly, it is true. Even worse, since Liberty Counsel has become lead counsel on appeal, I have had time to talk with Emily and Pastor Travis from Calvary Chapel. I see the pain this has caused for Emily and Ava.

Bickford v. Bradeen

Matthew Bradeen and Emily Bickford’s relationship ended even before their daughter was born. For years, they shared custody with no issues — until Emily became a Christian in 2017.

In his pleading to the court, Matthew complained that his young daughter kept wearing Christian T-shirts to his house for visitation. Worse yet, from Matthew's perspective, Ava shared her love for Jesus with her father, talking to him about heaven and leaving Christian literature at his house after visitation was over.

Matthew believes that attending a church that “teaches the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter” is “psychologically harmful” to children. So, he flew a former California professor all the way to Maine to testify that churches like Calvary Chapel that teach the Bible, believe in “right and wrong,” teach about salvation in Jesus alone — such churches are “cult-like.” And the court adopted this nonsense.

The lower court found Ava’s mother, Emily, to be a perfectly fit parent in every way except for the fact that she is a Christian. AND the court admitted that there was no evidence that Ava had been harmed by exposure to the Bible. But then the court did the unthinkable!

In a court order that deliberately mocked Emily and Ava’s faith and directly demeaned God, the judge decided that ONLY Matthew Bradeen could direct Ava’s religious education. ONLY Matthew (who obviously hates God) is allowed to decide if Ava can attend any church, religious event, or even read the Bible.

Since December 2024, Matthew has vetoed every single church Emily and Ava suggested. Calvary Chapel — vetoed. Lighthouse nondenominational — vetoed. Standish Baptist — vetoed. The list goes on and on, but Matthew steadfastly refuses to approve ANY church, anywhere, at any time.

In texts to our client, Matthew even questioned Emily and Ava having a Bible or any “religion” in the house!

Our case is now in the Maine Supreme Court’s hands.

After the Maine Supreme Court issues its decision, we will either go to the U.S. Supreme Court (if the ruling is adverse) or return to the lower court to help set the captives free of this tyranny.

We need your help to continue defending Emily — and Christian parents like her from around the country. We never charge our clients because few people, especially single moms like Emily Bickford, could afford to fight their cases all the way to the Supreme Court.

Instead, Emily and our other clients rely on YOU, the faithful Liberty Counsel supporter. Support our legal fund today and a generous Year-End Challenge Grant will DOUBLE the impact of your gift.

Finally, please be in prayer for Emily and Ava.

Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel

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