Maine Supreme Court weighs case on religious freedom, parental rights
Maine’s high court heard a custody dispute over a child’s church attendance and whether alleged harm is enough to limit a parent’s religious-upbringing rights.

Author: Pearl Small
Published: 6:45 PM EST November 13, 2025

Excerpt: "The court order in question stemmed from a custody modification request by Matthew Bradeen, the father. He alleged that after the child began attending #CalvaryChapel of Portland, she started having severe panic attacks and exhibited alarming psychological signs — like leaving notes around the house that said 'the rapture is coming.' Her father said much of her concern came from believing her sister and father would not go to heaven because they did not attend the same church as her.

"An expert witness called by the father’s side analyzed the church's sermons and testified that the teachings likely posed a psychological risk to the child. The district court accepted that assessment and granted the father final decision‑making authority on the child’s religious education."

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/courts-news/maine-supreme-court-case-religious-freedom-parental-rights/97-9f75838b-8db8-4a12-880f-36663de94441

#ChildAbuse #PsychologicalAbuse #Cults #MainePol

A cult like #CalvaryChapel tried to rope me in when I was a kid. Imagine making innocent children think they are sinners and are going to HELL! That is just terrorism! No wonder they hate #TransKids! Who else do they hate?!!!

"We believe that all people are sinners by nature and willfully disobey our Creator. Therefore, we are under condemnation..."

https://www.ccgreaterportland.org/

#CalvaryChapelOfPortland #ChristianCults #ChristoFascists #Brainwashing #MAGAts

And who is behind #ProtectGirlsSports ? Why a #ChristoFascist CULT in #WestbrookME!

Maine judge rules #CalvaryChapel is a “cult” and bans a mother from taking her daughter to church

By Dillon Burroughs

Excerpts: "During that hearing, the district court judge, a former president of the American Civil Liberties Union (#ACLU), concluded that Bickford’s daughter experienced '#PsychologicalHarm' through her attendance at #CalvaryChapelPortland, a Bible-teaching, non-denominational church.

"The court relied heavily on testimony from a self-described 'cult expert' who labeled the church’s teachings on spiritual warfare, fallen angels, and doctrinal certainty as 'cultic' and potentially harmful. On that basis, the court awarded the father final authority over whether the child may attend services or even read the Bible during when with her mother.

[...]

"The father’s lawyer argues that the church’s teachings might have contributed to the child’s anxiety and panic episodes and that the district court acted within its discretion to protect the child’s psychological welfare. The district court judge decided that images of demons, descriptions of eternal punishment, and lessons on spiritual warfare in the Church’s youth curriculum created an environment inappropriate for the child."

Full article:
https://www.standingforfreedom.com/2025/11/20/maine-judge-restricts-mothers-right-to-take-daughter-to-church/

#ChildAbuse #PsychologicalAbuse #Cults #MainePol

Petition to restrict #trans students from sports, bathrooms collects signatures at polling places

Maine Public | By Esta Pratt-Kielley
Published November 4, 2025 at 1:08 PM

"A #conservative group that wants to restrict #transgender students' access to sports and school bathrooms is circulating a petition at polling places in Maine today. If they collect enough signatures, the measure could be on next year's ballot [unfortunately, they got enough signatures].

"The proposed referendum would require students to play on sports teams and use locker rooms and bathrooms that correspond with their biological sex at birth.

"The group #ProtectGirlsSports will need about 68,000 signatures by February to make it on to Maine’s 2026 ballot.

"It is the latest attempt to change Maine’s law, after several bills introduced last legislative session failed to amend the #MaineHumanRightsAct and ban transgender students from participating in sports teams aligned with their gender identities.

" 'Maine's Democrat legislature and governor has refused to comply with Title IX and has forced the hand of Mainers to take upon the task,' said Kristina Parker, the communications director of the Maine Republican Party.

"Parker said the #MaineGOP supports the citizen initiative.

" 'Many claim that only a handful of trans athletes doesn't matter, however there are thousands of female athletes who desire equal and uniform standards. It affects all of us. We want everyone to be safe and be able to play a fair game,' Parker said.

"Maine has faced ongoing pressure by the #Trump administration to comply with the president's executive order banning transgender athletes from competing on girls' sports teams. Earlier this year, the Trump administration accused Maine of violating anti-discrimination law and the state is involved in an ongoing lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice for alleged Title IX violations.

"#EqualityMaine Executive Director #GiaDrew said this initiative is another example of a national political agenda that is using kids.

" 'This initiative seeks to legalize discrimination against transgender students, a protected class here in Maine, who play sports and prevents trans students access to bathrooms and locker room facilities that best match their #GenderIdentity,' Drew said. "It would overturn decades of settled Maine law — law that has been tested in both the courts, including the Maine Supreme Court, and in the legislature on numerous occasions.'

"EqualityMaine is encouraging voters not to sign the petition.

" 'There are significant challenges to ensuring our public schools are funded and prepare young people to become productive adults in a wonderfully diverse global world, but singling out a marginalized group of children is beyond reproach and not part of the solution,' Drew said. 'In fact doing so makes schools less welcoming and safe for all kids.'

"At least six school districts in Maine have banned trans students from girls sports and locker rooms in defiance of the Maine Human Rights Act."

Full article:
https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2025-11-04/petition-to-restrict-trans-students-from-sports-bathrooms-collects-signatures-at-polling-places

#MainePol #ProtectTransYouth #CalvaryChapel
#TransRightsAreHumanRights