This is a case of a father and mother who are in conflict on the religious education and medical treatment of an 11-year old daughter.
Apparently they have 50/50 shared custody.
The key observations for me is the father does not seem to have voiced any religious beliefs. The mother seems to have begun attending and becoming heavily involved in a church named Calvary Chapel of Portland Maine (Westbrook area). Calvary Chapel reportedly engages in rhetoric and visual images that at least borders on if not outrightly inappropriate for an 11-year old..
The mother apparently does not want the daughter to take shots such as COVID or even anti-biotics. It is not clear whether that is a result of her attending the new church but seemingly is so.
The lower court ruled the father should have religious say and have forbidden the mother from getting the daughter involved in the activities of Calvary Chapel. The court also ruled the father should have say over medical treatment for the daughter.
The mother has appealed to the higher court.
Although I do believe under normal circumstances the father should have the final say over both questions, I do find the religious one does require a deeper look beyond the male headship principle given the father’s seemingly absence of Christian belief.
Nevertheless I still hold it is the right decision as the mother can still impart within the child her basic beliefs in God and his commandments at home during her time of custody without getting the child involved in extreme activities in organized religion which may not be appropriate for an 11-year old. When the daughter reaches appropriate age she can make her own mind regarding such matters.
This reminds me that as a Christian Minister I must not allow my zeal for the things of God to not be according to knowledge and that includes knowledge of what is appropriate at a given age for young folks.
Lower Court Order may be found here.
