Just watching the anti-Semitic terrorist attacks at Brown university (I went to Pembroke, now part of Brown)and the horrific massacre at Bondi Beach (my daughter and family live just north of Sydney) and knowing that France is next, among other Judeo-Christian societies, terrifies me! When is the Left going to break out of its naive, uniformed bubble??? CJC
Antisemitism is unfortunately present across the political spectrum; it doesn't reside solely on the Left. It would make things easier if it did. I know young America Firsters who literally hate Jews. They couch it in terms of Israel's ugly attack on innocents in Gaza. But it doesn't take long for these guys to show their true colors. "Gaza" is just the ruse. They hate Jews. Frankly, I don't get it. Why - and how - does hating Jews make them feel better about themselves?
Calla, the attacks at Brown and Bondi Beach are horrific. I think the underlying causes are different than the court case Andy writes about. After looking into Calvary Church (I put a link to it in my comment) where the mother is taking the child, I have to say it's not just about an atheist v Christian. I am not an atheist, but I understand the father's objections and worries.
You’re relying on claims that originate from the Gateway Pundit—a site with a long record of publishing distorted, misleading, and outright false information. It has been sued repeatedly for defamation, and those lawsuits helped push it into bankruptcy. That alone should be a signal to approach anything they publish with caution.
Before accepting their narrative, it’s worth looking at the actual filings and court documents. Reading the complaint and the judge’s order provides a far more accurate picture than second-hand commentary designed to provoke outrage.
Instead of letting sensationalized stories fuel anger and the belief that “everyone is out to get you,” it might be more productive to examine the facts directly. The issues in this case are far more nuanced than the caricature presented by the Pundit, and reacting to misinformation only leads to posts like this one—strong in emotion but weak in accuracy.
Thank you, David, for the link. Almost all the news outlets, whether left or right, spend 99% of their energy in what they call their “war rooms” deciding how to pitch their version of a story to the public.
Doom and gloom sells. Unfortunately, many people are not skeptical enough to question what they are fed. The funny irony to all of this is that colleges teach the concept of primary and secondary sources. The people who fall for this equate secondary sources with primary sources :(
Three things in the original post got me thinking this was not accurate as portrayed: One, it came from the pundit. Two, it was not picked up by other outlets that purported to offer higher-quality journalism. Three, it just didn't make sense.
The court documents . . . well, there ya go, a primary source!
My husband worked for Newsweek for 25 years. I was a freelance fiction, arts journalism and humor writer. People here really don't know how to read the news they're given — on either side. Incidentally, this Substack by Ryan Lizza about his ex Olivia Nuzzi and her sexting scandal with RFK Jr is what everyone should read. And then they will understand how completely batshit these reporters they're trusting are. https://www.telos.news/p/part-5-loyalty-test
I read the order. Did you? Gateway Pundit had it right. The court gave the atheist father all measures of control as to her ability to follow her Christian faith via her association with Calvary Chapel. The beef? Neither the father, the judge, or the "expert" like what the texts in the bible have to say.
Wrong Andy Caldwell, without the preceding Motions from both Parents you cannot tell the intent but the Court Order is Clear on some Main Issues here >>>> "Mr.
Bradeen's amended motion to enforce raises the new allegation that
Ms. Bickford failed to share in the costs of uninsured medical expenses, childcare
expenses, and other expenses." It is all about the Money ALWAYS.
Review this portion IN THE COURT ORDER>>>,[From Pastor] ".... I guess a custody
battle. There's been 50/50 with dear Ava. Eleven-year-old Ava who's
been with the church family." Forget about the Entire Religious Part of this it is a Custody Battle pure and simple. I am not going to even address the religious part of the Court Order because it should not be in there other than the Custody Battle that is now being communicated to a group. That is the Church of all places.
Andy, I doubt you read the order. If I were to quiz you, face-to-face, on what the order is about, you would not pass.
The court order concerns the child's well-being. The father was given greater control over the child's well-being. Oh, wait... sorry, you did not read that. You just fell for the same BS that the pundit constantly spews.
The mother is trying to take the child off of medications that the child has had and needs. As Howard pointed out, the mother also wants more money. The mother is using that pastor at that Cavalry Church as her guide for raising the child.
Now, the irony of this situation is that if the mother were to raise the child as a Wiccan, you would be for the courts intervening. If the mother were to raise the child as a devil worshipper, you would be for the courts intervening. Fortunately for society, the courts are not looking at the religious aspect at all.
You want to run around and scream that people are taking your religion away. No, people are rejecting your faith, not taking it away, because they see what it is and has become.
Mr. David Bergerson, very good, you saw thru it all. What is perplexing is the
Court did not need to even go into the Church and site case law on Religion just
determine WHO had the best interest of the Child. I hate that phrase, but in this case the Mother filed and the Father responded. It just unfortunate the Court even addressed the Church because it was clear WHO wanted to "Change the Circumstances" that is 50/50 Child Custody and the increase in Child Support that would have resulted. She used to the Church for the wrong purposes. Should have invited the Father to Service and ASKED HIS OPINION after Service.
Yes I get that, but appearing IN PERSON to one of these EVENTS is different
that viewing on ZOOM. And if the Mother was really interested in the Father possibly feeling OK with Church well let him come and personally meet the people AFTER Service. If it is a great place for the Child then bring the Father. It is a Community experience let the Father come.
You will get no argument from me about the difference between 2D (SMS/Social Media) and 3D communications (in person). I am a strong proponent of 3d conversations over 2d. In a weird irony, this was a topic of discussion with my wife earlier today. The youth tend to be lonelier than our generation and our parents' generation, and we feel that is because of 2D communication instead of 3D.
Regarding the in-person visit, I think you are missing the point in the filing where the pastor pursued the father and tried to split the family. If I were the father, there would be no need for me to go there. I know all I need to know. I will let the people who make the decision decide. Thus, he did that with the court system.
Calvary Chapel's crime in this story? Preaching the bible as the inerrant word of God that it is. The judge completely blew off the mother and daughters right to freedom of religion. I did not write about the medical issue, albeit, I suppose you would agree that a parent that did not want the covid and hpv shots is grounds for taking a parent's authority away? The covid shot was dangerous and the hpv shot is useless for a 12 year old not engaged in sexual activity.
Now we are using 'crimes', not morals. Ok. So when the bible does not back up your want-to-believe narrative, you go to the law. Very interesting.
Did the church commit a crime? Honestly, I would tend to say no, but just as there are senior abuse laws, there may be laws in Maine regarding the corruption of youth. But I am not sure.
I knew this was coming . . . typical relgious perspective. Ignore the whole picture and focus on the tiny point. So you were ok with the mother, whose child had pneumonia not taking medications for that because 'god would heal the child?'
And you are entirely clueless about how the HPV shots work. Your ignorance is shining brighter than a lighthouse light. Seriously, take some time, man, read, learn, then spew. This back-and-forth banter, where you have your answer that is hunting a question, is making you look completely ignorant of the topics at hand.
Let me do the Christian thing here. Let me work on educating you.
The appropriate ages for girls to get the HPV shot, which is two doses, are between 9 and 14. HPV is not technically a sexually transmitted disease. It can be transmitted by touch, and not only the evil penis. The shot will last the girl's lifetime, and thus, when she is sexually active, hopefully not with her father, you know, like Lot's daughters. It is not like a condom, where you can 'take it' before the evil sexual act.
But back to crime.
I guess Jim Jones didn't commit a crime when he was in San Fran?
The Maine Supreme Court has just heard the case. They will rule. So that I get your responses ready . . . If they rule against the mother, you will say that they are anti-Christian, and if they rule for the mother, you will say that they are adhering to the law. Did I get those correct? Want to word them now so that you have them ready?
Just so that Andy might want to learn something from this post and PROOF that he did not READ the court order.
Just go to page 17 of 18 of the court order. Just read the paragraph starting with 'Accordingly, the court . . .'
And somehow, Andy is cool with the top of page 11 of 18, where the pastor gets in the middle of the parents and preaches to the child that her father is the enemy and her father is persecuting her.
Good job, Andy. Why not just be truthful and admit that either one: you fell for the pundit BS, two: didn't read the court order, three: are just trying for some form of clickbait. Or, perhaps it was all three.
I did read it. What you haven't read is the bible, either that, or you don't believe what it teaches. You have no respect for mainstream Christianity, hence you agree with the judge and the atheistic father. You have no respect therefore for the constitution.
Your tears of crying about this like mana for all of us who think religion is a cult.
But, hey, let me point out how much you are a @#$%^#$%^ hypocrite and a liar. Yes. A liar. But you can prove me wrong in calling me a liar by stating that all of these quotes from the bible are what you believe in and adhere to.
"You shall not wear a garment of different sorts, such as wool and linen mixed together." And the punishment for that is what? DEATH.
You are probably screaming that God is pro-life.
" From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys."
And what did God do to Lot's wife?
And speaking of Lot. Are you cool with incest?
Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children—as is the custom all over the earth. 32 Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.”
That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.
The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” 35 So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.
So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab[a]; he is the father of the Moabites of today. 38 The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi[b]; he is the father of the Ammonites[c] of today.
I stand by my comment in a previous response. It is funny that I am quoting myself, "Those values were litigated in courts and in the broader culture. They lost, and they deserved to."
So please, get off your high horse about the bible. And incoming . . . the movement of the goalposts from you when you proclaim that the bible is not real, those were just stories to teach values.
Wow . . . I just saw how LAZILY these outsiders really are. Go to Google. Type this: jennifer w. nofsinger party affiliation The quote that these IDIOT religious zealots used was from Google's AI and it was WRONG. Google's AI tied the two Nofsinger's together as one person. WOW. Talk about being LAZY!
How gullible are the people who read the pundit? They believe it to be true when it is just utter garbage trying to stoke fear by lying.
Hello Mr. David Bergerson, thanks for providing the extensive Court Order for this
Family Law Case that allegedly centers on a Parents right to choose their children's
religion or education. However carefully reading the, actually well written Court Order,
there are serious problems with it that is beyond this narrative. However, the Key portion of that Order is here "To remedy her concerns, Ms. Bickford asks for allocated decision
making with respect to religious upbringing as well as **changes to child support** and
communication expectations between the parties." Most if not all Family Law Case in the US are always about Money that is **Spousal and Child Support** and typically the Mother filing "Change of Circumstances Motions" to obtain more money. It appears that is what is going on here however without Mothers Motion it is hard to know exactly. The fact the Father has equality in many decision areas is very unusual so Mother wanted to Change that. I would suggest to all here to actually go into the Santa Barbara Courts and hear cases before the family law Judges or in any Court Room in California and I think you all would be shocked. It is not about medical decisions, religion it is ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY. That Court Order also denied Mother's play for More Money and very unusual.
Sorry, but it’s hard to get worked up about a court order, a sticky divorce custody battle or Protestant teachings of the Calvary Church, while worshipers of faith are being cut down in Australia and Brown University.
Those of the Jewish faith are being murdered for simply attending Hanukkah services. Those of all faiths should denounce this disgusting act.
Granted, a full investigation into such a horrible act still needs to be completed, but it is reasonable to assume the motives of those involved.
While some may argue about the orthodoxy of fundamentalist Christian teachings and its interpretation of the Bible, where is the discussion about the Quran and its teachings of submission, domination and in this case, mass murder of Jews?
YOU are the problem. Look at what you wrote, "Those of all faiths should denounce this disgusting act." NO. That is so @#$%^ wrong at so many different levels. Why do you have to be of a faith to denounce murder? I do not believe in ANY god. I do not feel ANYONE should be murdered. I denounce it. Is that wrong?
Now, for $__t and giggles. How ya feeling about people on boats in Venezuela?
No, I am not looking for a fight. The world is NOT out to get you. You are not that special, just one of about 8 billion.
When you decide to exclude groups from the human race, YOU are the problem.
Murder is murder. Justifying murder because someone is of a different faith or even has faith does not negate that it is still murder. You imply that because someone does not have faith, they condone murder. That is nonsense and completely stupid.
Unfortunately, the Bickford case is another one of the thousands of custody cases in the US where the legal system ends up making everything worse. The father in this case says the child was having panic attacks because she was being taught that her sister and father were going to hell because they were non-believers and because of demon images to which she was being exposed. Who knows what the truth is. What I do know is when attorneys and judges get involved in family custody cases, almost everyone ends up suffering, particularly the children.
Andy, fascinating subject. I wish you would have posted links to everything mentioned in it. Before commenting I research what these posts on SB Current are referencing. So I've been reading up on Calvary Chapel on my own — if I have the one you're writing about it's this https://www.ccgreaterportland.org/what-we-believe. Here's my take on this: it seems to be a dispensational sect of Christianity. And if I'm incorrect, please guide me to a better understanding. Now, I'm not a Christian, but I am also not an Atheist. If I was divorced and my ex was taking my child to this church, I would protest it. I've known adults in Christian sects like this, and I do not think their mental health has benefited from it. I think it would be far harder for a child to process. That said, I would do everything I could to avoid subjecting my child to a court battle. I really feel for the child in this story, who is being used by her parents in their battle with each other. This child is living through two apocalypses — her parents' divorce and the sermons she's hearing at Calvary Church. Whatever happened to parents? Just gve peace a chance for the sake of your children.
Please read the gospel of John. It is available online. The basic truth of Christmas? Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. Those who believe in him as Lord and Savior will have the benefit of his sacrifice which is eternal life. This basic message was preached in all Christian churches since the time of Christ's death and resurrection. It is obviously lost on most of these commentors.
We attend Calvary Chapel in SB. Not sure about the exact teachings of the one in Maine, but Calvary Chapel’s hallmark is verse by verse teaching of the Bible. Christians believe this book to be the word of God. An atheist dad is going to hate the truth of the Bible, whether his wife exposes his daughter to it or not.
I read the order. Did you? Gateway Pundit had it right. The court gave the atheist father all measures of control as to her ability to follow her Christian faith via her association with Calvary Chapel. The beef? Neither the father, the judge, or the "expert" like what the texts in the bible have to say.
Again, Andy Caldwell read carefully the Court Order. It is a Custody Battle over 50/50 share and Mother wanted to Change That Custody which means more Child Support payments to her. It is that simple. Now THE CHURCH is involved in the Custody Battle, and it should not be. The Church and Religion is a RED HERRING in all of this. The silly Court should have never gone there on the Church or Religion Issue so it will probably go to the US Supreme Court.
It has zero chance of hitting the Supreme Court. I have a better chance of winning all the lotteries back-to-back, with Elizabeth Hurley, Elle MacPherson, Sydney Sweeney, and the Rockettes all knocking on my door looking for booty calls.
Now, after I have a heart attack and die because that happened . . .
For Christians, sharing the Christmas and Easter holidays with an ever more secular and post Christian society has been an odd trip. Frosty the snowman, Rudolph the reindeer, the Saint Nicolas of Coca Cola commercials, the Grinch, the Easter bunny etc etc all are Madison Avenue creations, at the very least. They have nothing to do with the
creator of the universe coming to live among the humans He created, die a sacrificial death, come back from the grave 3 days later, and promise to return at the end of time. If the atheists and religious skeptics want to ignore these holidays, it would be more consistent with their theology, or lack thereof. Of course, they do so at the peril of their souls, but as a typist in my first office said “ why mess up a wonderful holiday with all that religious stuff?”
Please read the gospel of John. It is available online. The basic truth of Christmas? Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. Those who believe in him as Lord and Savior will have the benefit of his sacrifice which is eternal life. This basic message was preached in all Christian churches since the time of Christ's death and resurrection. It is obviously lost on most of these commentors.
Just watching the anti-Semitic terrorist attacks at Brown university (I went to Pembroke, now part of Brown)and the horrific massacre at Bondi Beach (my daughter and family live just north of Sydney) and knowing that France is next, among other Judeo-Christian societies, terrifies me! When is the Left going to break out of its naive, uniformed bubble??? CJC
Antisemitism is unfortunately present across the political spectrum; it doesn't reside solely on the Left. It would make things easier if it did. I know young America Firsters who literally hate Jews. They couch it in terms of Israel's ugly attack on innocents in Gaza. But it doesn't take long for these guys to show their true colors. "Gaza" is just the ruse. They hate Jews. Frankly, I don't get it. Why - and how - does hating Jews make them feel better about themselves?
Calla, the attacks at Brown and Bondi Beach are horrific. I think the underlying causes are different than the court case Andy writes about. After looking into Calvary Church (I put a link to it in my comment) where the mother is taking the child, I have to say it's not just about an atheist v Christian. I am not an atheist, but I understand the father's objections and worries.
This article illustrates a larger problem.
You’re relying on claims that originate from the Gateway Pundit—a site with a long record of publishing distorted, misleading, and outright false information. It has been sued repeatedly for defamation, and those lawsuits helped push it into bankruptcy. That alone should be a signal to approach anything they publish with caution.
Before accepting their narrative, it’s worth looking at the actual filings and court documents. Reading the complaint and the judge’s order provides a far more accurate picture than second-hand commentary designed to provoke outrage.
Instead of letting sensationalized stories fuel anger and the belief that “everyone is out to get you,” it might be more productive to examine the facts directly. The issues in this case are far more nuanced than the caricature presented by the Pundit, and reacting to misinformation only leads to posts like this one—strong in emotion but weak in accuracy.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gf22elybdzox32l1wupse/112525Order-DC-CustodyIssues.pdf?rlkey=djs5pkdj5t2i7vfju79ouo24k&e=1&st=wwbiwro3&dl=0
Just read the source.
Thank you, David, for the link. Almost all the news outlets, whether left or right, spend 99% of their energy in what they call their “war rooms” deciding how to pitch their version of a story to the public.
No problem.
Doom and gloom sells. Unfortunately, many people are not skeptical enough to question what they are fed. The funny irony to all of this is that colleges teach the concept of primary and secondary sources. The people who fall for this equate secondary sources with primary sources :(
Three things in the original post got me thinking this was not accurate as portrayed: One, it came from the pundit. Two, it was not picked up by other outlets that purported to offer higher-quality journalism. Three, it just didn't make sense.
The court documents . . . well, there ya go, a primary source!
My husband worked for Newsweek for 25 years. I was a freelance fiction, arts journalism and humor writer. People here really don't know how to read the news they're given — on either side. Incidentally, this Substack by Ryan Lizza about his ex Olivia Nuzzi and her sexting scandal with RFK Jr is what everyone should read. And then they will understand how completely batshit these reporters they're trusting are. https://www.telos.news/p/part-5-loyalty-test
Pol - ‘ completely batshit’ - glad to finally get a scientific analysis !
Lol, Mr. Brown. You always make my day!
I read the order. Did you? Gateway Pundit had it right. The court gave the atheist father all measures of control as to her ability to follow her Christian faith via her association with Calvary Chapel. The beef? Neither the father, the judge, or the "expert" like what the texts in the bible have to say.
Wrong Andy Caldwell, without the preceding Motions from both Parents you cannot tell the intent but the Court Order is Clear on some Main Issues here >>>> "Mr.
Bradeen's amended motion to enforce raises the new allegation that
Ms. Bickford failed to share in the costs of uninsured medical expenses, childcare
expenses, and other expenses." It is all about the Money ALWAYS.
Review this portion IN THE COURT ORDER>>>,[From Pastor] ".... I guess a custody
battle. There's been 50/50 with dear Ava. Eleven-year-old Ava who's
been with the church family." Forget about the Entire Religious Part of this it is a Custody Battle pure and simple. I am not going to even address the religious part of the Court Order because it should not be in there other than the Custody Battle that is now being communicated to a group. That is the Church of all places.
Agree, Walter.
Andy, I doubt you read the order. If I were to quiz you, face-to-face, on what the order is about, you would not pass.
The court order concerns the child's well-being. The father was given greater control over the child's well-being. Oh, wait... sorry, you did not read that. You just fell for the same BS that the pundit constantly spews.
The mother is trying to take the child off of medications that the child has had and needs. As Howard pointed out, the mother also wants more money. The mother is using that pastor at that Cavalry Church as her guide for raising the child.
Now, the irony of this situation is that if the mother were to raise the child as a Wiccan, you would be for the courts intervening. If the mother were to raise the child as a devil worshipper, you would be for the courts intervening. Fortunately for society, the courts are not looking at the religious aspect at all.
You want to run around and scream that people are taking your religion away. No, people are rejecting your faith, not taking it away, because they see what it is and has become.
Mr. David Bergerson, very good, you saw thru it all. What is perplexing is the
Court did not need to even go into the Church and site case law on Religion just
determine WHO had the best interest of the Child. I hate that phrase, but in this case the Mother filed and the Father responded. It just unfortunate the Court even addressed the Church because it was clear WHO wanted to "Change the Circumstances" that is 50/50 Child Custody and the increase in Child Support that would have resulted. She used to the Church for the wrong purposes. Should have invited the Father to Service and ASKED HIS OPINION after Service.
Honestly, I do not think he needed to be invited to the service. As the filings stated, the service was recorded, and he watched them online.
https://www.youtube.com/@calvarychapelgreaterportland
Yes I get that, but appearing IN PERSON to one of these EVENTS is different
that viewing on ZOOM. And if the Mother was really interested in the Father possibly feeling OK with Church well let him come and personally meet the people AFTER Service. If it is a great place for the Child then bring the Father. It is a Community experience let the Father come.
You will get no argument from me about the difference between 2D (SMS/Social Media) and 3D communications (in person). I am a strong proponent of 3d conversations over 2d. In a weird irony, this was a topic of discussion with my wife earlier today. The youth tend to be lonelier than our generation and our parents' generation, and we feel that is because of 2D communication instead of 3D.
Regarding the in-person visit, I think you are missing the point in the filing where the pastor pursued the father and tried to split the family. If I were the father, there would be no need for me to go there. I know all I need to know. I will let the people who make the decision decide. Thus, he did that with the court system.
Calvary Chapel's crime in this story? Preaching the bible as the inerrant word of God that it is. The judge completely blew off the mother and daughters right to freedom of religion. I did not write about the medical issue, albeit, I suppose you would agree that a parent that did not want the covid and hpv shots is grounds for taking a parent's authority away? The covid shot was dangerous and the hpv shot is useless for a 12 year old not engaged in sexual activity.
Gonna keep digging deeper here are ya!
Now we are using 'crimes', not morals. Ok. So when the bible does not back up your want-to-believe narrative, you go to the law. Very interesting.
Did the church commit a crime? Honestly, I would tend to say no, but just as there are senior abuse laws, there may be laws in Maine regarding the corruption of youth. But I am not sure.
I knew this was coming . . . typical relgious perspective. Ignore the whole picture and focus on the tiny point. So you were ok with the mother, whose child had pneumonia not taking medications for that because 'god would heal the child?'
And you are entirely clueless about how the HPV shots work. Your ignorance is shining brighter than a lighthouse light. Seriously, take some time, man, read, learn, then spew. This back-and-forth banter, where you have your answer that is hunting a question, is making you look completely ignorant of the topics at hand.
Let me do the Christian thing here. Let me work on educating you.
The appropriate ages for girls to get the HPV shot, which is two doses, are between 9 and 14. HPV is not technically a sexually transmitted disease. It can be transmitted by touch, and not only the evil penis. The shot will last the girl's lifetime, and thus, when she is sexually active, hopefully not with her father, you know, like Lot's daughters. It is not like a condom, where you can 'take it' before the evil sexual act.
But back to crime.
I guess Jim Jones didn't commit a crime when he was in San Fran?
The Maine Supreme Court has just heard the case. They will rule. So that I get your responses ready . . . If they rule against the mother, you will say that they are anti-Christian, and if they rule for the mother, you will say that they are adhering to the law. Did I get those correct? Want to word them now so that you have them ready?
Just so that Andy might want to learn something from this post and PROOF that he did not READ the court order.
Just go to page 17 of 18 of the court order. Just read the paragraph starting with 'Accordingly, the court . . .'
And somehow, Andy is cool with the top of page 11 of 18, where the pastor gets in the middle of the parents and preaches to the child that her father is the enemy and her father is persecuting her.
Good job, Andy. Why not just be truthful and admit that either one: you fell for the pundit BS, two: didn't read the court order, three: are just trying for some form of clickbait. Or, perhaps it was all three.
I did read it. What you haven't read is the bible, either that, or you don't believe what it teaches. You have no respect for mainstream Christianity, hence you agree with the judge and the atheistic father. You have no respect therefore for the constitution.
In reply to Andy Caldwell and in defense of David Bergerson
I am one of those Christians, but not that one like that Pastor that is
cited in the Court Order. Also I have been around to many Hypocritical
So-Called-Christians and Pastors. May want to read the Bible in it's
Original Greek for beginnings and actually know what the Bible says
then actual apply it because I have seen little application in this country.
Wait!
That is mainstream Christianity. HOLY SCARY CRAP.
Your tears of crying about this like mana for all of us who think religion is a cult.
But, hey, let me point out how much you are a @#$%^#$%^ hypocrite and a liar. Yes. A liar. But you can prove me wrong in calling me a liar by stating that all of these quotes from the bible are what you believe in and adhere to.
"You shall not wear a garment of different sorts, such as wool and linen mixed together." And the punishment for that is what? DEATH.
You are probably screaming that God is pro-life.
" From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys."
And what did God do to Lot's wife?
And speaking of Lot. Are you cool with incest?
Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children—as is the custom all over the earth. 32 Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.”
That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.
The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” 35 So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.
So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab[a]; he is the father of the Moabites of today. 38 The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi[b]; he is the father of the Ammonites[c] of today.
I stand by my comment in a previous response. It is funny that I am quoting myself, "Those values were litigated in courts and in the broader culture. They lost, and they deserved to."
So please, get off your high horse about the bible. And incoming . . . the movement of the goalposts from you when you proclaim that the bible is not real, those were just stories to teach values.
@Andy
Just to point out some more . . .
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/11/anti-christian-judge-prevents-mother-taking-daughter-church/
That is the basis of your story.
Of course, it got all the clichés in:
Anti Christian
Leftist
ACLU
California
So let's see what is accurate.
Anti-Christian - nope, the order does not say that.
Leftist - unknown
ACLU - OH WAIT . . . the @#$%^ morons just searched for the judge by last name. There was another person with the same last name who was President of the ACLU in Maine. NOT THIS JUDGE. https://www.bermansimmons.com/our-attorneys/jodi-l-nofsinger-retired-/ That is the ACLU person. The judge graduated lawschool in 2003. https://trellis.law/judge/jennifer.w.nofsinger
California - and this you will find FUNNY. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janja_Lalich https://www.lalichcenter.org/
Wow . . . I just saw how LAZILY these outsiders really are. Go to Google. Type this: jennifer w. nofsinger party affiliation The quote that these IDIOT religious zealots used was from Google's AI and it was WRONG. Google's AI tied the two Nofsinger's together as one person. WOW. Talk about being LAZY!
How gullible are the people who read the pundit? They believe it to be true when it is just utter garbage trying to stoke fear by lying.
Hello Mr. David Bergerson, thanks for providing the extensive Court Order for this
Family Law Case that allegedly centers on a Parents right to choose their children's
religion or education. However carefully reading the, actually well written Court Order,
there are serious problems with it that is beyond this narrative. However, the Key portion of that Order is here "To remedy her concerns, Ms. Bickford asks for allocated decision
making with respect to religious upbringing as well as **changes to child support** and
communication expectations between the parties." Most if not all Family Law Case in the US are always about Money that is **Spousal and Child Support** and typically the Mother filing "Change of Circumstances Motions" to obtain more money. It appears that is what is going on here however without Mothers Motion it is hard to know exactly. The fact the Father has equality in many decision areas is very unusual so Mother wanted to Change that. I would suggest to all here to actually go into the Santa Barbara Courts and hear cases before the family law Judges or in any Court Room in California and I think you all would be shocked. It is not about medical decisions, religion it is ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY. That Court Order also denied Mother's play for More Money and very unusual.
Howard Walther, Member of a Military Family
Sorry, but it’s hard to get worked up about a court order, a sticky divorce custody battle or Protestant teachings of the Calvary Church, while worshipers of faith are being cut down in Australia and Brown University.
Those of the Jewish faith are being murdered for simply attending Hanukkah services. Those of all faiths should denounce this disgusting act.
Granted, a full investigation into such a horrible act still needs to be completed, but it is reasonable to assume the motives of those involved.
While some may argue about the orthodoxy of fundamentalist Christian teachings and its interpretation of the Bible, where is the discussion about the Quran and its teachings of submission, domination and in this case, mass murder of Jews?
LT
YOU are the problem. Look at what you wrote, "Those of all faiths should denounce this disgusting act." NO. That is so @#$%^ wrong at so many different levels. Why do you have to be of a faith to denounce murder? I do not believe in ANY god. I do not feel ANYONE should be murdered. I denounce it. Is that wrong?
Now, for $__t and giggles. How ya feeling about people on boats in Venezuela?
Bergerson, you’re obviously looking for a fight, and emotional status is beyond the purview of this discussion. I will pray for you regardless.
No, I am not looking for a fight. The world is NOT out to get you. You are not that special, just one of about 8 billion.
When you decide to exclude groups from the human race, YOU are the problem.
Murder is murder. Justifying murder because someone is of a different faith or even has faith does not negate that it is still murder. You imply that because someone does not have faith, they condone murder. That is nonsense and completely stupid.
Seriously, maybe you should consider a psych consult before the end of the year and the deductible is met.
Perhaps you spend your money on education. It is surely lacking.
To your song lyrics, we can only hope. Merry Christmas to all.
Thanks for the reminder, Andy. It sometimes seems a lost cause.
Unfortunately, the Bickford case is another one of the thousands of custody cases in the US where the legal system ends up making everything worse. The father in this case says the child was having panic attacks because she was being taught that her sister and father were going to hell because they were non-believers and because of demon images to which she was being exposed. Who knows what the truth is. What I do know is when attorneys and judges get involved in family custody cases, almost everyone ends up suffering, particularly the children.
Andy, fascinating subject. I wish you would have posted links to everything mentioned in it. Before commenting I research what these posts on SB Current are referencing. So I've been reading up on Calvary Chapel on my own — if I have the one you're writing about it's this https://www.ccgreaterportland.org/what-we-believe. Here's my take on this: it seems to be a dispensational sect of Christianity. And if I'm incorrect, please guide me to a better understanding. Now, I'm not a Christian, but I am also not an Atheist. If I was divorced and my ex was taking my child to this church, I would protest it. I've known adults in Christian sects like this, and I do not think their mental health has benefited from it. I think it would be far harder for a child to process. That said, I would do everything I could to avoid subjecting my child to a court battle. I really feel for the child in this story, who is being used by her parents in their battle with each other. This child is living through two apocalypses — her parents' divorce and the sermons she's hearing at Calvary Church. Whatever happened to parents? Just gve peace a chance for the sake of your children.
Please read the gospel of John. It is available online. The basic truth of Christmas? Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. Those who believe in him as Lord and Savior will have the benefit of his sacrifice which is eternal life. This basic message was preached in all Christian churches since the time of Christ's death and resurrection. It is obviously lost on most of these commentors.
We attend Calvary Chapel in SB. Not sure about the exact teachings of the one in Maine, but Calvary Chapel’s hallmark is verse by verse teaching of the Bible. Christians believe this book to be the word of God. An atheist dad is going to hate the truth of the Bible, whether his wife exposes his daughter to it or not.
Thank you, Andy for your response.
I read the order. Did you? Gateway Pundit had it right. The court gave the atheist father all measures of control as to her ability to follow her Christian faith via her association with Calvary Chapel. The beef? Neither the father, the judge, or the "expert" like what the texts in the bible have to say.
Again, Andy Caldwell read carefully the Court Order. It is a Custody Battle over 50/50 share and Mother wanted to Change That Custody which means more Child Support payments to her. It is that simple. Now THE CHURCH is involved in the Custody Battle, and it should not be. The Church and Religion is a RED HERRING in all of this. The silly Court should have never gone there on the Church or Religion Issue so it will probably go to the US Supreme Court.
It has zero chance of hitting the Supreme Court. I have a better chance of winning all the lotteries back-to-back, with Elizabeth Hurley, Elle MacPherson, Sydney Sweeney, and the Rockettes all knocking on my door looking for booty calls.
Now, after I have a heart attack and die because that happened . . .
:)
Ok, this must be the time to play the lottery.
We agree on a topic!
For Christians, sharing the Christmas and Easter holidays with an ever more secular and post Christian society has been an odd trip. Frosty the snowman, Rudolph the reindeer, the Saint Nicolas of Coca Cola commercials, the Grinch, the Easter bunny etc etc all are Madison Avenue creations, at the very least. They have nothing to do with the
creator of the universe coming to live among the humans He created, die a sacrificial death, come back from the grave 3 days later, and promise to return at the end of time. If the atheists and religious skeptics want to ignore these holidays, it would be more consistent with their theology, or lack thereof. Of course, they do so at the peril of their souls, but as a typist in my first office said “ why mess up a wonderful holiday with all that religious stuff?”
Pls do. Here are the writer’s guidelines and where to submit. Thanks! https://www.sbcurrent.com/about
Please read the gospel of John. It is available online. The basic truth of Christmas? Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. Those who believe in him as Lord and Savior will have the benefit of his sacrifice which is eternal life. This basic message was preached in all Christian churches since the time of Christ's death and resurrection. It is obviously lost on most of these commentors.