Christian Mom & Satan Dad Feud Over Visitation

A custody battle between a Satanist and his Christian ex-wife has raised constitutional issues after both demanded the right to share their religion with their three young children.

Kristie Meyer has cited the religious beliefs of her former husband, Jamie, as the main reason why an Indiana judge should restrict his visitation rights.

She wants the three to go to church on Sunday mornings - technically, when they are with Mr Meyer - but points out they are unlikely to do so if they are with their father, a member of an organisation calling itself the Church of Satan.

However, legal experts have warned that the American Constitution prevents judges from showing a religious preference.

In a forthcoming court case in Fulton, Indiana, Mr Meyer may now be asked to prove that Satanism, which he says is about celebrating man's desires rather than worshipping the devil, is a real faith.

Meanwhile, legal observers say his former wife may have to show that Satanism - which is recognised as a religion by the US Internal Revenue Service - is harmful to their daughters' upbringing.

Mrs Meyer has argued that her ex-husband's public expression of satanic beliefs has embarrassed their children.

Pat Roberts, her lawyer, has asked the judge to order Mr Meyer to drop off the children at his ex-wife's church so they can attend with her during his visitation time.

"Frankly, (it) can be emotionally damaging or confusing to children when they're faced with these two different forms of worship," Mr Roberts told the Chicago Tribune. "Let's call it worship rather than religion. Religion is based upon recognition of a supreme being."

He added: "Allowing them to go to church for a couple of hours on a Sunday morning is... not unreasonable."

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