[Conscience of a Conservative]

True, the mother wants to bring her daughter up in a Christian environment. But, the father wants the child to be exposed to other views. Why is the mother’s opinion any more valid?

This isn’t a case where the judge is playing god. This is a case where the judge was deciding a dispute between two divorced parents. It’s an unfortunate case, because there can be no compromise (mother wants to homeschool, nothing else; father wants public school, nothing else; there’s no middle ground), but it’s not a case of a judge overstepping her authority...

[El Cid]

I don't know the legal rights involved - although I'd suspect the parent who has custody AND the child involved would take precedent. The judge's comment:

Amanda's "vigorous defense of her religious beliefs ... suggests strongly that she has not had the opportunity to seriously consider any other point of view," District Court Judge Lucinda V. Sadler said.

is what I found galling. And yes, the judge is playing 'god'.
"She has not had the opportunity to seriously consider any other point of view..." ???
What the heck is that about? Adam allowed Eve to 'seriously consider another point of view' back in the Garden a long time ago ... and that worked out wonderfully for all of us...
If the judge wants to play anti-Solomon and cut the baby in half due to the legal custody arguments - that's one thing. Interjecting that being raised in a Christian environment is inadequate because the person is not exposed to enough lies that might change their mind - is entirely something else...

[Trailerpark Badass]

But, the father wants the child to be exposed to other views. Why is the mother’s opinion any more valid?

because there is nothing in a public school worth being "exposed to."

[Mister Fleas]

“This isn’t a case where the judge is playing god. This is a case where the judge was deciding a dispute between two divorced parents. It’s an unfortunate case, because there can be no compromise (mother wants to homeschool, nothing else; father wants public school, nothing else; there’s no middle ground), but it’s not a case of a judge overstepping her authority...”

The parents already were compromising before Judge Sadler made her decision. A quote from this article:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2327964/posts

“He[mother’s lawyer] contends that the mother enrolled Amanda in three public school courses and got her involved in extra-curricular activities such as gymnastics and softball in an effort to acknowledge the father’s concerns.”

So the girl is both homeschooled and in public school at the same time(in addition to extra-curricular activities). But the father wants it his way, no homeschooling at all, no compromise.