Having been a paralegal in family law for the past nine years, I have seen many custody battles raged, and usually for all the wrong reasons. Adults have a unique need to "hurt" their spouse once the marriage is disposed of, and custody battles often arise from this need. The main focus - the difference in religions beliefs and how they affect the medical treatment of this child - is only one aspect of this child's life to consider. Perhaps the court (and the parents) should consider the child's familiarity with his/her school, classmates, neighborhood and friends, proximity to extended family, etc. and consideration should be given to these items in deciding the child's custody. Divorce is traumatic for kids and the less trauma created in the divorce process, the easier for the child to adapt to the initial trauma of the parents' separation. In Florida, we would bring in a Guardian ad litem, who would observe the child in each parent's home, talk to teachers and relatives, and to the child, and who would then make a formal recommendation to the court, if the parents are not able to reach agreement. This would seem to be more in the child's best interests than a psychologist, and less intrusive for the child. An added note: The less fighting between the parents, and more focus on open communications between the parents, generally makes for a better adjustment for the child in divorce, regardless of the parents' religious or medical beliefs!