"The father accepts that [the boy] should not be exposed to such religious based media until [he] is at least 12."

The judge concluded that there was a risk of the youngster suffering "emotional damage" if he was taken to to Jehovah's Witness assemblies, annual conventions and memorials.

He heard that the couple had separated about a year after the man began to study the Jehovah's Witness faith.

The boy now lived with his mother, who did not practise any religion.

Judge Dodds said the boy was "impressionable" and might suffer as a result of getting "confusing messages" if he went with his father to certain kinds of Jehovah's Witness gatherings.

The boy's father had asked the judge to decide how much time he could spend with the boy. He also wanted the boy to be "part of" his religious beliefs.

The boy's mother had raised concern about the boy being harmed by his father's religious beliefs and had told the judge how her son had once told her "God is good and you are bad".

Judge Dodds had analysed the dispute at a private family court hearing in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, in May.

He has revealed detail in a written ruling. The family involved has not been identified.