I don't believe that either — but that's not what we were talking about, we were talking about whether or not the Bill of Rights protects corporations or not.
Given the preamble of the Bill of Rights, and how it is quite clear that the Bill of Rights is limiting the [federal] government, I'm of the opinion that the Bill of Rights must in-general protect corporations because as they are a group of people to do otherwise would set the precedent that being in a group invalidates individual rights.
You and I may have to agree to disagree on this one. If I could wave my magic wand, the religious freedom clause in the 1st amendment would read “Neither Congress, a state, or any subdivision thereof shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of any religion.” Period. There would also be language specifically identifying which rights are inalienable to natural persons and which are not.
Have you read the Constitutions of the States? How about your own? Usually they have just as strong guarantees, but it's not uncommon for more/better guarantees under a State's than the federal Constitution; a few examples from PA's Constitution:
Article 1 — DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
Religious Freedom
Section 3.
All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship or to maintain any ministry against his consent; no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship.
Elections
Section 5.
Elections shall be free and equal; and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage.
Freedom of Press and Speech; Libels
Section 7.
The printing press shall be free to every person who may undertake to examine the proceedings of the Legislature or any branch of government, and no law shall ever by made to restrain the right thereof. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man, and every citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. No conviction shall be had in any prosecution for the publication of papers relating to the official conduct of officers or men in public capacity, or to any other matter proper for public investigation or information, where the fact that such publication was not maliciously or negligently made shall be established to the satisfaction of the jury; and in all indictments for libels the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court, as in other cases.
Security From Searches and Seizures
Section 8.
The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions from unreasonable searches and seizures, and no warrant to search any place or to seize any person or things shall issue without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation subscribed by the affiant.
Right to Bear Arms
Section 21.
The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.
I hope you'll forgive me if I find that statement somewhat disingenuous. At the very least, permitting a corporation or a PAC or a labor union to have unlimited contributions to elections, based on their right to free speech, is essentially making our government another asset of the Fortune 500 and public employee unions. This is a big reason for the shape we are in now. And also a big part of why the rest of us are essentially invisible to our government, except for the taxing authorities and whichever agency regulates the industry we work in.