“But this asshat judge is essentially saying I don’t have 1st Amendment protections of religious freedom or exercise to be protected if I don’t belong to a major organization.”
Which is exactly why the FREE EXERCISE of one’s religion IS what is protected. Our forefathers (well many of them at least) did not belong to any specific denomination/church organization EITHER. However, they all knew how important the right to choose for ourselves was. Half of the reason for the 1st Amendment is because of the religious persecution between “branches” of Christianity in England - the fight between Roman Catholics and the Anglican Church. (It was not just the RC Church that participated in various ‘inquisition’ style purges.)
The right to NOT belong to a religious organization and STILL be protected in regards to our religious and spiritual beliefs IS what the 1st Amendment is all about...
As a non-practicing Catholic (but still a believer) I have thought about this a lot since the start of this whole health care debacle. Why would I need to go back to the Church in order to have my rights under US Law recognized? That is precisely the type of thing our Forefathers were against - completely. One should never have to “declare” what religion they are, nor what specific “church” one belongs to/in.
So much more I could say, but you get the drift, I know that... SO frustrating. My personal choices and contemplations about rejoining the church officially should NOT be a decision made from fear of being persecuted and going to hell because of some man-made unconstitutional mandate. I don’t appreciate the government involving itself in my spiritual decisions in this manner in the least... How I worship God is between ME and GOD Himself - I will NOT bow to pressure from MAN forcing me into any decision I have not made in my heart with conviction of my OWN.
Exactly what I’m talking about. This idea of rights only applying to special interest groups, lobbies with power and money and friends of the elite is getting very old. And most people seem to be insensate zombies who don’t know or don’t care that their rights are being stripped away in methodical fashion.