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When a child is baptized into any religion when under the age of reason, how can they be required to adhere to that religion when they disagree with it upon reaching adulthood?

I'm reminded, in some way, of FLDS polygamists who MUST agree with the every word of their "so-called" prophet.

In either case, freedom of intelligent thought is denied.

To understand our POV you have to stipulate, for the sake of argument, that we have some kind of divine revelation thing going on. That is, we think we can, within limits, authoritatively say what is true and what isn't. That's a pretty common claim among religions.

Then there's not a denial of freedom of intelligent thought. There's only a statement that that freedom can be misused. One is free to reach an incorrect conclusion, that is, one we deem incorrect. Any Catholic is free to disagree with the Catholic Church. And there are consequences for that disagreement. (Ninja nuns climbing the walls after midnight on stealth missions of mayhem ....)(Okay. Maybe not.)

And, speaking of intelligent thought, the word "excommunicate" is used in popular culture in such a way as to inhibit intelligent thought. Right now, if, arguendo, Gov. Palin is excommunicated, as I suppose she is, she is being deprived of something she doesn't want anyway. She has, for one reason or another, turned away from the sacraments of the Church. And the Church responds by denying them to her. How dreadful is it when I refuse to give you what you don't want? How vindictive and vengeful is that?

So, touching your first question, who exactly is requiring Gov. Palin to adhere to the "religion" in which she was baptized?

Also, one is blessed enough to be born, without one's consent, a US citizen, or a member of this or that family. One is free upon attaining one's majority, to renounce ties to either. But should someone deliberately renounce his U.S. Citizenship, shall we allow him to vote?

Gov. Palin's excommunication could be taken care of easily if she wanted. A few conferences with a priest, maybe some classes, sacramental confession, affirmation of the Catholic Church, and blammo, excommunication lifted. No stakes or firewood involved. Take your marshmallows back home, we won't be roasting them tonight.