“A discipline that is required by Church law to me is not a discipline.”
Well, what is it? If you disagree with Church law, are you then a part of the Church? If you practice different than Church law, are you then a part of the Church?
The Apostles didn’t let individuals’ interpretations of the Good News stand. They knocked ‘em down as they came up. Paul especially goes after practices and scolds and corrects. If Paul would scrutinize you or me, would he be inclined to admonish and correct? I think he would.
The Church has the obligation to impose discipline on its members. Else, there is no need of the Church and everyone is his own Pope, creating his own theology, editing his own Bible and defining the path to his own salvation. Handbaskets, anyone?
Couldn't the Galatians have rightfully argue they were imposing Church discipline by requiring everyone to be circumcised? When does imposing the Church's discipline on someone turn into legalism?
This isn't an issue of everyman being his own Pope. This is a issue where some try to impose their will on others contrary to what is written in scripture.