General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 19 states that have ‘religious freedom’ laws like Indiana’s that no one is boycotting [View all]Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)Native tribes around two aspects of their religion, sacred lands and the use of peyote. The courts had allowed laws that interfered with religious practices as a side feature if the law applied to everyone and was not intended to interfere with religious practices. The RFRA basically said Native Americans can eat mescaline even though others can't, and some lands can be protected as religiously important lands.
It is of course worth noting that this act has never been applied more broadly. For example, more than one religion considers cannabis to be sacramental, yet they put Rasta people in jail for that sacrament, in spite of RFRA. Because it does not have actual standing as a long established religion and the use of cannabis is not ritualized or held apart from other life in that religion.
An established religion could also not suddenly announce that it was giving away holy heroin and get by with it.
The point of the law was to increase freedoms not to restrict freedoms, to allow actions in practice of religion that might otherwise be forbidden by law. It is well known that Native American religions make use of peyote in some ceremonies and rites. I have never known of any faith group in any religion or country that states that refusing to serve those they judge as ungodly is a practice of the faith. No Christian denominations cite such a teaching that I know of. So where is the established practice?