"Religious Freedom" has been used as a tool by people who want to build hierarchies claiming that their religion allows them to discriminate.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the entire United Church of Christ has sued the state claiming that the state's ban on same-sex marriage obstructs their right to practice their religion. The national denomination is joined by local religious leaders including a rabbi, and colleagues from Asheville and Raleigh. All support the rights of
same-sex couples to marry.
If "religious freedom" does exist and is assumed to be lawful in some states, then we'll see what happens when religious folks who believe in breaking down hierarchies claim the same rights.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9116723.html#.U1_Hc63Utpu
