Know Your Rights — Member Guide
Thousand Suns Church of Mother Earth Inc. (TSCME)
“Your faith, body, and sacred practices are protected by law. This guide empowers you to stand in that truth.”
1. Am I protected from mandatory vaccinations?
Yes. As a member of TSCME, you are protected by:
-
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) — Government cannot burden your religious practices without proving a compelling reason and using the least restrictive means.
-
The First and Ninth Amendments — You have the right to bodily sovereignty and religious choice.
-
AIRFA (American Indian Religious Freedom Act) — Protects Indigenous religious expressions, including health and ceremonial practices.
What to say:
“As a member of a federally protected religious organization, I assert my right to decline based on deeply held spiritual beliefs. My body is my sacred temple, and coercion violates my religious freedom under RFRA and AIRFA.”
2. Are our sacred ceremonies legal?
Yes. All TSCME ceremonies, when conducted within our guidelines, are protected expressions of Indigenous religious practice. We are a 508(c)(1)(A) Faith-Based Organization, operating under Constitutional, Federal, and International Law.
Key Protections:
RFRA (Federal defense for religious ceremonies)
RLUIPA (Protects land use for religious ceremonies)
The Boyll Decision & UDV Supreme Court Cases (Sacramental use precedents)
What to say if challenged:
“This ceremony is a protected religious practice under RFRA and AIRFA. My participation is within the bounds of a federally protected faith.”
3. Can I legally possess sacred sacraments (e.g., feathers, herbs, sacred plants)?
Yes, within scope.
-
Possession of ceremonial items like bird of prey feathers is protected for TSCME Authorized Members and Practitioners.
-
Use of sacraments such as Sacred Mushrooms, Mother Cannabis, and Grandfather Cactus, and any entheogenic Substance tea or brew that is used with senser Faith in the use of prayer and connection to spirit god and the universal self with full awareness that its us can not be replaced by anyother substance or tool to access this part of the fractal is protected under religious freedom but must comply with state laws and D.E.A. exemptions where applicable.
Clarification:
TSCME does not distribute federally controlled substances unless clearly permitted under law. Members are responsible for ensuring ceremonial use is within jurisdictional legal boundaries.
4. What if an employer or school mandates medical procedures against my beliefs?
You are protected under:
-
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Sec. 2000e-3) — Prohibits religious discrimination in employment and education.
-
Religious Exemption Provisions under RFRA and State RFRA laws.
What to say:
“I am exercising my federally protected right to religious exemption. Mandating this procedure would violate Title VII and RFRA, which protect my freedom to practice my faith without coercion.”
5. Do I need to carry documentation?
It is recommended to carry:
-
TSCME Membership Card
-
Providers’ Ninth Amendment Declaration (Downloadable)
-
Religious Exemption Letter (Optional Request via TSCME Legal Support)
Having these on hand demonstrates your serious alignment with recognized legal protections.
6. How do I respond calmly if someone questions my rights?
-
Speak from clarity, not confrontation.
-
Use terms like: “I am asserting my religious rights under federal law,” or “This is protected spiritual practice.”
-
Offer to provide your Legal Declaration of Religious Rights (PDF).
7. What laws are my shield?
Law / Act | What it Protects |
---|---|
Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) | Prevents burdens on religious practice |
American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) | Protects Native religious ceremonies and sacraments |
RLUIPA | Protects religious land use and gatherings |
Ninth Amendment | Secures rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution |
Civil Rights Act, Title VII | Prohibits religious discrimination in workplace and schools |
Supreme Court Precedents (UDV, Boyll) | Validates sacramental use for religious purposes |
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIPS) | Asserts Indigenous cultural and spiritual autonomy |