Recently the European Court of Human Rights issued its Grand Chamber judgment in the case of Fernández Martínez versus Spain. This case shows the importance of a sound and justified approach of the collective dimension of religious freedom. It is argued that a perspective from individual autonomy falls short. Instead, an account is proposed which reflects on the nature of religious collectivities, and on the proper place of the state within society. In some aspects of the said judgment, elements of such an approach can be found, while other aspects show more affinity with a contrary approach. The judgment therefore suffers from incoherence, as it is argued.