They are certainly empowered to do that, just as I am empowered to block any instance I don't want to participate in. If they are not tolerant and respectful of my beliefs (even if they don't share them) then I don't want to contribute to their community either.

Layperson juries are a fundamental component of criminal justice. The law exists to serve the people, not the lawyers, not the government. Rejecting jurors for understanding the purpose of having a layperson jury fundamentally violates the rights of the accused in particular, and society in general.