Yet asserting flimsy demands for religious vaccine exemptions will have the opposite effect. I can't even think about it.". They may not statistically do much, we may not understand what they do, and they may not have had safety testing. . Regarding medications- in most cases theyve been around a while. After all, the Christian witness has always been grounded, first and foremost, not in individual political liberty, but in self-sacrifice for the well-being of others. If they are legal, they have been processed at the border, given a court date and potentially released into the US. This isnt just a matter of my blindly accepting every form of medical intervention except for the Covid vaccine. Matthew 18:1-4, and Matthew 19:13-15 are just a few verses that illustrate the aforementioned children as blessings from God that are valued and loved by him, "There's also a general kind of theological belief in the sovereignty of God, that He is the one who knows best. Flagging vaccination rates over the summer of 2021 combined with a sudden surge of the COVID-19 delta variant in recent weeks have prompted many businesses and organizations, and even some state and federal government entities, to implement vaccination requirements for employees. I cant speak for everyone, but I think youre being overly simplistic. If you dont want to get the vaccine, thats your choice. Whatever reasons a person may have for refusing vaccination, it is important to resist the temptation to endow those reasons with religious significance merely as a strategy for securing exemption from an employer mandate. He is a supervisor in Theology and Religious Studies in the Cambridge Divinity Faculty, and he teaches courses for Ridley Hall and the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion. This objection has no interpretivemerit. Current employees may initiate a religious exemption request within the vaccination verification system. What does this mean? Guam, let's unite against arm-twisting tyranny and respect everyone's personal medical and religious choice. Here are nine things you should know about revival and the history of revivals in America. The Liberty Counsel is a Christian legal ministry. If our non-Christian neighbours come to see us as people who think the rules dont apply to us, or as people for whom the well-being of the wider community is irrelevant, their tolerance for our beliefs is likely to wane. These requirements dictate that all employees, whatever their personal reservations might be, must be vaccinated by a specified date or else face repercussions ranging from required masking, testing, and isolation to different assignments to formal termination. But, be a man and face the consequences for your decision. Treating religious exemptions like a wildcard to be played whenever we dont like the rules cheapens the concept and encourages backlash. 6:19-20 is talking about the Corinthians collectively as the temple. Not every directive during a public health crisis represents a curtailment of religious liberty. Therefore, we can claim and live in all the promises of the Bible which he, by the power of the Holy Spirit, inspired men to write (II Timothy 3:16,17). NBC 7 Investigates reached out to the Awaken Church by phone and e-mail multiple times to ask about their religious exemption letters. In fact, the 22% refusal rate was among the highest of any demographic group the foundation measured. This is why, when appealing to religious liberty as the basis for an exemption, Christians should proceed carefully. Couple that with the massive disinformation peddled at their reading level and I can understand why manyrefuse. Many Christians are justifiably concerned about government overreach. I still can't bring myself to think that there is a religious reason you wouldn't get vaccinated or even consider the possibility of getting vaccinated," Kirschner said. Its biblicalanthropology. Tyler Robbins is a bi-vocational pastor at Sleater Kinney Road Baptist Church, in Olympia WA. That being said, if a Christian thinks it is wrong to take a vaccine that involved a cell line that came from a miscarriage, then, logically, that Christian would also have to be against organ donor/recipient situations. She and her family continue to wear masks, isolate and plan to get a booster shot when available. As has been already mentioned, we ingest all sorts of unhealthy foods and beverages without blinking an eye. Similarly, if physical cleanliness was in view, then surely the COVID-19 virus itself would do at least as much to contaminate ones body. There is absolutely no way to measure the impact of the drug has on dopamine and seratonin in the brain. What is said in 1 Corinthians 3:16 of the saints in general, is here said of their bodies in particular. The argument seems to be that being injected with one of the available COVID vaccineswhich are characterized as manifestly unsafe or, at best, risky experimental potionswould defile the Holy Spirits dwelling. Religious freedom is a core value in the United States. If the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in a body that has been contaminated by chemicals or debilitated by injury (let alone in a body injected with a safe and effective vaccine), then countless people who have fallen victim to natural or manmade disasters would be bereft of the presence of God. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. The New York Times, Sept. 11, 2021. But a lot of the religious exemption claims I hear about don't have any real support in the Bible, or any other religious work. Were proud to publish real news 365 days of the year, completely free of charge to our readers. It's unclear as of yet whether the two will attempt to oppose the subpoena orders. Accordingly I believe, pursuant to my Christian faith, that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. It also provides a sample religious exemption letter on its website. Christian notions of purity are not about food laws and physical cleanliness, but about the heart. These are what defile a person. (Matthew 15:11, 19-20). [2] Back to the New York Times articlenote that this woman fronts her remarks with a discussion of freedom. Also, notice that she apparently didnt consult her faith community about the veracity of her religious objection. Could there be a point that vaccines are a gift of God? It has become common for Christians to claim that being forced to take the COVID-19 vaccine is a violation of their religious convictions because their body is a temple, and they are commanded to keep it pure. Mine are nodifferent. But body is a temple actually argues for vaccination. As I have prayed about what I should do, the Holy Spirit has moved on my heart and conscience that I must not accept the COVID shot. [5], This objection says very little. But weve also seen Christian right firms advocating for a broader range of conservative policies.. You dont get to invent your own beliefs and pass them off as Christian. Some people argue getting injected with a foreign substance such as a vaccine would defile their bodies, which they say is sinful. If I were to go against the moving of the Holy Spirit, I would be sinning and jeopardizing my relationship with God and violating my conscience.[4]. But others will not, and their prudential judgement still follows the religious teaching of the Catholic Faith. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. It explains in great detail why they are opposed to the vaccine. Subject: Religious Exemption To Whom It May Concern: I, Yesenia Fuentes, as the parent of David Santos and Daniel Fuentes am exercising my right under the . God didnt just order us to subdue the earth. So, you and your family are going to risk unnecessary hospitalization and death because Juan Pablo crossed the border without getting a vaccine? Those statements were made by people (Jesus, Paul) who spoke and/or wrote under infallible and inerrant direction and filling of the Spirit. There are no major religions in the United States that are officially opposed to the COVID vaccine, Evans said. The Bible says, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17 KJV). I think it is 44% of white evangelicals have stated that they will not get thevaccine. Theres a difference between an employee who says, Im unable to work Sundays because its my day of worship, and another who says, I object to working Sundays because I have a religious belief that what I do with my weekends is a matter of personal choice.. "You can have a church of one," said Lauren Kulpa, an attorney with Perkins Coie LLP. It's a much more complicated and complex phase and debate over religious exemptions. With that said, many people might be surprised at the number of drugs that are in the marketplace that we have no clarity around what makes them work. Just last month, Bishop Robert McElory issued a letter to San Diego priests asking them to decline any requests for religious exemptions to vaccines. Why do people keep missing this? His views dont necessarily represent those of his employers. In some cases the placebos are having a more profound affect than the drug that is being tested. The Church of Christ, Scientist, is the most well-known religious opponent of mandatory vaccination laws, and through its lobbying efforts, has helped to pass religious vaccine exemption laws in most states. There would have been no reason for them to specifically try to obtain the cells from an elective abortion. The difference is that you dont have people screaming that blood pressure medication has computer chips, aborted fetal cells, changes your DNA, safety was skipped.. Those cited here are largely specious; arguments in search of proof-texts. Scripture states that there will come false prophets, who will be strong deceivers, so much so that if it were possible the very elect would fall away. They make this argument for a variety of reasons. But since you brought it up, I have a friend who refuses to take a certain BP med since his friend starting showing signs of dementia shortly after starting it. As it turns out, a large number of everyday productsincluding over-the-counter medicines, prescription drugs, and cosmeticsall have a similar attenuated relationship to these cell lines. Get your FREE eBook about deconstruction: 'Before You Lose Your Faith'. I totally agree with this. Psalms 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. It would take many people (say those in the lowest 25% quartile) an incredible amount of work to understand if the vaccines are harmful or not. One way we do this is when we invoke God as an authority to justify something we want to do. Lets start with the basics. The move is a gamble, as the gathering is seen as a means for presidential hopefuls to gain support among conservatives. Help train Christians to boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that clearly communicates to this secular age. So, do not. Accepting the COVID vaccination into my body violates my closely held religious beliefs. Furthermore, it is central to the Christian faith that we may well be called to sacrifice our bodies for the sake of others (see John 15:13; Philippians 2:3-4; 1 John 3:16). More, Matthew Arbo has a Ph.D. in ethics from the University of Edinburgh, currently serves as a research fellow in Christian Ethics at the ERLC, and has taught at Southeastern, Midwestern, and Southern Seminary in Christian Ethics and Public Theology. Sioux Falls, S.D., Aug 11, 2021 / 17:00 pm. The mandated vaccine, with its numerous additives and its mechanism for altering my body, is the equivalent of a prohibited unclean food that causes harm to my conscience. God gave us His word. That makes absolutely nosense. From my perspective, what I call the abortion complicity objection is perhaps the strongest case. Snow, Rain and Wind in the Forecast Yet Again. This should give Christians pause. This should lead us to question why religious exemption is being sought here. It means that a simple data point was overlooked, surely not intentionally, but even unintentionally it left an impression that isnt true. American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) is proud to be a founding member of the national volunteer COVID-19 Community Corps, which encourages people to get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as it is available to them. In 1990, the Supreme Court issued a decision called Employment Division v. Smith that essentially concluded that religious entities have to follow laws that apply generally to the rest of the population, even if those laws happen to burden their religious beliefs. This is absurd. It must not be! He also works in State government. Several members of Congress condemned the lawmaker's racist words, describing them as "disgusting" and "dangerous.". Second, a misunderstanding of religious liberty and religious conscience exemptions. But attributing it to cowardice is misguided and unhelpful, and in some cases not even true. You must think carefully, very carefully, about why you object to the vaccine. What has your faith community said? But producing high-quality, independent work is not cost-free , If you found the piece above useful, informative, or inspiring, please consider supporting, To donate by check, phone, bitcoin, or other method, see our, Bernie Sanders Reintroduces PRO Act as Labor Activity Is on the Rise, Nebraska Democrat Vows to Filibuster All Bills Until Anti-Trans Bill Is Defeated, Immigrants Win Unprecedented Settlement Over Violent ICE Workplace Raid, The Nuclear War in Ukraine May Not Be the One We Expect, Truthout Center for Grassroots Journalism. When I was 19-weeks pregnant, during an ultrasound, they identified a mass in his left lung, Kirschner said. What Does the LGBT-Discrimination Decision Mean for Religious Employers? If that is their only source of news and everything else is tainted, than it becomes quick to understand why there is so muchmisinformation. The failure of the government to grant religious objectors an exemption from nearly any law or policy now amounts to religion-based discrimination, no matter the importance of the public interest being protected by the law even the publics interest in staying healthy during a global pandemic, concludes the report, titled, We The People (of Faith): The Supremacy of Religious Rights in the Shadow of a Pandemic. Under this broad conception of religious liberty, policymakers could be constitutionally required to exempt religious adherents from regulations enacted to protect labor and workers rights, public health, civil rights, and other critical policy goals., The report outlines chilling examples that could result from this broad new religious power. Even with all your knowledge about medicine, you are conveniently glossing over the fact that while the types of vaccines being used for Covid may have had 20 years of testing, the Covid vaccine definitely has not. I just dont get these arguments. He was a very intelligent man who nevertheless was poorly educated. Amy Littlefield is a freelance investigative reporter focused on the intersection of religion and health care. This shift toward religious exceptionalism is, in significant ways, a departure from precedent. I think its really important to remember that the Christian right is part of a larger conservative movement, Elizabeth Reiner Platt, one of the reports authors, told Truthout. Its like mowing over the dandelions in your grass instead of digging them up at the roots. And a Texas-based. Ive seen 1 Corinthians 6:19 quoted in countless vaccine exemption requests. They, by nature and theology, belong to the individual. Philosophical exemptions: Also called personal-belief exemptions Religious exemptions: Based on the tenets of an organized religion that prohibits vaccinating its members Before You Decide to Homeschool Your Gifted Child Religious Exemptions An example would be drugs around depression. The Supreme Courts ruling in the Tandon case could, at least in theory, open the door to religious exemptions from a whole host of regulations from gun laws, which make exemptions for security guards, to traffic laws, which make exemptions for emergency vehicles, the report notes. But if youre a federal employee, if youre a marshal, a Border Patrol agent, wherever you work, you have to get it. Chip Ellis, who protested the vaccine mandate at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, told The Sun Herald that belief is in part why he submitted a request for a religious exemption. 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