Setting aside the exegetical issues with this objection, it simply isn’t enough to merit a religious exemption under our existing legal framework. The argument seems to be that being injected with one of the available COVID vaccines-which are characterized as manifestly unsafe or, at best, risky experimental potions-would defile the Holy Spirit’s dwelling. I’ve seen 1 Corinthians 6:19 quoted in countless vaccine exemption requests. If claims like the latter were adequate for religious exemptions, people could excuse themselves from nearly any rule-something no one thinks is sustainable. There’s a difference between an employee who says, “I’m unable to work Sundays because it’s 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.” Understand this: A belief that something is a matter of conscience or personal choice-even if that belief is religiously informed- isn’t itself a sufficient basis for a religious exemption. The “personal autonomy” objection turns not on the assertion that being vaccinated violates one’s religious beliefs, but rather on the assertion that being required to be vaccinated violates one’s beliefs. While I’m sympathetic to this view, it doesn’t provide the basis for a religious exemption. They consider vaccination a personal choice and argue the government shouldn’t encourage or force employers to dictate this choice for workers.
![religious vaccine exemption letter non christian religious vaccine exemption letter non christian](https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/b3285f3928b23d57/2/output-2.png)
Many Christians are justifiably concerned about government overreach. These deficient exemption requests tend to fall into three categories of objections: personal autonomy, my body is a temple, or abortion complicity. They’re either not religious or not sincerely held. While a few employees might be entitled to religious exemptions from their employers’ vaccine policies, most of the real-life “religious” objections I’ve seen fall short of the standard. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act requires employers to accommodate workers whose sincerely held religious beliefs or practices conflict with workplace rules, so long as the accommodations don’t impose an undue hardship on the employer. What employers may not do is discriminate on the basis of religion. In most jurisdictions, employers are legally permitted to require vaccination as a condition of employment (and many employers may soon be required to do so under the anticipated OSHA emergency standard). And this may come just as Christians are about to need exemptions most. I’m only arguing Christians shouldn’t demand religious exemptions if they choose not to be vaccinated.īut the long-term consequences for religious liberty are what I’m most worried about: that so many of these exemption requests seem mislabeled or disingenuous will invite courts-and the public-to place a tourniquet on religious exemptions generally (i.e., beyond the pandemic context).
![religious vaccine exemption letter non christian religious vaccine exemption letter non christian](https://media.king5.com/assets/KING/images/e5477b77-4801-430e-886f-b1c4f37e97bc/e5477b77-4801-430e-886f-b1c4f37e97bc_1920x1080.jpg)
I’m not arguing Christians should be vaccinated, or that Christians should necessarily acquiesce to employer vaccine mandates. Under current law, that’s enough for employers to turn them down. Few, if any, plausibly assert that receiving the vaccine would violate the employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs. See the Immunization Guidelines: Florida Schools, Childcare Facilities and Family Daycare Homes for complete information on exemptions.I’ve reviewed many of these vaccine exemption requests.
![religious vaccine exemption letter non christian religious vaccine exemption letter non christian](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9Am_CKV7-BscuFxOEaRjapNdrO4=/0x0:1894x1263/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1894x1263):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23056702/vaccine_letter_5.jpg)
Note: Please contact your local county health department for documentation required to obtain Form DH 681. This exemption is issued by a County Health Department (CHD) and based on established religious beliefs or practices only. In this case, the child's physician must state in writing, the reasons for exemption based on valid clinical reasoning or evidence.įorm DH 681, Religious Exemption From Immunization, is issued if immunizations are in conflict with the religious tenets and practices of the child's parent or guardian. The TME requires an expiration date after which the exemption is no longer valid, and the immunizations must be completed before or at that time.Ī Permanent Medical Exemption, documented on the Form DH 680, can be granted if a child cannot be fully immunized due to medical reasons.
![religious vaccine exemption letter non christian religious vaccine exemption letter non christian](https://www.vaccinationinformationnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Capture-2.png)
Private health care providers may grant a Temporary Medical Exemption (TME), documented on the Form DH 680, Florida Certification of Immunization, for those who are in the process of completing any necessary immunizations.