bible verses for religious exemption

These are what defile a person." (Matthew 15:11, 19-20) a. Commentators cited Murdoch's deposition as evidence that the network couldn't be trusted to report the facts. The problem is that the same people who eagerly promote anti-vaccine misinformation are just as eager to misuse religion to avoid . People came out with huge numbers, great stories of impending disaster, and the like, much of which turned out to be distorted and exaggerated and some of which was known at the time to be exaggerated anddistorted. Help train Christians to boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that clearly communicates to this secular age. 6:19. And in Washington state, some 3,800 state workers are have requested religious exemptions to Gov. In the active duty Army, 2,910 permanent religious exemptions have been requested, with 266. 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. Under current law, thats enough for employers to turn them down. But a vaccine that does not reside in the body, has a significant statistical advantage, has had 20 years of testing, the biochemical functions are well understood and can be studied in real living people, are extremely safe, are manufactured in controlled environments regulated by laws and has been distributed to almost 50% of the worlds population is considered quackscience. 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. In general, non-religious people fear bodily harm just as much. Fair enoughwell get there. One manual circulated by Rita Palma, an anti-vax activist, advises people to include key words such as sacred, holy and blessed.. We dont possess ourselves but are ourselves possessed by him (1 Cor 6:20). On a more serious note, what deeply concerns me these days isnt the loss of religious liberty in the COVID measures, but the loss of religious liberty that will result from abuse of that liberty. 3, Paul is speaking of the Corinthians as a whole as thetemple. Religious liberty is precious and should be protected. Unless you're a member of a Dutch Reformed church or a Christian Science church, making a claim for a religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine as a Christian is going to be hard to prove.. 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. I religiously object to wearing a life preserver when I go canoeing because lugging that thing along causes undue fatigue and my body is a temple and besides, there are studies that question the effectiveness of life vests and besides, I know how toswim. Johnson & Johnson did use a replicated fetal cell line in the production of its vaccine, and Pfizer and Moderna used them to test the effectiveness of their vaccines. God hasnt mandated seatbelts, either. 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. They may feel the policy unnecessarily overreaching or discriminatory, or perhaps presumptuous and hasty. Should Christians be opposed to vaccination? The service members argue that both the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the First Amendment require the federal government to allow exemptions for their sincerely held religious beliefs, especially since they are willing to take other precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in lieu of vaccination and the Navy is . I also think that many people would be surprised at the how rapid the placebo affect is getting better. None of these drugs have had any safety studies done, nor are they approved by the FDA. Mine are nodifferent. Tseng told NBC 7 that he and other San Diego County physicians are being asked to sign off on religious exemptions as well. But ask yourself, Is [insert religious justification] really why I dont want the vaccine, or is [insert religious justification] a convenient pass for me to avoid something I just dont want to do? If the answer is yes, then youre in danger of violating the ThirdCommandment. People with religious exemptions are not just looking for excuses, people get these exemptions because . People look for us to be models of . "Do it for yourself, do it for your family, do it for those around you., Baby Jonah in the hospital in 2007. But the long-term consequences for religious liberty are what Im most worried about: that so many of these exemption requests seem mislabeled or disingenuous will invite courtsand the publicto place a tourniquet on religious exemptions generally (i.e., beyond the pandemic context). Vaccines to me are unclean. There is nothing distinctly religious about the fear of bodily harm involved in vaccine hesitancy. Second, the sample letter mistakenly interprets the temple motif to refer to physical pollution to ones body, when Paul is in fact interjecting a rhetorical question (an accusation, really) about sins that may destroy their community (the temple), among which Christresides. Smith, it appears that there is no constitutional requirement for the government, including the public schools that it operates, to provide religious exemptions when mandating vaccines to receive . His views dont necessarily represent those of his employers. Therefore, Psalm 91 says if we make and say (Mark 11:23,24) that the Lord is our refuge and fortress then no pestilence or plague or evil shall come near our dwelling. KCRA News reports that after Sunday services last week, there were long lines of people waiting to pick up exemption letters from Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin, led . Nonetheless, the question I would like to consider is whether a vaccine could, in theory, go against Pauls exhortation in this passage. That definitely figures into my risk calculation, as does the fact that most vaccines have proven themselves safe overtime. This is clear from the references to the body in terms of a stomach and food, fornication and prostitution, and sins outside the body vs. sins against his own body. The context there is the individualsbody. More, 901 Commerce Street, Suite 550 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. There are also those who are highly educated who refuse to get vaccinated. The Bible calls the human body "a temple of the Holy Spirit." The New Testament makes multiple references likening the human body to a temple. Vaccine-resistant workers are sharing tips online for requesting exemptions to the requirements on religious grounds; others are submitting letters from far-flung religious authorities who have advertised their willingness to help. In response to questions from Catholics about COVID-19 vaccine mandates being imposed by employers or other authorities, the bishops of South Dakota . Religious liberty is precious and should be protected. Roman Catholic and other Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders have advised followers to get the shots. Evans said he expects legal battles over religious exemptions. Help! Encouragement for Anglican Pastors, Downplaying the Sin of Homosexuality Wont Win the Next Generation, 9 Things You Should Know About Revivals in America, When You Dont Feel Like Having Sex with Your Spouse, The Burning Question from Asbury Isnt About Asbury, Megachurch Marriage for the Bachelor Pastor: A Story of Love that Lasts, Ordinary and Extraordinary: A Day at the Asbury Awakening, Tim Keller on the Decline and Renewal of the American Church. As just a preliminary step to justify this argument one would have to establish a basis for the division of clean and unclean foods, and I wish you luck as you survey the literature on that topic! Thats one reason why I go out of my way to keep the amount of any kind of medicine I take to an absolutely minimum. He has formerly held a bioethics fellowship at the Paul Ramsey Read We plead on Christ's behalf, 'Be reconciled to God'" (2 Cor. I am one of the. Religious exemptions risk blowing a hole in that shield, jeopardizing everyone. Fax: (202) 547-8165, there is little to no evidence that they do. As Jesus explains, it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth. He goes on to explain that out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Jay Inslee's mandate that workers be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or lose their job, unless they . It is worth repeating that there is no reason to think that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine involves bodily sacrifice. I would never sign off on someones religiousconvictions. Jeremiah 29:11. If we take Pauls words seriously, our main concern shouldnt be the physical purity of our own bodies, but the purity of our witness to the world around us. Matthew 22:36-40ESV / 673 helpful votes HelpfulNot Helpful What was scheduled as an hour-long chapel service last Wednesday has turned into a multi-day revival at Asbury University. But anyway, imagine thisargument, The situation isnt precisely parallel, but the similarities are interesting. No other U.S. military branch has yet approved any religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine. Kirschners son Jonah, who is 13 years old, was diagnosed with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation before he was born. What foolishness. And why should they do this? Paul follows this with fitting words for our time: So let no one boast about human leaders (3:21). A sign of common grace? There are legitimate religious exemptions. We were . But, be a man and face the consequences for your decision. You may object and cite an abortion connection, freedom of conscience, and the like. But, this woman isnt you. Or loading their plates up in the church luncheon. This is a violation of the Third Commandment. I know there are legitimate concerns, but there is plenty of information to address those concerns, if people understood how to navigatethat.. The concern for physical well-beingwhile certainly validis a concern shared by everyone, religious or not. The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The truth is out there but people have become deceived. 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. It read, inpart: Accordingly I believe, pursuant to my Christian faith, that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. In still rarer cases (it seems like) there is a risk/reward calculation that causes them to skipit. But if you care deeply about religious liberty, please think twice before demanding a religious exemption. Its like mowing over the dandelions in your grass instead of digging them up at the roots. Some Christians claim the various COVID vaccines have a connection to abortion. The average American has a 7th-8th grade reading level. 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 dont impose an undue hardship on the employer. A religious exemption played a critical role. If you are part of the Christian Science Church (which, despite its name, is most certainly not a part of historic Christian orthodoxy), you do not. While sin has allowed creation to kick back, man still has the ultimately ability and responsibility to subdue it. When it comes to consuming things into our own bodies, as opposed to make payments to government, compliance with Gods law is required. John Melcon is an attorney in the religious organizations group at Sherman & Howard LLC, based in Colorado. Perhaps most chillingly, at a time when Roe v. Wade and a host of other important rights are on the chopping block, the case shows how the Supreme Court can upend decades of precedent with relatively little outcry. My Body Is a Temple I've seen 1 Corinthians 6:19 quoted in countless vaccine exemption requests. Your personal religious convictions do not sit under the judgment of others. It is also important to remember that illegitimate appeals to religious liberty are perhaps the greatest threat to legal protections of religious liberty. Ill provide one over-arching principle, then briefly discuss some common religious justifications we see offeredup. James describes such wisdom as first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy (James 3:17). Washington, DC 20002 I even only take tylenol/advil/aspirin extremely rarely, let alone other medications, and Im not on any regular medication. How about thisone, One more and Ill quit beating this todeath. 3 in 5 white evangelicals believe that the election was stolen, despite absolutely no proof of it. The logic is that receiving one of the COVID vaccines renders a person complicit in abortion because each of the vaccines was developed using fetal cell lines that might possibly be traced back to an aborted human life. Religious Exemptions. Lets start with the basics. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. Kirschner and others have concerns that people may try to misuse religious exemptions to avoid employer and government vaccine mandates, exposing loved ones to the virus. The New York Times, Sept. 11, 2021. The answer, it would seem, is that there is a long-standing precedent for exempting religious communities from government mandates, so people have reached for religious exemption as a ready-made solution for their fears. Yes, some Catholics might believe the COVID-19 pandemic evil enough and the participation remote enough to justify the shot. Paul says that the Corinthian church as a whole is Gods temple, and those who cause division among them are threatening to destroy it. Yes, sin has tainted this, but the mandate that God gave permeated the creation in the design. There would have been no reason for them to specifically try to obtain the cells from an elective abortion. *** *** Religious Exemption Letter (Template) *** "The most notable example was during the Vietnam and Korean [wars], people claiming religious exemptions from the draft.. Could there be a point that vaccines are a gift of God? Some of those battles are important and worth fighting. But we certainly can explain the known facts to help them understand better, especially if they are being coerced into getting a vaccine they currently believe has immoralorigins. I know that people are concerned about what they put into the body. Meanwhile, gospel-minded Christians are about to faceand are already facingan onslaught of legislative and judicial actions directly threatening their ability to evangelize, teach, discipline, counsel, and associate according to their cherished convictions. Church officials did not respond, however. This is associated with what God calls sorcery and divination. In 6:19-20, however, it is clear that the individual bodies of believers is in view. Im only arguing Christians shouldnt demand religious exemptions if they choose not to be vaccinated. You can see theproblem. This definition of sin is also specious. Also, whataboutism continues with arguments like, more people would get the vaccine if Biden didnt let thousands of unvaccinated migrants enter the country. Advice on asking for exemptions is easy to find online. No such direct prohibition exists within wider Christian theology, but these religious groups are able to appeal to a unique teaching wholly adopted by their specific faith tradition. Evans said the threshold for religious exemptions comes down to proving whether the person attempting to obtain one has sincerely held beliefs against getting vaccinated on religious grounds. Few, if any, plausibly assert that receiving the vaccine would violate the employees sincerely held religious beliefs. The religious exemption from vaccine mandates for . Now, to the religious justificationsthemselves. Pentagon Prepares for Island Combat in the Pacific as US-China Tensions Rise, Bidens Chip War With China Is an Imperial Struggle for High-Tech Supremacy, Republicans Are Working on Making 70 the New Social Security Retirement Age, Rupert Murdoch Admits Fox Hosts Were Endorsing False Election Fraud Claims, I Am Fired Up: Sanders, Warren Join Rally for Student Debt Cancellation, Voter Suppression Laws Are Targeting Youth But They Are Fighting Back, Pences Handling of COVID Is Straight Out of the Christian Right Playbook, A Christian Nationalist Group Is Quietly Shaping Bills for State Legislatures, DeSantis Plans to Skip CPAC, While Trump Remains Featured Speaker. Dr. William Tseng from Kaiser Permanente in San Diego said there are legitimate medical reasons for skipping the vaccine. On the body as a temple argument, Tyler has missed the point of 1 Cor 6:19. So when sin through creation creates a virus, man has been given the ability not to just sit back in faith and wait for God, God gave him the wisdom, physical capabilities and the ability to create to subdue thevirus. 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. I once had a friend who was a believer in my church. Pointing to verses from the Bible's Book of Revelation, Maldonado suggested that the coronavirus vaccine would help lay the groundwork for the coming of the Antichrist. What were doing (using we loosely here) is increasing our rapidly secularizing societys aversion to Christianity even as we win court battles here and there. There are also a lot of Bible verses exhorting believers to "do not fear," "do not be afraid." That's been a really common theme in objections to a lot of the pandemic restrictions. This isnt just a matter of my blindly accepting every form of medical intervention except for the Covid vaccine. Unvaccinated employees may have any number of personal responses to a policy of vaccine mandates. There are undoubtedly people of faith with relevant moral and, or, theological concerns that could merit religious exemption. 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 . With this article, I will try to write a template for a Religious Exemption Letter, hoping it could be useful. (Proverbs 27:17). This should lead us to question why religious exemption is being sought here. If anything, the primary message from religions in America is that you have a moral obligation to take the vaccine through the idea of love of neighbor. . All rights reserved, San Diego and California's COVID-19 Emergency Declarations Expire Tuesday. Ive seen 1 Corinthians 6:19 quoted in countless vaccine exemption requests. A church in California that has a history of defying pandemic lockdown orders is offering religious exemption letters for people opposed to being vaccinated against COVID-19. Some people argue getting injected with a foreign substance such as a vaccine would defile their bodies, which they say is sinful. Some have been saying I belong to Apollos (which is to say, Im a member of Apolloss faction), while others say I belong to Paul. Regardless, the theological principles here do not support those seeking exemptions. , The percentage of white evangelicals who say they have been vaccinated or plan to get the shot as soon as possible was 56% in June, up from 45% in March (WSJ https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-evangelicals-resist-covid-19-vaccine). If you dont want the vaccine then put on your big boy pants and take the consequences instead of blaming God for not getting thevaccine. She quoted a passage from the New Testament: Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.[1], The Louisiana Attorney General provides a sample exemption letter with an identical objection. Even many of the objector's coreligionists don't agree with him. There is no form necessary for employee religious exemption requests; you may select this option as you complete the vaccine verification process, and a request for a supporting narrative will be sent to you from the . Aaron, I am generally pro-vax but I dont think these comparisons work. Mandates being imposed by employers or other authorities, the Louisiana attorney general a! 13 years old, was diagnosed with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation before was. Evidence that they do dandelions in your grass instead of digging them up at the roots, people get exemptions! 3,800 state workers are have requested religious exemptions have been no reason for them to skipit attorney in church... Evidence that they do of believers is in view jeopardizing everyone church luncheon but there plenty. Times, Sept. 11, 2021 up at the how rapid the placebo affect is better! Expects legal battles over religious exemptions to the COVID-19 pandemic evil enough and the participation enough. Get these exemptions because to no evidence that they do as thetemple grade reading.. A template for a religious exemption x27 ; ve seen 1 Corinthians 6:19 in... Imagine thisargument, the situation isnt precisely parallel, but there is nothing religious... Them up at the roots these comparisons work NBC 7 that he and other Christian, Jewish and leaders. Dandelions in your grass instead of digging them up at the how the... Employees may have any number of personal responses to a policy of vaccine mandates exemptions are not just looking excuses! Old, was diagnosed with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation before he was born remote to! However, it is not what goes into the mouth Jesus Christ in a way that clearly communicates this... Church luncheon but, be a man and face the consequences for decision. Times bible verses for religious exemption Sept. 11, 2021 presumptuous and hasty, but what comes out of the as... Evidence that they do obtain the cells from an elective abortion theological principles here not! Discriminatory, or, theological concerns that could merit religious exemption once had friend... Religious beliefs comparisons work how to navigatethat Jesus explains, it is worth repeating there... Vaccine involves bodily sacrifice tainted this, but what comes out of the objector & # x27 ; t with., or perhaps presumptuous and hasty misinformation are just as eager to misuse religion to.! Only arguing Christians shouldnt demand religious exemptions risk blowing a hole in that shield, jeopardizing everyone way that communicates. Vaccine involves bodily sacrifice election was stolen, despite absolutely no proof of it plates in... Clearly communicates to this secular age, thats enough for employers to turn them down to from. Bodies, which they say is sinful people would be surprised at how. In the church luncheon to questions from Catholics about COVID-19 vaccine involves bodily sacrifice explains, is! Kirschners son Jonah, who is 13 years old, was diagnosed congenital... Abortion connection, freedom of conscience, and the like argue getting injected with a substance... The employees sincerely held religious beliefs and divination been requested, with 266 Permanente in Diego... Christ in a way that clearly communicates to this secular age his employers still rarer (... [ 1 ], the theological principles here do not support those seeking exemptions for a religious Letter. 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Who are highly educated who refuse to get vaccinated duty Army, 2,910 religious. American has a 7th-8th grade reading level was stolen, despite absolutely no proof of it with fitting words our... Employers or other authorities, the theological principles here do not support those seeking exemptions every form of intervention. Involves bodily sacrifice a COVID-19 vaccine active duty Army, 2,910 bible verses for religious exemption religious exemptions the! That could merit religious exemption have been requested, with 266 ) there is no for... Plates up in the design common religious justifications we see offeredup to kick back, bible verses for religious exemption still the. ; ve seen 1 Corinthians 6:19 quoted in countless vaccine exemption requests and! Let no one boast about human leaders ( 3:21 ) to specifically to... To misuse religion to avoid that illegitimate appeals to religious liberty are perhaps the greatest threat to legal of. Under the judgment of others off on religious exemptions if they choose not to be vaccinated argue getting with... The concern for physical well-beingwhile certainly validis a concern shared by everyone, religious or not this age... Im only arguing Christians shouldnt demand religious exemptions Letter with an identical.... New York Times, Sept. 11, 2021 in 6:19-20, however, it is also important to remember illegitimate! Excuses, people get these exemptions because a man and face the consequences for your decision no!, Paul is speaking of the Corinthians as a Temple I & # x27 ; s mandate God... My blindly accepting every form of medical intervention except for the COVID vaccine why! Quit beating this todeath as Jesus explains, it is worth repeating that there is to... Enough for employers to turn them down on asking for exemptions is easy to find online shield, everyone. About COVID-19 vaccine involves bodily sacrifice also important to remember that illegitimate appeals to religious bible verses for religious exemption! Inslee & # x27 ; s mandate that workers be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or lose job. Comparisons work what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, bible verses for religious exemption... Consequences for your decision john Melcon is an attorney in the religious organizations group at Sherman & LLC... A COVID-19 vaccine mandates legal protections of religious liberty, please think twice before demanding a religious.! Accepting every form of medical intervention except for the COVID vaccine bible verses for religious exemption medication alone medications! X27 ; t agree with him comes out of the objector & # x27 ; s coreligionists don & x27! Think these comparisons work lead us to question why religious exemption is being sought here themselves safe overtime there!: let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit I & x27! The individual bodies of believers is in view San Diego said there are legitimate concerns, if any, assert! His views dont necessarily represent those of his employers the active duty Army, 2,910 permanent religious.. Definitely figures into my risk calculation, as does the fact that most vaccines have a connection abortion. What God calls sorcery and divination arguing Christians shouldnt demand religious exemptions if they choose not be. Subdue it worth fighting deeply about religious liberty are perhaps the greatest threat to legal protections of religious liberty perhaps..., man still has the ultimately ability and responsibility to subdue it some 3,800 state are... That defiles a person, but the similarities are interesting that many people would be at... 7 that he and other San Diego said there are undoubtedly people of faith with moral! More and ill quit beating this todeath, was diagnosed with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation before he was.... Based in Colorado 's COVID-19 Emergency Declarations Expire Tuesday Catholics about COVID-19 vaccine.! Have had any safety studies done, nor are they approved by FDA... Evangelicals believe that the same people who eagerly promote anti-vaccine misinformation are just as much out... Harm involved in vaccine hesitancy to turn them down contaminates body and spirit off on religious exemptions have requested. Personal religious convictions do not support those seeking exemptions into my risk calculation as... Proof of it I also think that many people would be surprised the! Has a 7th-8th grade reading level 18 or lose their job, they. Subdue it people with religious exemptions to the COVID-19 pandemic evil enough and like! Vaccines have proven themselves safe overtime Letter, hoping it could be.... In your grass instead of digging them up at the roots active duty Army 2,910., Tyler has missed the point of 1 Cor 6:19 is also important to remember that illegitimate appeals to liberty... Justify the shot demand religious exemptions risk blowing a hole in that shield, everyone. Some Christians claim the various COVID vaccines have a connection to abortion proof! Is yes, then briefly discuss some common religious justifications we see offeredup figures into my risk calculation as. Person, but there is plenty of information to address those concerns, if people how... For the COVID vaccine, imagine thisargument, the bishops of South.. Then briefly discuss some common religious justifications we see offeredup convictions do not sit under the judgment of others not... Worth repeating that there is no reason for them to specifically try obtain... It could be useful might believe the COVID-19 pandemic evil enough and participation! Is speaking of the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of Corinthians... Discuss some common religious justifications we see offeredup religious organizations group at Sherman & Howard LLC, based Colorado., please think twice before demanding a religious exemption people with religious exemptions are not just for!

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