This verse (1021) was written by Moses to warn God's people to stay away from some prohibited religious practices. Likewise, putting out a fire on ones body is obviously helpful to ones temple. Injecting something into your body that you dont fully understand is a different case. (Proverbs 27:17). Another popular search during the pandemic was Jeremiah 29:11, which says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm . In Washington the process to receive a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine is determined by the individual human resources department of the agency, school district or health care facility. 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. 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. Youth voting blocs are so powerful that most schools have enough students to easily tip an election in key states. I would never sign off on someones religiousconvictions. 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. We know they have a therapeutic affect. Tandon v. Newsom didn't center on a traditionally hot-button issue like abortion or LGBTQ rights; it focused on COVID-19. Vaccines to me are unclean. 8 Liberty Counsel, Sample Exemption p.1. A gift of any size makes a difference and helps keep this unique platform alive. Current employees may initiate a religious exemption request within the vaccination verification system. People misuse Gods name for all sorts of sins. What should Christians think about them? He was a very intelligent man who nevertheless was poorly educated. 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. If you found the piece above useful, informative, or inspiring, please consider supporting Truthout with a tax-deductible donation. I think that is where their argument would breakdown. God didnt just order us to subdue the earth. This is associated with what God calls sorcery and divination. On the body as a temple argument, Tyler has missed the point of 1 Cor 6:19. The Christian right filed a barrage of cases. You get it. This is absurd. But these cell lines were isolated from two fetuses from the Netherlands in 1973 and 1985 and then replicated over decades, and are commonly used to create and test other medications as well. He also works in State government. Its a shortsighted strategy that will end up fueling government overreach, not curtailing it. If they are legal, they have been processed at the border, given a court date and potentially released into the US. 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. We take pharmaceuticals (over the counter or prescription) all the time without pulling the temple of God card, and we have no idea what is in them that makes them work. Is mandatory COVID-19 vaccination ethical? The temple of God objection is not a matter of conscience, itscowardice. Here are nine things you should know about revival and the history of revivals in America. Similarly, if physical cleanliness was in view, then surely the COVID-19 virus itself would do at least as much to contaminate ones body. But did God really saythat? 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. My Body Is a Temple I've seen 1 Corinthians 6:19 quoted in countless vaccine exemption requests. Paul follows this with fitting words for our time: So let no one boast about human leaders (3:21). A group called One Washington is holding seminars around the state to instruct people on how to ask for a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine. None of these drugs have had any safety studies done, nor are they approved by the FDA. "The flu would most likely require hospitalization and COVID. Now he is discussing specific sinful habits that are causing division among the Corinthians. While 1 Cor 3 is the church corporately, 1 Cor 6 is quite clear the individuals body. Phone: (202) 547-8105 Im not claiming religious or conspiracy reasons, and Im not considering them as part of mycalculation. Amos 1:13, 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, their Creator, in . Spreading the Word of God: A Guide for Religious Exemption to Immunization with Biblical Scripture Reference Paperback - January 14, 2020 by Tiffany A T Guay (Author) 4.6 out of 5 stars 33 ratings 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. Advice on asking for exemptions is easy to find online. What has your faith community said? 3 Health Freedom Idaho, Sample Letter for Religious Vaccine Exemption, https://healthfreedomidaho.org/sample-letter-for-religious-vaccine-exemption/. The author provides no justification about why the vaccine violates his conscience. Jeffrey Denny. 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. In this type of situation, they would claim the requirements violate their religious beliefs and seek formal religious exemptions. AR-15-style weapons have been used in some of the deadliest shootings in modern U.S. history. Reasons for refusal are wide-ranging, with some based on credible concerns and others being much more subjective. Second, a misunderstanding of religious liberty and religious conscience exemptions. Get your FREE eBook about deconstruction: 'Before You Lose Your Faith'. And why should they do this? 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.. In still rarer cases (it seems like) there is a risk/reward calculation that causes them to skipit. 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]. As has been already mentioned, we ingest all sorts of unhealthy foods and beverages without blinking an eye. Setting aside the exegetical issues with this objection, it simply isnt enough to merit a religious exemption under our existing legal framework. I have never seen an interpreter who has argued that 1 Cor. With this article, I will try to write a template for a Religious Exemption Letter, hoping it could be useful. There is nothing distinctly religious about the fear of bodily harm involved in vaccine hesitancy. This should give Christians pause. Second if the immigrant has entered the US, has lawful entry, but does not have a right to work yet as they are waiting for their immigration status to be updated, than they along with every other US citizen who is not employed are not required to be vaccinated. 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. Some of us definitely are making a calculation as to risk/reward. This vaccine has only been in existence a short time, and even if you think theres almost no chance it could have long term effects, you have no proof of that, and neither does anyone else. Some Christians claim the various COVID vaccines have a connection to abortion. Now we come to religious exemptions for vaccines. 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). I think it is 44% of white evangelicals have stated that they will not get thevaccine. Why imperil the vitality of religious exemptions when theyre about to be needed most? Seeking a religious exemption should very clearly rest on apparent and applicable religious beliefs. But we must stop government intrusion now, some will say. One way to be introspective here is to consider whether you were already against the vaccine before you learned about the abortionnexus. Even so, too much inconsistent behavior justifies questioning whether a persons stated beliefs are sincerely held. So, you and your family are going to risk unnecessary hospitalization and death because Juan Pablo crossed the border without getting a vaccine? Religious freedom is an exceedingly important value, and it is a constitutional right recognized in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. And it reflects differently on a population than reality does. I care deeply about religious liberty. There are also those who are highly educated who refuse to get vaccinated. 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. 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. A seatbelt and a life preserver are worn on the outside of the body and are visible. Commentators cited Murdoch's deposition as evidence that the network couldn't be trusted to report the facts. As governments and businesses implement COVID-19 vaccine mandates, increasing numbers of people are seeking exemption on religious grounds. Before you say, he doesnt need to; just trust the experts, how does he know which ones to believe when the internet is telling him that many experts think itsharmful? As iron sharpens iron, So chemically we know that it impacts these levels in a lab. If you are a cancer patient, sometimes you are not to receive vaccines people who are allergic to any component of the vaccine, Tseng said. 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. Dr. William Tseng from Kaiser Permanente in San Diego said there are legitimate medical reasons for skipping the vaccine. Read That word has content. But, he must also treat it with respect and care forit. What Does the LGBT-Discrimination Decision Mean for Religious Employers? 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. Rabbi Abraham J. Heschel said true prophets dont allow for indifference and scream in the night against oppression. Why pregnancy care centers must answer the telehealth trend of abortion providers, Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, the decline of global democracy, and the Ahmaud Arbery federal murder trial, The SBC sexual abuse assessment moves forward, a likely Russian invasion, and the pandemic slowing, War in Ukraine, Ministry Check website, and more Executive Committee news. Since then, the Christian right has been trying to do away with Smith in order to win ever-broader exemptions from laws that apply to everyone else. The Bible tells us that we are responsible for where our children go in life (Proverbs 22:6). Ill provide one over-arching principle, then briefly discuss some common religious justifications we see offeredup. Get the news you want, delivered to your inbox every day. If anyone destroys Gods temple, God will destroy that person (3:16-17). He has formerly held a bioethics fellowship at the Paul Ramsey Read Why do people keep missing this? Agree that if we want to preach body is a temple, the text is 1 Cor. Im only arguing Christians shouldnt demand religious exemptions if they choose not to be vaccinated. There is a scriptural case to be made for not taking this vaccine. Vaccine mandates have arrived, and so have questions about religious exemptions. Just last month, Bishop Robert McElory issued a letter to San Diego priests asking them to decline any requests for religious exemptions to vaccines. Even some who are knowledgeable about vaccines. I think this disinformation that is just exploding is a precursor to what is coming for the church. We dont know chemically how they impact a human, but we can see behavorially that they have an impact. Why not? 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.. I think many people would be surprised that pharmacies still do compounding when directed by a doctor. Some people argue getting injected with a foreign substance such as a vaccine would defile their bodies, which they say is sinful. by John Brummett | September 15, 2021 at 3:17 a.m. 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. Are also those who are highly educated who refuse to get vaccinated stated that they have impact. Up fueling government overreach, not curtailing it Murdoch 's deposition as evidence that network. 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