Below are several examples of religious exemptions and some information that may assist you in refusing vaccinations for yourself and your children from a religious or philosophical standpoint. You may also want to check out the Religious and Philosophical Exemption Worksheet for some additional guidelines.

Name

Address

Phone

Religious Exemptions Regarding Vaccinations Concerning:

Name

 

In accordance with (your state's law reference), we hereby certify that the administration of vaccine and other immunizing agents to our child,____________________, conflicts with our sincerely held religious beliefs. We therefore require that our child be exempted from the school immunization requirements in accordance with the exemption clause found in the above mentioned section of our state's Administrative Code.

We are informed of and we fully understand the risks of non-immunization for our child. We swear that all of the foregoing statements are true to the best of our information, knowledge, and belief.

Parent ________________________ Date _________

Parent ________________________ Date _________

Subscribed and Sworn before me this _____ day of ___________, 19____.

_______________________

Notary's Signature and Seal

 

(Location of your state's law concerning vaccination)

(Include the actual wording of your state law as contained on their web site. Those who will argue with you about the law are generally ignorant of the exact wording of the law.)

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

BE IT KNOWN, BASED UPON THE TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE, IT IS OUR RELIGIOUS CONVICTION NOT TO HAVE OUR CHILDREN VACCINATED.

Public Law 97-280, passed by the 97th Congress of the United States of America, declares the Bible to Be the "Word of God" and directs citizens to "study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures. "The Bible teaches that the truthfulness of an issue is to be sought and should stand on no less than two or more witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). A diligent search for truth on the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations reveals there are many studied, informed and qualified witnesses who have found and teach that there are serious health risks involved with vaccinations. Even Senate Bill 732 before the 103rd Congress of the United States known as the "Comprehensive Child Health Immunization Act of 1993", made known the fact that there are risks to vaccines. The following words are from that bill: Vaccine information materials should be simplified to ensure that parents can understand the benefits and risks of vaccines (emphasis added).

THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO SUBJECT OUR CHILDREN TO THE RISKS OF VACCINATION. TO DO ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE AND SINFUL TO US AS CHRISTIAN PARENTS.

The Bible teaches that there are clean and unclean animals and acts, and that God's people are not to do the unclean. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that we shall keep the blood pure, and keep the seed from being mixed.Obviously, when genetic materials from bacteria, viruses, yeast, animals, birds, and other humans are injected into us and our children during routine vaccination, the blood gets contaminated, and genetic changes occur. These changes, according to reputable scientists, can even lead to cancers. God warned not to do this.

THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO HAVE OUR CHILDREN VACCINATED. TO DO SO WOULD BE TO VIOLATE THESE TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE.

The Bible teaches that we are not to harm or wrong our neighbor (Romans 13:10: James 2:8). Our decision to decline vaccinations does not wrong or threaten our neighbor. If vaccinations are truly effective then vaccinated neighbors would be in no danger from someone who is not vaccinated.

THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN OUR DECISION TO NOT HAVE OUR CHILDREN VACCINATED DOES NOT ENDANGER OR HARM OUR NEIGHBOR AND THUS OUR NEIGHBOR HAS NO JUST CAUSE TO EVER TRY TO FORCE VACCINATIONS UPON OUR CHILDREN.

The Bible teaches children are a gift from God to the parents (Psalm 127:3) and further teaches the parents (not the state) are entrusted with the care and welfare of the child (I Timothy 5:8). The Bible also teaches there have been times in history when evil government, and government employees, have attempted through force, intimidation, color of law to harm and destroy the children of God's people (Exodus I and 2 and Matthew 2).

THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN TO DO OUR GOD GIVEN DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT AND DEFEND OUR CHILDREN FROM ANY SUCH FORCE OR INDIVIDUALS BENT UPON SUBJECTING OUR CHILDREN TO THE RISKS OF VACCINES.

The Bible teaches that when man's law contradicts God's Law, His people must obey God over men. But Peter and the apostles answered and said, '"We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29) There is much Bible Case Law in support of this position such as Daniel Vs Darius (Daniel 6) and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Vs Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:13). Concerning the safety of children, both the Hebrew midwives (Exodus 1) and the parents of Moses (Exodus 2) refused to obey the law of man that put the children in peril. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. (Hebrew 11:23)

THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN SHOULD ANY POLICY, EDICT, OR LEGISLATION OF MAN DECREE OUR CHILDREN MUST BE VACCINATED, WE MUST AND WILL OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MAN, AND AS MOSES' PARENTS OF OLD, WE WILL DO SO WITHOUT FEAR.

The Bible teaches that God's people are to be humble, peaceful and desirous of a tranquil and quiet life (I Timothy 2:2) and to do all they can to be at peace with others. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18) However, the Bible also teaches that if and when anyone (be it Indians in the 1800's or government bureaucrats in the 1900's) attempts to harm or to take one's children or family members, one must respond appropriately. In the case of the Bible story of Abraham's nephew Lot

being taken by kings men, there were very severe consequences incurred by them. (Genesis 14 and Romans 15:4)

THEREFORE, BE IT KNOWN THAT WE DESIRE TO BE AT PEACE WITH THOSE WHO MAY FEEL, OR THINK, DIFFERENTLY THAN WE ON THIS ISSUE OF VACCINATIONS. THAT IS WHY WE HUMBLY EXPLAIN OUR CHOICE TO ABSTAIN. LET IT ALSO BE KNOWN THAT IF ANYONE EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ATTEMPTS TO FORCE VACCINATIONS UPON US OR OUR CHILDREN, OR ATTEMPTS TO TAKE THEM, OR ANY FAMILY MEMBER WHO DEFENDS THEM, AWAY, THEN WE WILL DEFEND OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF GOD'S LAWS.

Humbly and peacefully submitted with obedience to, and trust in, the Holy Bible.

_____________________________________

Our legal rights are guaranteed by the free exercise clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. States can only go against this if they can prove a compelling state interest is at stake. But recent court decisions have upheld the rights of individuals seeking exemptions from immunizations based upon "personal" religious beliefs. [Sherr and Levy vs. Northport East-Northport Union Free School District, 672 F. Supp. 81, (E.D.N.Y., 1987); Allanson vs. Clinton Central School District, U.S.. District Court, Northern District Court, Northern District of New York (84 CV 174), 1984; Campain vs. Marlboro Central School District, Supreme Court Ulster County Special Term, November 15, 1985; Brown vs. City School District, 429 NYS2d 355; Maier vs. Besser, 73 Misc.2d 241].

On the U.S. Supreme Court level in Frazee v. Illinois Dept. of Security, 489 U.S. 829, 1989, it was found that a state may not deny an exemption simply because a person is not a member of a formal religious organization. In addition, the Supreme Court has noted that nontraditional beliefs, including secular humanism, atheism, and nontheistic faiths, are all "religion" for the purpose of free exercise analysis. The Supreme Court in Fowler v. Rhode Island, 345 U.S. 67 (1953) held that it was "no business of the courts to say what is a religious practice or activity for one group is not religion under the protection of the First Amendment."

Still not sure about whether you qualify for a religious exemption? Check out the Religious and Philosophical Exemption Worksheet. This form can help you through a series of questions to determine whether you meet the guidelines laid out by the US Supreme Court.

Our faith is in God and in the Holy Bible which is authored by God. This is the instruction book for living that He has left us and in it He tells us He is our protector and we stand firm on His promise. Our faith is in Him!

"And hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (Mark 2:17)

"Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own?" (I Corinthians 6:19)

"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (I Corinthians 2:5)

"You must know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is within the spirit you have received from God. You are not your own." (I Corinthians 6:19)

"As a consequence, your faith rests not on the wisdom of men but on the power of God." (I Corinthians 2:5)

"I know with certainly on the authority of Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself: it is only when a man thinks something unclean that it becomes so for him." (Romans 14:14)

"If anyone destroys Gods temple, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, and you are that temple." (I Corinthians 3:17)

"For to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways." (Psalms 91:11)

"Follow God your Lord, remain in awe of him, keep His commandments, obey and serve Him and you will then be able to cling to Him." (Leviticus 19:1,2)

"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7)

Complied by Kathryn E. Rateliff, CCD, CCCE, CCM, GSM

Updated Oct., 2004

 

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Want to know more about the issue of vaccine choice?

Titus 2 Birthing has a booklet that looks at some of the issues regarding vaccine choice. This booklet includes : vaccine safety, disease frequency in the US, Vaccine Refusal Form, exemption information, religious concerns about vaccines, immunization registry information, vaccinations and premature babies, vaccines and immune supression, toxic chemical in vaccines as of Sept 2004, the use of aborted fetal tissue as a vaccine medium, vaccination and US goverment policy in the armed forces and in Homeland Security, the rise of autism and other learning disabilities which may be attributable to vaccine damage, genetically engineered foods containing vaccines, the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons policy on mandatory vaccines, what is informed consent and informed refusal, how vaccines are sold and how vaccine policy is decided and additional resources.

If you are interested in getting a copy of this packet, contact Kathy and she will be glad give you all of the details. Please note there is a charge for this booklet.

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