A Local Church Guide to Religious Exemptions

Religious Exemptions

A Local Church Guide

The following was provided to Reason Together as an example of how a local church can provide guidance related to mandated vaccines.

Scriptural Guidelines for Medical Decisions for those identified with the Doctrine, Practice and Beliefs of Willow Grove Independent Baptist Church.

Willow Grove Independent Baptist Church derives its doctrine, practice and beliefs from a literal, contextual, grammatical and historical interpretation of the Bible.[1] Based upon our understanding of Scripture, these scriptural guidelines have been developed in order to guide those who identify with these biblical doctrines, practices and beliefs in making medical decisions that may be in conflict with their deeply held religious beliefs.

1. We are convinced that the Bible teaches that life begins at conception[2] and that the taking of innocent life is sinful.[3] Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that one who holds this deep religious belief[4] would object to the use of any medical treatment that was developed, tested, or directly utilizes any part of a directly aborted fetus.

In regard to the COVID-19 vaccine, it is well documented that directly aborted fetuses were utilized in the development of the vaccines in one or more of the manners listed in the above statement. Therefore, the COVID-19 vaccines may be refused by those who hold to this deeply held religious belief concerning the sanctity of life.

[1] PART II – Article of Faith – (A) The Holy Scriptures - d. Interpretation – We believe that each believer has the right and responsibility to study and interpret the Scriptures. However, we believe that the precise study of the Scriptures should be guided by scriptural boundaries of interpretation. We believe that the study of the Scriptures should be done literally, dispensationally and contextually within the boundaries of grammar and history.

[2] Psalm 139:13-16 “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

[3] Deuteronomy 19:10 “That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.”

[4] PART II – Article of Faith – (S) Abortion – We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of an unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16a; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1,5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

2. We are convinced that the Bible teaches that those who have been saved by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are bought with a price and are owned, body and spirit, by the Lord Himself.[1] As such we believe that our bodies are the Temple in which the Holy Spirit abides and that we are but stewards who will give an account of what we do with the stewardship of our bodies.[2] Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that one who holds this deep religious belief would object to the use of any medical treatment that might impose a risk to one’s health or body.

In regard to the COVID-19 vaccine, it has been observed that those who have received the vaccine can still transmit and be infected with the COVID-19 virus or its variants. It has also been observed that those who receive the vaccine can experience side effects, some being quite severe and long-lasting, including death. Also, it is too early to determine, with any validity, the long-term effects that the new COVID-19 vaccine may have on those who receive it. Furthermore, in cases where one has already had the virus and has natural immunity, taking the vaccine would represent taking an unnecessary risk. Therefore, the COVID-19 vaccines may be refused by those who hold to this deeply held religious belief concerning the stewardship of their bodies and who are deeply concerned with the effect of the vaccine in both the short and long-term.

[1] 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “What? 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? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

[2] 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

3. We are convinced that the Bible teaches that God has created man with a conscience that is capable of discerning right from wrong.[1] We also believe that God has given to man the ability and responsibility to exercise his conscience in making decisions, even if they are wrong.[2] Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that one holding this deep religious belief concerning the ability to make decisions relating to his/her health would refuse a mandate forcing them to violate their God-given conscience concerning the first two points above.

In regard to the COVID-19 vaccine, the mandates to take the vaccine, without reasonable exemptions, alternatives and/or accommodations for those who do not desire the vaccine based upon deeply held religious beliefs is an infringement upon their God-given right to exercise their moral conscience as taught in the Scriptures and as protected by the Constitution of the United States of America. Therefore, the mandating of the COVID-19 vaccines may be refused by those who hold to this deeply held religious belief concerning the liberty of conscience.

[1] Romans 2:14-16 “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

[2] In Genesis 2-3, God commanded Adam not to eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. In this commandment, God gave Adam the ability and accountability to choose, even if he chooses wrongly (and he did!).