what happens?

[rainashine]

Okay, I'm sure this is naive, but what happens if you don't vax or don't fully vax and "they" don't accept your religious exemption or you don't feel as if you can justify your reasons to not vax with your religion? Obviously not in WV or Mississippi as they can call cps but can they really legally not allow your child a public education? If they would not allow your child in school wouldn't they be obligated to provide you child with an education regardless?

We don't live in a philosophical exemption state. My dh is a youth pastor for a denomination that has no stance on vaccinations and he is uncomfortable signing a form saying it is for religious reasons. We are opposed to the use of fetal tissue for religious reasons but that seems to not qualify (I think that's stupid btw). There are some vaccines that dd will just NOT be getting. I would prefer to homeschool but at this point in time (admittedly we have awhile before we need to worry about that) I have to work so that's not an option.

[kiara7]

You have to be opposed to the practice of vaccination (fetal tissue would be a philosophical reason). You also don't have to be a member of any church to file a religious exemption. You could worship a bag of SunChips and no one can question your beliefs (also NY and NJ try). Religious beliefs are constitutionally protected regardless of what, where and when you believe.

[rainashine]

Okay I get that. But we ARE members of an organized religion that does not oppose the practice of vaccination. Dh works there. He is uncomfortable filing a religious exemption because he feels it is lying. Regardless, dd is not getting some vaccines. What happens then?

[Fyrestorm]

Doesn't matter..people of the same faith can interpret the scripture in a way that is different from the church they belong to. Just because you belong to a church that does not in doctrine oppose vaccination does not mean that you can't read the scripture for yourself and interpret it vin a different way that leads you to be opposed to the practice of vaccination.

For example - Some Catholics use birth control, some Jewish people eat pork, Some Mormons practice plural marriage etc.

[Fyrestorm]

Originally Posted by rainashine

He is uncomfortable filing a religious exemption because he feels it is lying.

I would jump in front of a speeding train to protect my DD...a little stretch of the truth to protect her is a complete non issue.

[kiara7]

He is uncomfortable filing a religious exemption because he feels it is lying.

Not trying to get all dramatic over here - just got my philosophical hat on today.

Jews lied about children hidden in the house when Nazis came over, kwim? I don't think anyone would ever say that's a sin.
Your job is to protect the health and well-being of your children. Really, God gave all of us a tool to help with everyday life and decision making - brain. After researching and using this God-given tool you came to the conclusion not to vax.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Fyrestorm

I would jump in front of a speeding train to protect my DD...a little stretch of the truth to protect her is a complete non issue.

[brendaziz]

Stretching the truth to protect my child is a non issue for me. If someone breaks into my house and says do you have kids? where are they? Heck if I'm gonna say "upstairs, down the hall to the right".
I however do not feel that it is lying to say that I am religiously opposed to vaxes even though my church (where me and my hubby work and my father is pastor) does not have an official stance on the matter. God has entrusted us with children and it is our job to protect them and raise them as we see fit- and as a Christian along side with the teachings of the Bible.
If I feel that vaxings cause more harm than good, I don't believe God would want me to possibly inflict harm upon my child that He has entrusted me with.
My father is our Pastor and totally agrees with me as well- fwiw.

[Gitti]

I sincerely AND religiously believe that it would be blasphemy to mistrust my creator and intervene with this divine creation. I do NOT belong to any organized religion or church whatsoever.

I would not, under any circumstances, change my view on vaccines and would do everything in my power to avoid them. There is just no way... short of putting me in chains and injecting me or my family.

What or whoever created us certainly was the expert.
And that is where my trust lies.

But anyway, here is a Biblical Case Against Vaccines.

[PaigeC]

I also don't go to a church with a vaccination stance. However, I feel that religion is highly personal. I'm sure every belief your DH has is not directly from church dogma right? Even Peter left room for personal beliefs when he talked about marriage (he chose to stay single but didn't condemn marriage)

Being a woman with infertility, I had to struggle with my personal/religious beliefs around IVF. Some christian organizations (Catholic Church, Focus on the Family) are against reproductive technology. Others are ok with it or don't have a stance. It isn't like there is a biblical passage on "thou shalt not mix egg and sperm in a petri dish." It becomes more about praying, reading, and following where God leads you, right? In the end I had great peace about using science since I felt that God created this life in that glass dish.

Same with vaccinations. I truly believe, after much research AND prayer, vaccinations are not the natural order of things. Where do philosophical beliefs and religious beliefs cross? If you are a religious person then IMO it is hard to separate the two. I live in a philosophical exemption state but will probably use religious exemption.

Your DH is being very thoughtful and cautious but I think he should look at the wording of the law. I'm sure he doesn't have to lie and say "my religion (church) forbids vaccination." Rather that "his personal moral and religious belief do not agree with vaccination."

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philip 4.6-7

[PaigeC]

Also, Rahab was considered justified in lying about the spies. God recognizes the lesser of two evils. Heb 11:31

[rainashine]

I understand the points being made and I think that is probably what's going to happen. I guess now I'm really just curious. Seriously, what are (can) they going to do if you refuse to vax and refuse to file an exemption? Deny your child an education? Really? Has anyone challenged that?

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by rainashine

Seriously, what are (can) they going to do if you refuse to vax and refuse to file an exemption? Deny your child an education? Really? Has anyone challenged that?

There might be a difference between denying an education and permission to go to a public school?

[PaigeC]

You are required to vaccinate OR file an exemption. I'm pretty sure there isn't a 3rd option. I believe this would be a matter of truancy if you didn't do one or the other and the school is within their right to deny entry if you haven't vacc/exempted. I know in homeschooling you can't just refuse to file notification with the school district. You could be busily teaching your kids at home but if you don't follow the law you can be arrested for truancy. Which will get CPS involved.

[spero]

Originally Posted by rainashine

Okay, I'm sure this is naive, but what happens if you don't vax or don't fully vax and "they" don't accept your religious exemption or you don't feel as if you can justify your reasons to not vax with your religion?

If your religious exemption is denied, you have the right to appeal; however, if the school knows that you are selectively vaccinating it IS legal grounds for denial. Religious exemption is all or nothing.

Obviously not in WV or Mississippi as they can call cps

Um, I don't think that is the case. Even in those states they can't call CPS just for not vaccinating ... but your kid can't attend school there if you aren't vaxing.

We are opposed to the use of fetal tissue for religious reasons but that seems to not qualify (I think that's stupid btw).

It IS stupid, but that IS considered philosophical reasoning as pertaining to the law.

Originally Posted by brendaziz

Stretching the truth to protect my child is a non issue for me. If someone breaks into my house and says do you have kids? where are they? Heck if I'm gonna say "upstairs, down the hall to the right".

:

Originally Posted by rainashine

Seriously, what are (can) they going to do if you refuse to vax and refuse to file an exemption? Deny your child an education? Really? Has anyone challenged that?

Look, schools have to abide by the law too. The law states that children cannot attend school unless they meet their state's requirements for vaccination, or they have a bona fide exemption. Like someone else said, if you just kept your kid home and complained, "I can't send my kid to school because they say he hasn't had the right vaccinations" - well, like someone else said that is considered truancy b/c the school is merely following the law. And you're just giving them a reason to call CPS.

[MamaVolpe]

See if this helps your husband:

My personal religous belief is that my creator made my body in such a way that it will self heal from injury and diseases. I oppose the practice of vax as it bypasses most of my immune system by injecting directly into my body instead of letting the diseases process thru the way my creator inteded, via ingestion, inhalation or touch.

If you husband agrees with that than I don't see any reason why you should feel uncomfortable about claiming a religious exception.

[Juraelnati]

I belong to a church that has stated it's support for vaccination generally, however, my religion also places a strong emphasis on a personal relationship with God and personal revelation for one's own life, and the lives of one's children. Therefore, I feel perfectly honest in stating that vaccination is against my religion on the grounds that God has revealed to me through meditation, study and prayer that vaccination is wrong for my family.
Who can argue with that?

Julia

[Pyrodjm]

As everyone else stated the exemption is based on you PERSONAL religious beliefs which need not be supported by the religious organization you are affiliated with (you also don't have to be affiliated with one at all). If your DH feels that vaccines are against the will of God, even if his organization supported it he could file with a clean conscience.

My religion has no official stance on vaccines, but I will file an exemption because I don't think toxins injected into the body to protect it from disease was what my creator intended. I also feel that my child is my inheritance from God and that it is my responsibility to him to protect her from all harm and I believe vaccines are harmful. Many of my faith do not feel the same way, but this is based on my conscience and my personal relationship with God.

[justice'smom]

Originally Posted by rainashine

Okay I get that. But we ARE members of an organized religion that does not oppose the practice of vaccination. Dh works there. He is uncomfortable filing a religious exemption because he feels it is lying. Regardless, dd is not getting some vaccines. What happens then?

There is nothing in the bible that says anything about vaxing that I have found. However after much prayer I know that God is telling me not to vax my children. So, that is a religious reason for me. I don't know if that helps, but I def. wouldn't lie about it. A friend of mine told me that a religious exemption can be anything that you truely don't believe in. The dictionary states that religion is a cause,principle,or belief held with faith. We have to remeber that the word religion is a human word. I don't think it's even in the bible.

[quarteralien]

Originally Posted by Fyrestorm

Some Mormons practice plural marriage etc.

If they do, they are excommunicated.