Do I have to lie?

[MyZoeJane]

Living in a "medical or religious exemption only" state, do I have to lie and claim to be a Christian or can I at least lie and say I subscribe to a different religion that is closer to my own philosophical tenets?

Can I claim to be Buddhist and still qualify for religious exemption?

If you file a religious exemption, what religion do you claim?


Ugh. The whole thing makes me feel so dirty.

[2xy]

I don't live in Illinois, but I don't think the government can tell someone how to follow their religion. If the Bible is open to interpretation, then I daresay that any religious text and/or doctrine are, as well.

Therefore, if Buddhists believe that the body is a temple, I think a Buddhist could claim to be anti-vax.

[SunshineJ]

Many (most? all?) states don't really care what specific religion you are, just that you have a religious objection to immunizations.

[listipton]

Illinois seems to be a little tricky. I've been thinking about what my letter will look like next year when I have to write one. From reading this link
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/spec-ed/...exemptions.pdf
You can't just say 'My religion doesn't agree with vaccination', but you don't have to belong to a certain religion either. I'm interested in what others have done/written.

[Fyrestorm]

I belong to the church of Dee and claim a religious exemption in CT. They cannot require you to disclose your belief system. It's none of their business.

The church of Dee believes that vaccines are against our belief system. Period. End. Of. Story.

[xmasbaby7]

Originally Posted by Fyrestorm

I belong to the church of Dee and claim a religious exemption in CT. They cannot require you to disclose your belief system. It's none of their business.

The church of Dee believes that vaccines are against our belief system. Period. End. Of. Story.

That's awesome.

I am assuming this is just your family's religion but if you were looking for more members in New England... : )

[Fyrestorm]

Originally Posted by xmasbaby7

That's awesome.

I am assuming this is just your family's religion but if you were looking for more members in New England... : )

The more the merrier! We have no set times of prayer...it's a do it yourself kinda doctrine!

You can even start your own church...perhaps, 'The First Church of Xmasbaby on the Green'?

[jimblejamble]

:

What about those of us who are selectively vaccinating and/or whose beliefs on vaccines have nothing to do with their religion?

[Fyrestorm]

Then you run into problems. Especially if your state has a registry.

You can however get the ones you want and then have a religious epiphany and realize that vaccines are now against your sincerely held personal beliefs. Call them religious...if you believe it, it's a belief. It's just a question of semantics.

Besides, I would have no problem lying my A** off to anyone...especially a government agency if it will protect my child.

[MyZoeJane]

Originally Posted by listipton

Illinois seems to be a little tricky. I've been thinking about what my letter will look like next year when I have to write one. From reading this link
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/spec-ed/...exemptions.pdf
You can't just say 'My religion doesn't agree with vaccination', but you don't have to belong to a certain religion either. I'm interested in what others have done/written.

Well, in IL I keep running into info that leads me to believe that I have to be specific about my religion and the "proof" that makes it againt my religion to vaccinate. The examples I keep finding for IL exemption letters are VERY specific and only pertain to Christianity, particularly Catholicism. If I have to lie and say I subscribe to a particular religion, I would certainly like to avoid having to claim I'm Catholic! (No offense, but it is the one I agree with LEAST.)


If I could just make up a religion, call it my own, and say that it doesn't allow for vaccination... then I wouldn't have a problem! (And I suppose that if I were to do that it would be considered "philosophical exemption", which is not "allowed" in IL.)

Does anyone know if IL has a registry? If so, can I opt out? Haven't looked into this aspect yet.

I have a daughter who starts Kindergarten this year who is mostly vaxed, but "missing" some.... which I do NOT want to catch her up on. I am also expecting my second child in several weeks and am leaning toward not vaxing him at all.... I've made an appointment with a known "supportive non-vaxing pediatrician", so I'm not concerned about it from a medical care standpoint, but I need to finish my DD's registration in three weeks!

I wish I could read some examples of letters that have "worked" for others in IL!

[SunshineJ]

Have you looked at this site?
http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/illinois.htm
Just came across it and didn't know if it would help or not.

[MyZoeJane]

Originally Posted by SunshineJ

Have you looked at this site?
http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/illinois.htm
Just came across it and didn't know if it would help or not.

Yes, I have been perusing this site today... it has been helpful!

I alsoanswered my own question about the registry. Now I just have to call and find out if I signed up before I knew better... and if so, how I opt out.


IL Vaccine Registry:

http://www.idph.state.il.us/health/vaccine/icarefs.html