state laws & exemptions - do they ever change?

[blumooned]

I usually don't post here, but have been doing lots of reading/researching. Thanks for all the great info so far!

My question - How likely is it that state laws regarding vax exemptions (religious/philosophical) will change? I'm wondering specifically if Iowa will ever allow a philosophical one? And can they ever be revoked? Can states stop allowing a type of exemption?

I don't know if anyone here knows these specific answers, but if anyone could even point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it!

The main reason I'm asking is, DS is not vaxed yet (not sure of when/if). Iowa has a religious exemption, but it would be a complete lie for us to use it.

Thanks for any advice!

[Marnica]

Welcome!

State laws can change....several states right now (can't recall which ones off the top of my head) are petitioning to have philisophical exemptions added. WV and MS have been trying to get a religious exemption for years (or so Ive heard). As for when each state added their laws onto their books, you'd have to scour their public health codes. I think change does happen, but it's often slow to happen (as most things are with politics). And yes, conceivable any exemption could be taken away as well.

As for you feeling like you are lying if you claim a religious exemption, do you have a personally held belief? You don't have to belong to any organized religion. The way I see it, if I need to stretch the truth a bit to protact my child from harm, then so be it. I wouldn't think twice and I wouldn't feel bad., This is YOUR child and it is YOUR duty to protect your DS. If your state doesn't happen to have a philisophical exemption, than they are basically backing you into a corner and leaving you with no other option. I say shame on them - not you for being a responsible parent and protecting your child

[an_domhan]

Originally Posted by Marnica

As for you feeling like you are lying if you claim a religious exemption, do you have a personally held belief? You don't have to belong to any organized religion.

I agree, and it's becoming increasingly clear that religious convictions are the only belief that is going to be protected under the Constitution since violating such rights are obviously perilous to a free republic. Not that it's stopping the madness at the moment....

[blumooned]

Thank you for the input!

I will claim religious exemption if needed (and not really feel bad about it) - my parents did it for my siblings & me. I guess I just figured philosophical would be more correct & maybe easier (not sure on that).

For the religious exemption - do you have to state a religion?

For the philosophical one - is it all or nothing like the religious one? Or can you be opposed to some vax but not others?

I'm not opposed to vax in general. I'm opposed to so many so early & all the added chemicals. I am opposed to a few specific ones, for various reasons. If it were up to me, DS would probably never be vaxed - but, I need to convince DP. But I think we'll need an exemption either way, b/c we're not doing all the required ones.

[serenbat]

There are many factors but I can see a real problems with my state PA changing- we currently have religious and medical. Since we are near NY, since one of the largest vaccine manufactures is in the state, and not only have other "religious" requirements changed in the last few years (our state marriage laws), I sadly fear it won't take much for this state to flip and do away with our religious exemption and go more like NY.

[newmum35]

I was hoping my state would be adding a philosophical exemption sometime in the next few years too. It does feel like being backed into a corner when you have to choose all or nothing. I highly doubt they would drop the religious exemption, only 2 states do not have one, are you saying PA would be the 3rd? Don't think it will happen, (but if it does, I'm out of here.)

[ammiga]

I used to think that we only had a philosophical objection to vaxxing, but when I really thought about it, I kind of consider it to be religious as well. Given everything I know about vaccinating, and the harm I believe it inflicts onto the body, there is no way that I believe God wants me injecting that into dd's body. I think it goes directly against my obligation as her parent, and it isn't hard to find a million biblical passages that obligate me to do no harm, to protect my children, etc. I don't think that my objection originates in a religious way, but it certainly can be transferred quite easily into a religious objection.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by blumooned

Iowa has a religious exemption, but it would be a complete lie for us to use it.

I wouldn't care. The government puts parents in the position of doing what is best for their child, or lying to "them." You should not have to justify NOT putting potentially harmful or fatal prophylactic drugs into your child.