Religious Exemption Letter
By Dean Honeycutt
Mitchell County
Several people have asked me about requesting religious exemption from the COVID vaccine. Here is an example of a letter that has been used for exemption. Be specific in your request.
To whom it may concern,
(your name and D.O.B.) is requesting an exemption from all coronavirus vaccines based on faith and religious convictions. I am requesting exemption from the vaccine just as one would request an exemption under NC G.S.130A-157. Religious exemption and the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Act.
If the bona fide religious beliefs of an adult or the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of a child are contrary to the immunization requirements contained in this Part, the adult or the child shall be exempt from the requirements. Upon submission of a written statement of the bona fide religious beliefs and opposition to the immunization requirements, the person may attend the college, university, school, or facility without presenting a certificate of immunization.
Also Under the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are not authorized to mandate immunization for those who object to immunization on religious grounds, except where it is necessary for the protection of the health or safety of others.
(Individuals who are vaccinated can spread the virus to others and are not guaranteed protection from Covid 19. Therefore, the Covid vaccination could not guarantee the health or safety of others.)
(12) Nothing in this or any other provision of this Article shall be deemed to authorize or require a medical examination, immunization, or treatment for those who object thereto on religious grounds, except where such is necessary for the protection of the health or safety of others. (1973, c. 295, s. 5; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1021, s. 2; 2011-366, s. 8.)
95-151. Discrimination.
No employer, employee, or any other person related to the administration of this Article shall be discriminated against in any work, procedure, or employment by reason of sex, race, ethnic origin, or by reason of religious affiliation. (1973, c. 295, s. 26.) (Article 16 Occupational Safety and Health Act North Carolina)
Please do not discriminate against me.
The Word of God instructs believers in all manner of life. The believer who has a conviction about this vaccine would and should refuse to take it just as they would any drug that is prohibited. Not only for their own safety but for the safety and wellbeing of their family. A Christian must have a conscience without reproach before God.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (KJV 1900)
“19 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? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Acts 24:16 (KJV 1900)
“16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”
1 Corinthians 8:7 (KJV 1900)
“7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.”
Daniel 1:8 (KJV 1900)
“8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”
XVII. Religious Liberty 9/1/2016 Southern Baptist Convention > The Baptist Faith and Message http://www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp 5/5 God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render local obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power. Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
Please allow this exemption
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Pastor Dean Honeycutt shepherds Snow Hill Baptist Church in Bakersville, NC. He may be reached at 828-385-0213, snowhillbaptist@gmail.com, or visit their website at www.snowhillbaptist.com.
You can read more good Christian news from Dean HERE.
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