1/30/2022 Edit update: PDF file of letter
This is the best 'religious exemption' letter that I have seen, that is the most thorough and complete covering all necessary aspects of the vaccine and "mandates" forcing people to take it. It does an outstanding job covering our Faith and provides numerous Bible verses relating to this issue as well as answering possible objections.
Personally I believe that religious exemptions will soon no longer be permitted, but this letter should help you remain steadfast in obeying God rather than men no matter what happens.
With some companies, very little is required to request religious exemption from the COVID vaccine, while other places might require a letter of this size. Either way, use your best judgment and feel free to take parts or all of this for your use, changing the wording to fit your personal situation.
The letter was written by a friend, Andrew, who runs a telegram channel you can join here: https://t.me/occupy_till_i_come
posted with permission
To Whom it May Concern:
This letter is offered in support of the submitted “COVID-19 Vaccine Religious Exemption Request Form.” The form did not provide space for a detailed response and so it is hoped that this letter might provide a better explanation of our faith and practices as relating to the specific request (“mandate”) therein.
1Pe 3:15-16 KJV
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
These statements of faith herein are intended as true and accurate representations of our faith for ourselves as individuals and collectively as a family church under God and Christ.
* * *
Statement of Identity in Christ
Our family faith could be described as non-denominational bible-believing Christian. We are not defined by the decrees or interpretations of any particular tradition. The scriptures are the source of our faith and belief. We live unto God and belong unto God, and accordingly each and every one of us are individually accountable to God.
2Ti 3:16-17 KJV
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Rom 14:7-9, 10-12 KJV
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
We acknowledge that there are different interpretations of the Christian religion, but the words and interpretations of another does not necessarily speak for us, even if we may agree in other aspects of faith and practice.
* * *
Statement regarding the Sanctity of Human Life
As touching a politically and emotionally charged subject we choose to speak clearly. Our scripture states that man was created in God’s image, not merely the first man, or the first woman, but that the entire race of mankind is fashioned after the image of God.
Gen 1:27 KJV
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 9:6 KJV
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
The same scriptures also clearly show that man is not created at the moment of birth, or when he draws his first breath, but is formed by God and known as an individual even within the womb.
Isaiah 44:24 KJV
Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Jeremiah 1:4-5 KJV
Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
As all human life is made in the image of God, and thus we are prohibited from shedding each other’s blood (see Genesis 9:6, above.) The unjust taking of human life is also called murder.
Exo 20:13 KJV
(13) Thou shalt not kill.
Mat 19:18 KJV
(18) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
We believe that the murder of a child is a travesty before God, and that the ghoulish practice of harvesting murdered children for their body parts is an abomination regardless of what rationalization of “common good” or “profit” might be offered. Humans are created in the image of God, to love and to serve him, not as livestock to be processed or consumed.
* * *
Statement regarding COVID-19 abortion-tainted vaccines
Abortion-tainted human cell lines were used in the research and development of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and even directly used in the actual production of Johnson & Johnson’s alternative. It is our stance that we will not partake of any such vaccine regardless of perceived benefit.
Isa 59:2-3 KJV
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
Although society as a whole may not share our faith honoring human life, we cannot participate in nor condone the practice of abortion or its products. This includes any such abortion-tainted vaccine regardless of its intended purpose, even for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, or for any other reason.
Furthermore, in this context a certain symbolism seems to come to light;
Joh 6:53-54 KJV
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
To us that are called to partake of Christ’s body and blood so that we also may have life, the suggestion that we should partake of a different body and blood, even of murdered infants, so that society will allow us to live or exist is perceived as blasphemous.
* * *
Statement regarding gene therapy and genetic engineering
We believe that human life was designed and created by God, that our minds and bodies were formed by him with purpose and function. We did not randomly appear as the results of near-infinite trial and error, and we did not make ourselves, but we believe that God is the author of our all life and we are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psa 139:14-16 KJV
(14) 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.
Setting aside the disturbing origin and production methods of these vaccines, each of them attempt to work against the natural function of the human body in a way not seen in nature. At least in theory, a typical vaccine introduces a small amount of a live or attenuated virus and allows the body to respond normally. But these are not typical vaccines.
· The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses of a genetically modified virus which bombards the body with a “spike protein” to provoke an immune response. That spike protein is highly toxic and not found in such an isolated state in nature.
· The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines go so far as to directly interfere and disrupt the natural functions of the human body at the cellular level, hijacking the body so that it produces the unnatural isolated toxic spike protein on its own.
Setting aside debate regarding the possibility of DNA modification or reverse transcription from adenoviruses or mRNA technology, we are called to be a new creature in Christ, not to be a new creature through genetic engineering after an image of our own imagining to usurp God’s own design.
1Co 15:38-39 KJV
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
2Co 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We do not consent to be subjects of the experiments of genetic engineering. We were designed by and belong to God, and we are not to submit ourselves to redesign against his divine blueprint by another.
* * *
Statement regarding defilement of the body and of the heart, and sin
The concept of a “vaccine mandate” presumes that an authority, be it governmental, religious, or otherwise, possesses the right to require such a mandate, essentially assuming that others are theirs to do with as they desire.
The slogan of “my body my choice” has been much heard in regards to other highly emotionally charged topics, but for believer in Christ it is said that their body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer our own, but we are purchased by God and therefore his possession.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
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.
I Corinthians 3:16-17
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Setting aside an in-depth debate or discussion regarding every possible example of physical or spiritual defilement, it is also said that all sin is of the heart and defiles a man. Defilement in this sense is not concerned with dirt in food or ceremonially unwashed hands, but spiritually, even any act or thing that violates our conscience regardless of the physical substance of the thing involved.
Mat 15:16-20 KJV
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Rom 14:14, 23 KJV
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean...
… And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Some argue that our bodies are our own to do with as we choose, and if this is true then government has no power to mandate medical treatments. But even if the powers that be tell us that our bodies are not our own, we answer that they belong to God, certainly not the state or the fleeting whim of a government official. We were bought with a price and we alone answer to God. But if do that which we believe to be sin, then we have sinned against him by violating our conscience.
* * *
Statement regarding submission to lawful authority
It is our understanding that Christians are to submit to lawful authority, yet we are provided with numerous examples that we are not obliged to obey leaders who presume to command that we obey contrary to God’s law.
Rom 13:1-2 KJV
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Act 5:27-29 KJV
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
An example of a lawful mandate might include a decree that all people return to their city of birth to be taxed. The gospel of Luke speaks of such a decree regarding the birth of Christ. Laws such as these are to be obeyed.
Luk 2:1-3 KJV
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
An example of an unlawful mandate might include when Pharaoh demanded that the midwives perform post-natal abortion of male children. The midwives resisted the mandate and God blessed those that obeyed their faith and conscience.
Exo 1:15-16, 17-20 KJV
And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
Plainly speaking, our faith dictates that we should not to participate in unlawful mandates, and that in any conflict between the law of God and man, God’s law prevails. We ought to obey God rather than men.
* * *
Statement regarding the peculiar implementation of the COVID-19 mandates
Thus far we have discussed why these specific vaccines violated aspects of our faith and religious practice regarding the sanctity of human life, our respect for God’s creation, and resisting physical defilement of our bodies and spiritual sin against our conscience.
Yet there remains the proverbial “elephant in the room” which must be addressed, that being none other than the nature and implementation of these “mandates” are remarkably similar to that infamous “mark of the beast” which Christians have been warned to watch out for and resist since the sealing of our New Testament.
Revelation 13:16-18 KJV
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
When the whole world moves to cause all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a blasphemous sacrament so that they might be permitted to receive a special identification called a “green pass” or “COVID passport” or “proof of vaccination” so that they may be allowed to buy and sell, to work and travel, and otherwise survive in today’s economic world and society to feed their families, how is it that anyone can question that any biblical Christian might indeed have sincerely rooted religious objections against complying with such a mandate?
Rev 14:9-10 KJV
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
There are many different types and forms of religion in this world. Some forms of religion demand unquestioning loyalty regardless of facts and evidence, dissenting views are not to be heard, heretics are to be burnt at the stake or cancelled, and obedience through blind loyalty or fear is equally valued regardless of threat, duress, or coercion. This is not the nature of our faith and religion.
2Ti 1:7 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1Jn 4:17-18 KJV
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
If the powers that be were truly concerned about health and safety, they wouldn’t attempt to mandate a vaccine to people with proven immunity to the disease, let alone mandating something that has caused so much death and disability as documented in official records.
Likewise, if people truly needed a vaccine to live, there would be no need for a mandate, and no need to attempt to punish those that resist such a mandate. Those that received a vaccine would live, those that did not receive a vaccine would die, and it would be as simple as that. There would be no need to mandate that everyone drink of the same cup lest they be cast out of the congregation.
Mat 4:10 KJV
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Perhaps some people are true believers (in their God or gods, in humanistic progress, or these vaccines in general) and do not share our religious objections, and thus gladly receive them in faith. We afford them the freedom of their religion to follow their beliefs and conscience. But for us, we trust and believe the God who raised Jesus from the dead, and we will not serve other gods out of fear.
Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
I cannot say whether the social engineers behind these “mandates” were inspired by reading the description of the beast in Revelation, or whether they engaged in this plan without realizing that they were following the steps in prophecy, but our Christian religion is keenly aware of the significance.
* * *
In Conclusion
These statements of faith and belief are not meant to disparage or condemn any other person who does not share these same beliefs or interpretation of religion. For us they are personal and they are sincerely held, and we thank you for bearing with us if we spoke with exceeding passion.
I understand that you are caught in a difficult landscape with conflicting demands upon it from different directions, with OSHA and CMS mandates on one side, state law and constitution on another, and court rulings still forthcoming. We pray for your guidance and wisdom as you consider the right course of action, even for all others with sincere religious objections that may have difficulty translating the faith of their heart and mind into words upon paper.
Mat 5:43-45 KJV
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
More could be said, but it is not our intent to wear you down through much writing. Please feel free to contact us if any thing needs clarification of if we may be of further assistance. We would be happy to provide a response in writing for your records.
Sincerely yours,
