Religious Exemption Examples: Successfully Decline a Vaccine

Mandates have been one of the hottest topics I’ve covered but the declination process itself has had my inbox full of questions. Here, I’ll explain why I think everyone should choose a religious or personal belief exemption over medical whenever possible, religious exemption examples, answer frequently asked questions and link to resources, should you need additional help.

I also talk through the mandates, declination, exemptions and the process as a whole HERE ON THE BOOM CLAP PODCAST EPISODE #19. You’ll also find resources sprinkled throughout my INSTAGRAM.

Mandate: this word describes a requirement by employers/schools for you to receive a vaccine in order to maintain employment/eligibility to attend school.
Declination: the process of declining a mandated vaccine for either religious, philosophical, or medical reasons.
Exemption: what you are granted by your employer or school after declining vaccination for either religious, philosophical or medical reasons.
Religious exemption: within this post the terms religious and personal belief are interchangeable as both types of exemptions move you away from being bound to ingredients and evolving development methods.

Some things to consider prior to applying for an exemption:

Though I have been through this process and successfully declined the flu shot many times in the past using a religious exemption, I never got to the point of declination with the COVID vaccine mandate. I lost my job prior to declining for unwillingness to participate in punitive measures. Many others, though, have used my tips and language to successfully decline vaccination fall of 2021 forward.

Within the context of COVID specifically, some have forgone declination and instead fought the process altogether, as being granted a declination often comes with “consequences” that are burdensome, intrusive and have sometimes included segregation.

Others are not participating in the process as the exemption forms often include questions that attempt to invalidate your beliefs before you even state them, tie current decisions to unrelated past decisions, and offer the opportunity for an employer to assert the authority to determine the quality of or completely invalidate the applicant’s belief system.

Filing for an exemption:

I often get asked if I have a form available for you to fill out. No, your employer or school should provide the form and policy for the process of declining. If they are not transparent with the process or even that there is an opportunity to decline, contact human resources.

Each state has it’s own laws on declination and exemptions. If you are unsure what they are, look at this map by state. Here’s another place to look. All but five states allow for religious and/or personal belief exemptions.

Still not sure? Contact your state representative, they may not know but they have the resources to find out, make sure they cite the law so you can look at it for yourself.

Below I have solid tried and true suggestions on how to fill out a declination and thought process to determine which method of declining fits for you.

Why choose religious over a medical exemption?

I prefer to decline on the basis of religion (my personal beliefs) as that is truly the foundation for my rationale; therefore, I fill out a religious vaccine exemption form.

Personal beliefs are harder for your employer to argue than ingredients and medical reasons.

Even if your reason is a medical or ingredient based one, ask yourself, why do you wish to avoid that medical risk? Why don’t you want to put that ingredient into your body? Often the answers to those questions come down to a belief you firmly hold that can be pointed to as the ultimate reason for declining. And, while ingredients and methods of vaccine development may change, your desire to decline vaccination is likely to remain.

Filing for a vaccine exemption based on personal/spiritual belief is more likely to stand the test of time.

Religious exemption examples … the language I’ve personally used in the past to decline vaccination:

“As a Christian, I believe God gave me this body to live in, here on Earth and it houses the Holy Spirit in me. Who I am, how I am, is how God made me. It is my job to steward my gifts including this body, well. (______) is not something that upholds my commitment to stewardship.

While I do not feel I owe my employer an explanation of my religion or belief system, I am not ashamed. Additionally, I do not believe my employer reserves the right to determine the validity of my beliefs. They are mine and remain regardless of the determination.”

This is just an example; you should use language that resonates with your rationale based on your own personal values and beliefs. If applicable, you may cite scripture that supports your belief.

Tips for filling out a declination form:

If you choose to engage in the declination process, I’d encourage you to keep it simple, brief, firm and in some way point out (this part is really important) that the beliefs stated are yours and cannot be validated/invalidated by your employer.

In the circumstance of an unapproved declination, many have chosen to re-submit as this is somehow often a proverbial stand off between you and the employer. They’ll turn you down once assuming you’ll lay down your values to keep a paycheck. This isn’t always the case, but it has been for many. Resubmitting is worth a shot …pun intended.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if I’m not “religious?”

Maybe you aren’t a Christian like me, regardless, you likely have some belief system in which you base your life on. While I stand firmly in my Christian faith and absolute opposition to the current “you are whatever you say you are” agenda, a hospital, school or corporation who stands by current DEI (diversity equity & inclusivity) standards, allowing people to choose their gender, will have a hard time finding a legal leg to stand on if they don’t allow you to claim whatever belief system you hold as legitimate … whatever it is.

I have a true allergy, Why do you recommend against a medical exemption?

If the vaccine were reformulated without ingredient you are allergic to, would you want to take it? If the answer is “no” or even “I don’t know,” do not tie yourself to that ingredient as the one and only reason for wanting to exempt yourself from vaccination, unless you have to.

If you are in California, for example, outside of not participating in a job or school that lists vaccination as a prerequisite, a medical exemption is your only option.

I’ve taken vaccines in the past, so my employer says I’m not eligible for exemptions, is this true?

No. You reserve the right to change your mind. I’m certain if you used to smoke but declined a cigarette because you no longer smoke they wouldn’t say “you smoked in the past, what’s the big deal?” Some might say to the above analogy, but everyone knows smoking is bad. Yes, what is widely known today was once promoted as beneficial to health (don’t believe me… look it up). The point is, their argument is not legitimate and can fit into a handful of logical fallacy categories.

My employer wants my religious leader to sign my exemption form, what do I do?

Well, WHO is your religious leader? Mine is Jesus Christ and as far as I know He isn’t signing forms. The fact that many declination forms now include this sign off by an “authority” shows the complete misunderstanding of Christianity and religion in general. They ask what YOUR deeply held beliefs are but then assume you outsource them to some middle man authority figure. A “deeply held” belief isn’t subject to change simply based on who pastors your church. Use this information to explain or just write in “Jesus Christ”… they should be uncomfortable that they requested this.

My employer said that the scripture I cited does not hold the meaning I believe it does?

I’m absolutely not suggesting anyone apply false meaning or their own meaning to scripture. However, your employer does not reserve the right to interpret scripture. Period.

I’m a nursing student and my school/clinical site says it doesn’t offer students exemptions.

There are rules by state but there is NOT a separate set of rules written just for nursing students. While from my view, it’s safe to say schools and hospitals want their future staff docile and compliant, (and the threat of not receiving a degree is one way to ensure it) you don’t have to be. Know the laws for your state. Contact your state representative for representation if need be.