an exemption should be granted, same guidelines needed for all. The EEOC leans toward the individual's rights, rather than the employer's, which influences employers' determinations of sincere religious belief.
Just quoting personal beliefs, including pointing to a Bible verse, has been tried in various judicial jurisdictions and generally not been successful. But, “Courts really struggle in rejecting claims for exemption on the grounds that they aren’t genuinely religious. The nature of religious belief is that you can have belief that no one on the outside can understand.”
Like J. Witnesses, CS supports vaccination requirements for public health reasons and ALSO the right of their members to decide this issue for themselves.
For more than a century, our denomination has counseled respect for public health authorities and conscientious obedience to the laws of the land, including those requiring vaccination. Christian Scientists report suspected communicable disease, obey quarantines, and strive to cooperate with measures considered necessary by public health officials. We see this as a matter of basic Golden Rule ethics and New Testament love.
As for the issue of exemptions for vaccination in the law, Christian Scientists’ perspective on this issue may be unique. In the past, many public officials have been broadly supportive of exemptions when these have not been considered a danger to the wider community. In more recent years, public health concerns relating to vaccinations have risen as exemptions from them have been claimed by larger numbers. Christian Scientists recognize the seriousness of these concerns.
Most of our church members normally rely on prayer for healing. It’s a deeply considered spiritual practice and way of life that has meant a lot to us over the years. So we’ve appreciated vaccination exemptions and sought to use them conscientiously and responsibly, when they have been granted.
On the other hand, our practice isn’t a dogmatic thing. Church members are free to make their own choices on all life-decisions, in obedience to the law, including whether or not to vaccinate. These aren’t decisions imposed by their church.
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