A segment of the states society protested vigorously. By contrast, the Air Force had received 4,817 religious exemption requests but not granted a single one, as of Nov. 16. The unnamed staffer is fulfilling her obligation to religious obligation to morality, the letter contends. Mather also faced violence as a bomb was thrown through the window of his house on November 13, 1721, with the attached note: Cotton Mather, you dog, dam[n] you! The idea of a religious exemption as a concept has a long and complicated history in the U.S., but it has rarely, and possibly never, come up against something as massive and urgent as the. on 02/18/2021, 4 Ways the Parable of the Sower Encourages Spiritual Growth. If the very hairs of my head are numbered, I have no reason to fear that, supposing I receive the smallpox in a natural way, I shall have a single pimple more than he sees expedient; and why should I wish to have one less? This is why, when appealing to religious liberty as the basis for an exemption, Christians should proceed carefully. After receiving a frightening medical diagnosis several years ago, I searched my soul and the Bible to find an answer to my overriding question: Why did this happen to me? It is about people who have faith in God. One letter writer cites the use of aborted fetal cells in medical research as a violation of their faith. Multiple pastors preached against it, such as William Douglass who condemned those who received inoculation as being guilty of a sinful distrust of God, though he would change his mind in later years. In fact, the purpose of the Tribulation itself is to bring pressure for men to surrender to Jesus and find salvation." What Is the Meaning of Psalm 91 and Why Is it Popular? Chip Ellis, who protested the vaccine mandate at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, told The Sun Herald that belief is in part why he submitted a request for a religious exemption. Leviticus 11:10-11. When it comes to the church, instead of the legalism of binding others consciences beyond the teachings of Scripture, we would do well to consider the wisdom of Newtons letter. When they explain their religious objections to health officials, employers and school administrations, evangelicals select verses, usually out of context, and reference them on exemptions forms. Scriptures can help us to make sense of the confusion we see around us with people in fear of the Coronavirus. We see through this verse that Gods love for us is unconditional. The Psalms in Practice. In the trenches of the COVID pandemic today, fear of contracting COVID has placed many people in an isolated, depressed state. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The personal convictions carried by people who attend Awaken church are very real,. A pastor at Manhattan Baptist church wrote a letter on behalf of a congregant. Nay, admitting, which however is not always the case, that inoculation might exempt me from some pain and inconvenience, and lessen the apparent danger, might it not likewise, upon that very account, prevent my receiving some of those sweet consolations which I humbly hope my gracious Lord would afford me, if it were his pleasure to call me to a sharp trial? The church has determined 'Covid' to be a fake plague no more dangerous than the flu and that the measures being used for the first time in history to 'combat it' are Satanically-inspired and contravene New Testament scripture - by design. Over time, this conviction gathered momentum. Beliefnet is a lifestyle website providing feature editorial content around the topics of inspiration, spirituality, health, wellness, love and family, news and entertainment. The doctrine of the liberty of conscience was prominent and instrumental in shaping religious liberty in the United States. Is it a matter of preference or a matter of conscience? When large numbers of Irish and German immigrants arrived on American shores in the middle decades of the 19th century, evangelicals drew on longstanding anti-Catholic prejudices. Our inflexible stands and outrage over whether to vaccinate or not break hearts, and pits people against each other and government health agencies. Newtons application of the doctrine of liberty of conscience is gracious and charitable, and it is far from where we are today. The Bible says, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17 KJV). New York State has removed its religious exemption option for health care workers, and . 7 And the swine, because he parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, but - cheweth not the cud, he is unclean unto you. The Israelites left Egypt accompanied by a tabernacle, which served as Gods temple in the Promised Land, as did the Ark of the Covenant when the Israelites marched into battle with neighboring tribes. Covid Mask & Testing Exemptions. No matter where you find yourself today, we hope one of these verses reaches you in your exact situation and season. This makes policing religious exemptions to vaccination hard - and rightly so. The goal isnt about wealth and prosperity, but about the mission of bringing Gods message to the world. So, I kept cross-country skiing, kayaking, and hiking with difficulty. 8 Of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch; they are unclean unto you. The vaccine is made from aborted fetuses. California, which abolished nonmedical exemptions for childhood vaccination in 2015, has led the way on covid vaccine mandates. Democratic Gov. Thou call me home. If they disobey it, they will be kicked out. Government agencies have a lot of leeway when it comes to enforcing a vaccine mandate, under case law. We hope these verses encourage you and provide comfort, regardless of where youre at today. Tandon v. Newsom didn't center on a traditionally hot-button issue like abortion or LGBTQ rights; it focused on COVID-19. Normally, those who wish not to get vaccinated can request a religious exemption. Other popular passages include Psalm 30:2: "Lord, I called to you for help, and you healed me."; 1 Corinthians 6:19: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?"; and. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Reprints. Mather convinced one doctor by the name of Zabdiel Boylston to begin inoculations. My prescription is to read Dr. Watts, Psa. The English Calvinists who settled the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay built entire colonies around their reading of the Bible, making New England one of the most literate societies in the world. Most have their human resources department decide, while others have put in place panels to review the requests. The court didnt question the validity of the vaccine mandate, but found the way the DOE judged the requests to be legally lacking. Today this American approach to reading and the interpreting the Bible is front and center in the arguments made by evangelical Christians seeking religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination mandates. Over 94% of the close to 400,000 city workers were vaccinated as of early November. Both are common sense and simple actions everyone can take to protect themselves and protect other people. [4] William Cooper. While the Bible may not use the word "vaccine," it gives clear principles about medicine and handling disputes with other Christians. And I can trust my Lord It is Christlike to stick to your own prayer-guided convictions. In 2021, the multiplication of COVID vaccine mandates makes it clear that liberty of conscience is quickly fading from public consciousness. Staffers do not need to belong to a specific religious group but must prove they have sincerely held religious beliefs that go against the vaccine mandate. According to these ultraconservative Protestant Christian groups that thrive in the southern and southeastern US the so-called ' Bible belt' the entire Covid-19 induced pandemic is a hoax. from Multnomah Bible College (Portland, OR), an M.A. An outdoorsy, recreational type for decades, I wanted to remain active. Some members of the military are being required to be interviewed by chaplains, with the intent of determining the legitimacy of ones convictions. Some protesters reacted with violence in Michigan and Washington, D.C. A clean spirit encourages and supports other people with love. I am not seeking to support or oppose the COVID vaccine. Instead of receiving inoculation, Massey argued that one should trust the Lord. Some city agencies have been inundated with exemption requests, records show. I read the verse in the chapter and book context and realized there was no mention of physical illness in chapter 17 of Jeremiahs prophecy. Perhaps more time in prayer, less time reacting in fear and anger would help bring peace in this difficult, pandemic time. Jackie Gale has never had a single vaccination because she believes that the Bible . Social media allows these evangelical conspiracy theorists to become influential through their anti-vaccine rants. Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, and the Catholic Church have all issued statements saying that their religion. With science and scripture, a Baltimore pastor is fighting Covid-19 vaccine skepticism. If conscience does not permit you to receive the vaccine, seek to learn your options about a religious exemption. He rejected the legalism of pastors who sought to prohibit inoculation, and called for freedom of conscience in choosing or refusing inoculation.4 In the incredible wonder, beauty, and complexity of creation, there is chaos. I care for the work of Gods hands(Isaiah 64:8) as a steward to my small part of creation. During this Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many people are turning to the Word of God for guidance and comfort in these tumultuous times. It should be noted that liberty of conscience was recognized as being granted by God, and that it did not proceed from the state. The same year that Cotton Mather began inoculations in Boston, his father Increase Mather published a pamphlet entitledSeveral Reasons Proving that Inoculating or Transplanting the Small Pox is a Lawful Practice, and that it has been Blessed by GOD for the Saving of Many a Life.2In this work the elder Mather sought to discredit the death of an inoculation patient, and argued that inoculation was a way of keeping the sixth commandment. As a historian of the Bible in American life, I can attest that such shallow reading in service of political and cultural agendas has long been a fixture of evangelical Christianity. It was ascribed to by both Christians and Deists, and was foundational to Thomas Jeffersons authorship of theVirginia Statute of Religious Freedom. Salem Media Group. Likewise, Psalm 91 poetically points to the reality that we should trust in the fact that God does protect peopleeven in the midst of COVID-19. It's the claim that "only 6%" of death certificates show COVID-19 as the sole cause of death because "only 6%" don't also list comorbidities too, such as . There is still much to creation we cant control in the present time. Over this past week, multiple people inside and outside the church have asked about navigating matters of conscience and healthcare when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency to ensure hospital bed availability in case of a spike in admissions and Mayor Bill de Blasio to urge New Yorkers to wear masks in indoor public spaces. Number one, the currently sanctioned vaccines for Covid-19 interfere with the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) [19] in an essential way which impacts the body-soul unity. Legal experts note that many common, over-the-counter drugs, from Tylenol to Tums, have similarly used decades-old fetal cell lines. The letters flowed in as everyone from the pope to the prominent rabbis and imams has encouraged their followers to get the jabs. Another quotes a section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that says people should be left to their own counsel. In response to opposition, a Bostonian pastor by the name of William Cooper wrote a pastoral letter entitledA reply to the objections made against taking the small pox in the way of inoculation from principles of conscience. Ive learned to care for my body, my temple of God, by babying myself with good health habits, such as following a lifestyle full of fresh vegetables and fruit, regular sleep, and exercise. As inoculation was first introduced, there was significant opposition in the medical community and in the church. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Ben Purves is a pastor at Occoquan Bible Church in Woodbridge, VA. Ben joined OBCs staff in 2008. Press Releases. The Bible calls the human body "a temple of the Holy Spirit." The New Testament makes multiple references likening the human body to a temple. However, getting through the initial grief and changes in my life and moving on to a place of greater faith and understanding was not an easy journey. from Capital Bible Seminary (Lanham, MD), and is a D.Min. There are undoubtedly people of faith with relevant moral and, or, theological concerns that could merit religious exemption. If there was ever a great opportunity for cherry-pickingusing Gods Word in a way that supports your ideas or lifethis is it. Vaccines violate our ability to follow the teachings of the Bible. Instead of taking a position, he offered balanced counsel and argued for the individual to make a decision based upon faith, whether it be to receive inoculation or not, and for all to entrust themselves into the Lords providential care.7 Substantial Rehabilitations Could Help Explain Why. The most common verses came from 1. People with religious exemptions are not just looking for excuses, people get these exemptions because . New Testament scholar and charismatic Christian Craig Keener shot down arguments that the COVID-19 vaccine could represent the mark of the beast, noting the medical treatment is not accompanied. YouVersion, responsible for one of the most popular Bible Apps, reported an 80 percent increase in search during the pandemic, totaling 600 million worldwide. Sign up today.]. During the pandemic, many people have turned to Bible verses for strength and encouragement. He was rebellious at times. If they obey the convent, they will prosper in the land. Some of the top-searched verses not only addressed fear but also healing and justice. While Newton was not an advocate for inoculation, he advocated for liberty of conscience while calling his audience to trust the Lord. Religious freedom is a core value in the United States. As these questions come to the forefront, it is important that we consider how the church has applied Scripture to navigate similar issues in the past. Pandemic-related scripture about God removing sickness received 90 times more queries than average when the lockdowns started. I also try to eliminate stress from my life. every morning before breakfast, and pray it over until the cure is effected. The controversy surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine has been monumental, with conspiracy theories abounding. In the latest U.S. Supreme Court action on the matter, Justice Stephen Breyer rejected a filing by eight hospital staffers in Massachusetts seeking to block a vaccine mandate. It comforts me in my journey with an incurable illness. What Does the Bible Say About Coronavirus: Is it a Sign of the End Times? Let us not insist that anyone receives a medical treatment contrary to conscience, and let us not trample on the consciences of our brothers and sisters. Although everyone has had different experiences navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, we are always happy to provide emotional or spiritual support when needed. Last month, a federal appeals panel upheld New York States vaccine mandate for health care workers. 31 Bible Verses and Scriptures for Hope during COVID-19. Pox Americana: The Great Smallpox Epidemic of 1775-82 (New York: Hill and Wang, 2001). Download the Religious Exemption Forms (free) for Covid testing and masks . If I am to have the small-pox, I believe he is the best judge of the season and manner in which I shall be visited, so as may be most for his glory and my own good; and therefore I choose to wait his appointment, and not to rush upon even the possibility of danger without a call. or make a one-time gift. Very clearly the Torah says choose life.. Read more from Dr. According to Dr. Roger Barrier on Crosswalk.com, "Jesus often described the End Times as being birth pangs. Just as labor pains grow stronger and closer together, God will allow escalation in trials of all kinds to bring men to Christ. 13:17)? All told, some 12,000 municipal workers and an untold number of nonprofit employees have submitted religious or medical exemption letters, according to city records as of Nov. 11, the latest date available. Perhaps you have a more sophisticated form of this objection. Fear became the top search in the first few months of the pandemic, justice was popular in the spring and healing continued to trend throughout the year. . But our citizenship is in heaven. In the early 19th-century United States, biblical interpretation became more free-wheeling and individualistic. Philippians 4:6 made the top searched Bible verse list. It's brimming with declarations and promises of God's protection. Romans 15:13. Among those who were not inoculated, the mortality rate was 15 percent. When Does Forgiveness Not Lead to Reconciliation? Almost all the responses from SDPD staff reviewed by KPBS included references to specific Bible verses to justify not taking the COVID-19 vaccine. After the state of Vermont removed its vaccine exemption for nonreligious personal beliefs in 2016, the proportion of kindergarten students with a religious exemption shot up from 0.5 percent to 3 . Whether it concerns the global pandemic, your health, finances, the economy, or relationships, much of what is ahead of us in life remains uncertain. Bible Verses about Coronavirus: Scripture Quotes on Plagues, End Times and God's Judgment During this Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many people are turning to the Word of God for guidance and comfort in these tumultuous times. We must keep in mind that God is making a covenant with a particular nation in the Old Testament. I stay close to God through prayer and reflection. In reading multiple sermons and letters from this period, opposing sides of the inoculation debate would manipulate Scripture to advocate for their position, sometimes with both sides using the sixth commandment to argue their case. "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5 We hope these verses encourage you and provide comfort, regardless of where you're at today. And if you will mind your praying and preaching, and believe that the Lord can take care of her without any of your contrivances, I shall not blame you. In court filings, the nurses argued that they refused to buy one-way tickets to hell on the hysteria express.. This was passed by the General Assembly on January 16, 1786, and served as a forerunner to the First Amendments protection of religious liberty. These passages speak to the pulse of our nation, our worries, fears and concerns, along with the hope we have in God. Edmund Massey, A sermon against the dangerous and sinful practice of inoculation (London: Angel in Cornhill, 1722). I've seen 1 Corinthians 6:19 quoted in countless vaccine exemption requests. Scripture reminds us that God began good work in us and through us. Small differences over how to interpret the Bible often resulted in the creation of new sects such as the Latter Day Saints, the Restorationists (Disciples of Christ and Churches of Christ), Adventists and various evangelical offshoots of more longstanding denominations such as Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists and Quakers. Its message is based on the Bible. [6.] First, quick development of the COVID-19 vaccine does not mean it is unsafe. The Bible does not instruct us as to whether or not one should receive a vaccine, but it is clear when it comes to the doctrine of the liberty of conscience. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Bible Verses about Coronavirus: Scripture Quotes on Plagues, End Times and God's Judgment. In all its splendor, Solomons temple in Jerusalem housed the Spirit of God. Was not an advocate for inoculation, Massey argued that they refused to buy one-way tickets to hell the. 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