My COVID-19 Vaccine Religious Exemption Request Letter
Photo: Michal Jarmoluk
Like many companies, my day-job employer is requiring that all employees get vaccinated for COVID-19. I submitted a religious exemption request, and I thought I’d share my letter of explanation here, in case it’s helpful for anyone else in the same situation who is thinking through the issues and trying to figure out how to word their explanation.
If you like what I say here, feel free to take and adapt the letter for yourself. I can’t guarantee it will be successful, obviously; I don’t even know yet if it will be successful for me [see update at end of article]. But if this explanation is not successful, I don’t know what would be.
A few notes about this letter.
First, just to give credit where credit is due, the language in a few of the sentences is borrowed from a sample letter provided by Liberty Counsel here.
Second, if you decide to adapt my letter, then, as a matter of integrity, make sure you truly believe what you’re saying you believe; if there’s any part that doesn’t apply to yourself and your convictions, take it out.
For example, as worded, this letter takes the stance that getting the vaccine is simply not an option, due to my religious beliefs. The logical implication is, if this exemption request is not accepted, I will have to find a new job. If you’re not willing to go there, then you may want to soften some of the language.
Also, on a similar note, be sure to emphasize that you are explaining your own personal beliefs, not the beliefs of whatever religious group you belong to—because the group you belong to might come out at some point and say the opposite of what you believe.
(For example, the Pope has now said not only that it’s “morally acceptable” get the vaccine, but that it’s a “moral obligation,” so Catholics who personally believe otherwise had better make clear that it’s on account of their own personal religious beliefs. —Just to clarify, I’m not a Catholic; this was just an example.)
For that reason, although I reference “my faith tradition” at one point in the letter, I also emphasize that what I’m saying is “my personal religious conviction.”
Now for a general note.
Some employers, so I’ve heard, are requesting that employees provide letters from a spiritual leader (e.g., a pastor), or are otherwise trying to evaluate their employees to determine whether their religious beliefs are “sincerely held.” There is something very bizarre about that. An employer has no authority or ability to certify what is or is not an employee’s sincerely held belief.
So, if your employer takes that approach, I would suggest you be prepared to object and point out, with all due respect, that they will have to take your word about your beliefs, because only God is able to look at a person’s heart (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Corinthians 2:11).
OK. With no further ado…
Here’s the letter:
P.S. If you decide to use this letter, there’s no obligation to let me know, but I would love it if you did. Contact me to tell me where you’re located and what you’re up against.
UPDATE 9/9/21: My exemption request was approved.
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