COVID RESOURCES

Religious Exemptions

Since more and more employers and schools are mandating Covid vaccinations and many of our members object to the vaccines, we want to make some resources available to help if you wish to file for a religious exemption. Here are three resources for you. Click the “+” sign to the right to see more info. 

 

 

The applicable law that protects your religious freedom in the workplace
In accordance with the Missouri State Constitution  Article I Section 5.  Religious freedom — liberty of conscience and belief — limitations — right to pray — academic religious freedoms and prayer. — “That all men and women have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; that no human authority can control or interfere with the rights of conscience”,

and in accordance to The Civil Rights Act of 1964, “SEC. 2000e-2. [Section 703]

(a) Employer practices

It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer –

(1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; or

(2) to limit, segregate, or classify his employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

How to apply for religious exemptions

Ask your employer if they have a specific form for you to fill out or if they want you to submit a written request on your own. This PDF from Informed Health Choice Missouri has some excellent information and suggestions about how to apply for religious exemptions. In addition to their suggestions, we would also point out that some companies/schools are rejecting religious exemption applications that say one objects based on moral or conscience reasons. They separate moral and conscience from faith. So just specify that your objections are religious rather than assuming that they will understand that your morals and your conscience are inextricable from your religious beliefs.

Click here:

Religious exemption letter tips for HC workers 

For religious exemption forms for children, college students, teachers, city employees, and general employees:

Click here:

United Solutions Religious Exemptions 

Letter from the church supporting religious exemptions to Covid vaccines
If your employer or school asks you to provide a letter from your church to substantiate your religious objections, you can print and present this pdf file of a letter written by one of our pastors. We do not recommend that you give this letter to them unsolicited, but have a copy of it ready if you are filing a religious exemption form. Then if they request it, you will be prepared. You can also use this letter as a resource to help you identify your own personal religious objections. But please do not copy and paste it. If you must give them a written explanation of your objections, write it in your own words so that they know you are honestly presenting your own objections.

Click here:

Signed Covid Letter

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