Has anyone here on this forum (or someone you know of) been able to successfully get the religious exemption from the covid jab yet?
I submitted my paper work, and I'm not sure when I'll be hearing back, as there's no need for me to file right now. Working from home, and the group being this way for years to come (based on what I've heard in meetings) gave me the other option of not submitting any paperwork at all. I figured I would anyway, just in case that window of later closed. Having something officially on file might be necessary later should the rules change suddenly.
I basically outlined that as Christians we're considered the "temple" of God's Spirit, and that we need to be careful with that with regards to a vaccine with new publicly available technology like mRNA whose long-term safety remains to be seen. Also how putting my health or even life at risk goes against my stewardship, including the means to provide for my family. That plus cells derived from aborted fetal cells. Finally mentioning that it is a "sin" to partake in something with "doubts" as mentioned clearly in Romans 14. I worked all these points together and had my local church pastor include his own letter on that. We'll have to see what happens.
If we truly live in a fair and just society including my own company it's a home run.
But given we're not, it's really in God's hands now.
At the end of the day if presented a choice to starve or put my health at risk - both are at odds with providing for my household. In which case I'd have to choose one - which probably means the jab. I really don't feel responsible for the aborted babies from decades ago who's cells have been used to grow other ones ever since. I never asked for that. That's on someone else's head. As for "doubts" with regards to Romans 14 mentioend above - I'd be making firm decision no to starve, and concluding this is the only way to continue working and providing. I don't think this is the "mark of the beast". I don't even see such a mark as literal since the "mark" mentioned in Rev 14 is symbolic, thus the one in Rev 13 is symbolic. I think the mark is where one's spiritual allegiance is. So until they require I join a watered down religious mix or to renounce Christ, I don't see any of this as spiritually fatal. Just a crappy earthly situation.
If a private company like mine is requiring it, that its a matter of time before they all do. I'm not willing to job hop in today's market. I'll stay put and trust in God to protect me from the vipers venom, like He did with Paul in Acts 27 on the Island of Malta.