I am writing this article in response to an article in The Western Journal by the same name which talks about a lawsuit that was recently heard by the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC.
The Federal Vaccine Mandate
On September 9th, 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden (Democrat from Delaware) signed an Executive Order which requires all federal employees of the United States Government to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 22nd, with exceptions only as required by law, or face termination. Some military personnel have different deadlines as established by their respective service. Since the issuance of the Executive Order, government leadership, and human resources / Equal Employment Opportunity personnel have worked tirelessly to determine exactly what that order means, how to execute it, and how best to handle any requests for religious or medical exemptions. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prevents employers from discriminate against an employee on the basis of that employee’s disability or sincerely held religious beliefs or practices, so the government must allow for these exemptions. Although it is apparent and rather obvious that the government is pressing hard to limit exemptions as much as possible.
The Lawsuit
“U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the District of Columbia on Thursday (October 28, 2021) issued a temporary restraining order that protects military and civilian employees from being fired while their requests for religious exemptions to Biden’s vaccine mandate are being heard, according to Fox News.” (Although Fox News isn’t exactly a reputable news source any more, it would be difficult for them to distort this information.)
Religious Beliefs
The U.S. Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines “religious beliefs” to include theistic beliefs (i.e. those that include a belief in God) as well as non-theistic moral or ethical beliefs about right and wrong that are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views.
Freedom of Religion
This is a win for freedom of religion. Although it doesn’t change anything for federal employees because the government had already announced that they wouldn’t fire anyone who has a religious exemption request pending, but hopefully this can help to force the government to take religious beliefs seriously.
As it is, employers must decide on a case by case basis whether your religious belief is valid and doesn’t create unnecessary hardship for the organization. Management personnel in the government and military will determine if they believe that the employee sincerely believes what they are claiming, and whether or not that belief is religious in nature. (Read: not many requests will get approved.) The Constitution specifically prevents the government from getting involved with religion or telling you what you can and cannot believe, yet that’s exactly what Biden is doing right now. Thankfully, on October 25, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its Technical Assistance guidance to provide employers with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding when they are required to exempt employees from the COVID-19 mandatory vaccination requirements due to religious reasons.
What to do
Stay true to yourself and your faith, and everything else will fall into place. The Holy Beard teaches that your body is a very strong and very delicate thing and that it can only function well when it is not being contaminated with non-natural substances. If your body needs help, there are natural sources that can help it, you just have to do the work to figure out what it needs. A contaminated body leads to a contaminated and chaotic mind which leads to an unhealthy spirit, which can be very difficult to heal.
The Temple’s Stance
Just to be clear, we are not ‘anti-vaccine’, but we are ‘anti vaccine mandate’… Every individual needs to have the ability to make their own choices based on what they believe is best for them.
What If You Are Affected by a Vaccine Mandate.
Unless you want to speak with me personally about it, I don’t know what your deeply held personal religious beliefs are, just as I don’t know your personal medical history. So when considering whether ‘to vax or not to vax’, do what you feel is best for you. And stay true to yourself and your faith. Would you jump off that bridge simply because “everyone else is doing it”? Do your research into the pros and cons, speak with your doctor, meditate on it… But follow your spiritual guidance. If you don’t know what this means or how to hear your spirit guide, reach out to me or another clergy for assistance.
Leave a comment below to let us know what you think. Do you agree or disagree? Tell us about it.
Education. Self-Sufficiency. Spiritual Growth.
References:
Don’t take my word for it. Check out these great sites for more information.
- Western Journal
- Fox News
- WhiteHouse.gov – COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
- Department of Labor – Religious Discrimination and Accommodation in the Federal Workplace
- The National Law Review
