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Paul's avatar

Do I think parents should vaccinate their children against many diseases? Sure, particularly when the benefit exceeds the risk. But stop forcing people into participating in medical procedures they don't want. Government along with regulatory agencies, doctors and the pharmaceutical industry have proven time and time again they cannot be trusted. The authoritative approach only makes things worse.

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Sobshrink's avatar

I often wondered what the religious basis was for religious exemptions, since I'm pretty sure none of the sacred texts of any religion mentions vaccines. A brief Google search indicates that the basis is that vaccines interfere with "divine providence." (link below) That would be true of every medical treatment, so clearly there is a logical contradiction going on which legislation and courts should recognize but apparently don't. But in my experience, pointing out logical errors, as well as labeling people "selfish," are not effective strategies for changing minds. I have a dear and loving friend who is an Evangelical and embodies care for others. But she is terrified of vaccines because she has been convinced that they caused her son's autism, and she did not vaccinate the 3 kids born after the son with autism. When a mutual friend told her that she needs to think of other children's lives and not just her own (the mutual friend had a baby grandchild who had to fly to a hospital for treatment for a rare disease and was too young to be vaccinated), my religious friend said with what appeared to be genuineness, "I hadn't thought of that." She seemed truly troubled. I think these conversations need to be had with compassion and kindness IRL with those they trust for any change to occur.

https://www.vumc.org/health-wellness/resource-articles/immunizations-and-religion#:~:text=Some members decline vaccination on,Faith Tabernacle

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