A Christian man who has dedicated his life to his faith, Reverend Marshall wanted to address Christians who seek religious exemptions for public health protocols during a global pandemic.
Turning to his Bible and his years of education and experience, Marshall looked for Biblical justification for anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers who demand religious exemptions.
Marshall, who lives in Enumclaw, Washington with his wife Elisha and their children, found his interpretation of what the Bible grants him agency to do was different than those who said they refused pandemic because of their faith.
Marshall wrote:
"What does your faith exempt you from?""Religious Exemption is a term I have heard more in the past three months than the rest of my life combined! Recently I was asked if Christians should be able to claim Religious Exemption when public health is in jeopardy.""Their question made me ask myself, 'What does faith in Jesus Christ exempt me from?'""Below is a partial list of what came to mind. My faith in Jesus Christ exempts me from:""- Putting my wants above the needs of others""'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.' - Philippians 2:3, 4""- Claiming my freedom in Christ as liberty to act without responsibility.""'You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.' - Galatians 3, 13, 14""- Refusing to protect the most vulnerable in our midst.""'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' - Matthew 25:40""Therefore, my 'Religious Exemption' requires that I receive the COVID vaccine to safeguard life and wear a mask to care for my neighbor.""Claiming the Christian faith is no jurisdiction to refuse these measures. By invoking the name of Jesus to claim exemption, you are using the Lord's name in vain and therefore sinning.""Now, you may have your own political or personal reasons not to do so, but please, stop claiming your faith in Jesus Christ as justification."
https://www.comicsands.com/pastor-marshall-christian-religious-exemption-2655075172.html
Turning to his Bible and his years of education and experience, Marshall looked for Biblical justification for anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers who demand religious exemptions.
Marshall, who lives in Enumclaw, Washington with his wife Elisha and their children, found his interpretation of what the Bible grants him agency to do was different than those who said they refused pandemic because of their faith.
Marshall wrote:
"What does your faith exempt you from?""Religious Exemption is a term I have heard more in the past three months than the rest of my life combined! Recently I was asked if Christians should be able to claim Religious Exemption when public health is in jeopardy.""Their question made me ask myself, 'What does faith in Jesus Christ exempt me from?'""Below is a partial list of what came to mind. My faith in Jesus Christ exempts me from:""- Putting my wants above the needs of others""'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.' - Philippians 2:3, 4""- Claiming my freedom in Christ as liberty to act without responsibility.""'You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.' - Galatians 3, 13, 14""- Refusing to protect the most vulnerable in our midst.""'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' - Matthew 25:40""Therefore, my 'Religious Exemption' requires that I receive the COVID vaccine to safeguard life and wear a mask to care for my neighbor.""Claiming the Christian faith is no jurisdiction to refuse these measures. By invoking the name of Jesus to claim exemption, you are using the Lord's name in vain and therefore sinning.""Now, you may have your own political or personal reasons not to do so, but please, stop claiming your faith in Jesus Christ as justification."
https://www.comicsands.com/pastor-marshall-christian-religious-exemption-2655075172.html