I appreciate your web page info so much .... You help me to be confident and unstressed in the face of uncertainty.

Although many legal opinions we've reviewed state that asking one's religion is not legal, it's being asked by many employers.  HOW and IF you respond is up to you. Some employers are denying exemptions based on a religion's published stance on the shots (Example the Vatican requires vax and Israel is almost fully vaxed 3x.)  Some suggestions:

1. Christian or I am a follower of Jesus Christ.
2. Jewish or I am a student of the Torah.
3. My faith tradition does not have a label.
4. I do not identify with a particular religion.
5. My religion as an identifier is not relevant, only my personal beliefs.

This is a required question.  Your exemption must clearly explain your sincerely held belief.  It won't be accepted otherwise.  Here are list of common beliefs with scripture reference for Jewish and Christian faiths.  We've also include some not explicitly for those faiths. 

1. As a follower of Jesus Christ I believe that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.  (1 Cor 6:19-20; 2 Cor 7:1, Psalms 139: 13-166 )
2. I believe that my body should be kept pure as living sacrifice to God (Rom 12:1, 1Thes 5:23, 2 Cor 7:1)
3. I am commanded to not put anything unclean into my body.  (Deut 14:2-3, Dan 1:8)
4. I am commanded to to stay away from everything unclean. (2 Cor 6:17-18)
5. As a follower of Jesus Christ I believe that all life is sacred. (Psalm 127:3 )
6. I believe that abortion is murder.  (Exodus 20:13, Ps 139:13-16, Jer 1:5, Pr 6:16-17, Job 31:15) 
7. I believe knowingly participating in the fruit of murder is evil. (Rom 6:23, Jm 4:17, 1Jn 3:4, Gal 5:19-21)
8. According to Deut 4:15,  it is my duty and obligation to protect my body and health
9. I believe that God created me and that to alter that would be idolatry. (Ps 139::14)
10. My life is not mine. God directs all things.  (Job 33:4, 12:10, 14:5, Mt 10:30,)
11. My faith tradition does not allow me to inject potentially toxic or harmful substances.  To do so would be considered self harm which is forbidden.
12. The Holy Scriptures clearly state that I should not be coerced into a decision regarding my healthcare.  I was given freewill by my creator to make choices about all things. (Deut 30:19)
13. Health choices are also spiritual choices. All that I do is for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31, 6:19-20)
14. Taking any sort of medication or vaccination is a complete violation of my beliefs. (Exodus 15:26, Psalm 91) 
15. God has provided all that we need to live.   ( Psalm 103:2-3, 107:20, Deut 7:15)
16. I have had a personal revelation from God that instructed me to not take the shot.(how can anyone argue with that?) (Is30:21, Jn 10:27) 
17. I believe that I am guided by the Holy Spirit in all decisions (Jn 6:13, 2 Tim 1:7, Phil 4:7)
18. Nature dictates what we as humans should and shouldn't do with our bodies.  I sincerely believe that because the shot is not of nature, I should not take it. 
19. I believe that I cannot take something into my body that has the potential of causing harm and adversely affecting my health. if I believe the risks outweigh the benefit.  I sincerely believe this is a law of the universe.

This is the second required question.  You must clearly explain how the sincere beliefs you cited conflict with getting the Covid 19 shot.  Here are a few suggestions.  This is where you can cite medical data and other religious opinions to support your belief.

1. Because my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, eating, drinking, inhaling or injecting a potentially toxic substance violates that belief. (See VAERS data on injury and death) (2 Cor 7:1, Phil 4:8-9)
2. Because I believe that all life is sacred, and all of the available Covid 19 shots involved a cell line from an aborted fetus, I cannot receive it.  To do so would be a violation of my beliefs and my conscience. (Phil 4:8-9)  https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/you-asked-we-answered-do-the-covid-19-vaccines-contain-aborted-fetal-cells , https://lozierinstitute.org/update-covid-19-vaccine-candidates-and-abortion-derived-cell-lines/  
3. Because it is my duty and obligation  to protect my body and my health I have done research on the ingredients and the potential side effects of the Covid shots and I believe that the potential harm outweighs any potential benefit given that the data clearly shows it has harmed and killed more than 800,000 (see https://vaersanalysis.info/reports/) and that it doesn't prevent transmission (Walensky, CDC)
4. Because I believe that God is my healer, its is a violation of that belief to get the Covid inoculation.
5. Because I believe Abortion is murder and that even indirect participation is prohibited.  I would not knowingly use a product developed using aborted fetal tissue.
6. Because my faith would be violated if I knowingly injected a potentially harmful toxic or unclean substance. Currently the ingredients to the shots are not published (Under EUA that's not required), and those reports of what is in them indicate they are definitely unclean.
7. Because getting a vaccine that has not completed the full FDA (not done until 2023) testing process is risky and unwise.  The potential harm outweighs any perceived benefit.  This is a violation of conscience.
8. Because I believe that the shots may potentially alter my DNA and therefore God's plan for me. (https://rightsfreedoms.wordpress.com/2021/08/13/mit-harvard-study-suggests-mrna-vaccine-might-permanently-alter-dna-after-all/)
9. Because the Covid shots are potentially harmful as demonstrated by the number of deaths and injuries being reported to VAERS and the thousands of first hand accounts on social media.  Videos of people with seizures, paralysis and laying in hospital beds is horrible.  Even well known celebrities who were stridently pro-vax are now voicing their regrets after experiencing life altering side effects.  It's obvious to me, the Covid shot exhibits a level of risk not consistent with my beliefs that self harm is abhorrent to my creator.
10. Because I believe that any type of mandate clearly is at odds with freewill and choice.  I sincerely believe that any choice that has life altering ramifications should be made freely.  A mandate is at odds with this belief. And forcing people to take it under threat of termination is truly evil. (Rev 13:15-17, Eph 6:12)
11. Because I believe that choosing to rely on a vaccine as opposed to God, is a form of idolatry and that the mandate is placing the govt on a throne where only God belongs.. (Jude 1:17-19,Rev 13:7-9 )
12. Because I sincerely believe that because the shot is not of nature, I should not take it into my body to do so would violate my conscious and the laws of the universe.
13. Because taking the Covid shot is a violation of my conscience and sincerely held beliefs.
14. Because it is my personal belief that if God instructs me to do or not do something that I should do it because He's the creator of the universe.  I clearly believe God has directed me to NOT take the Covid shot.
15. Although I'm not opposed to vaccines in general, the Holy Spirit/God has counselled me to not take this shot.
16. Although I've gotten the shot, I've received clear guidance from God to not take any others. I've since learned (about ingredients, about fetal cells being used, about all the injuries that conflict with beliefs about self harm)  
17. Although I've had vaccines in the past, I've received clear guidance from God to not take this one.  My past actions inform but don't dictate my current beliefs.  (Is 43:18, Mt 6:34, 2 Cor 5:17)

Final required element.  Most companies are requiring testing as an accommodation as recommended by the CDC.  But that recommendation was before the mandate and did not take into account religious exemptions, only vaccination status. The attorneys we've consulted believe that it could be discrimination unless all are tested.

The company is not obligated to grant your accommodation and may suggest their own. (Most responses are boiler plate) Once your exemption is granted you can negotiate the accommodation such that it aligns with the beliefs you listed in your exemption.

If the company doesn't agree to your accommodation request, and it is truly objectionable, you can accept theirs "under protest and threat of termination", then you can consult an attorney to fight on your behalf or file a complaint via the EEOC, or file a civil rights complaint with your state Attorney General's office.

1. I do not seek any special accommodation out of the ordinary aside from an exemption from receiving the Covid 19 shots.
2. I only ask for exemption from the vaccine and testing.  I am aware that the substance on the testing swabs is listed as a carcinogen which causes cancer which also violate my sincerely held belief.
3. I seek no accommodation other than to be free from inhaling, ingesting or injecting potentially harmful substances.  That currently includes the covid shot and nasal swabs used for testing.
4. I ask that I not be treated any differently than my vaccinated coworkers. Considering that the vaccinated are getting, transmitting and dying from Covid at almost the same rates as the unvaccinated, any additional burdens on me because of a Religious Exemption should be considered discrimination and I would feel obligated to file a complaint. 

This question is not critical but many companies are asking it.  Some suggestions.

1. Since the beginning of the pandemic I have followed all the recommendations for hand washing and social distancing and I plan to continue that practice.
2. I contracted COVID and I have natural immunity from the disease which I understand is longer lasting than the shots.  However I will continue to  practice hand washing and social distancing.
3. I have practiced a doctor recommended protocol that has kept me safe from the virus for almost 2 years.  I will continue that doctor recommended protocol.
4. I'm young and healthy and I know that should I contract the virus that my chances are almost 100% survival and my chances of hospitalization are less than 1%.   Should I become ill, I'll quarantine for the duration, the same as if I have the flu and I'll seek proven treatments to limit the severity and duration of the illness. 
5. I work from home, I don't go onsite.  The only people I need to keep safe are my family.  So this question is not relevant.

For a medical accommodation this would be pertinent, but unless you plan on changing your mind about your beliefs, it's irrelevant.  Some suggestions.

1. For the duration of all mandates.  I don't anticipate that my beliefs will change as they are SINCERELY HELD.
2. Until Covid is eradicated from the planet.
3. Until Jesus comes back.
4. I don't know, I'll ask G-d and get back to you.
5. It is the natural order of things that this virus will mutate until it is no worse than a cold or seasonal flu.  Then a covid shot will no longer be deemed necessary.
6. I believe aliens are going to save us from ourselves.  Let's ask ET.  (just kidding)

This is an opportunity to stand up for yourself and your rights against clearly invasive and illegal questioning of your beliefs.  The Supreme Court has narrowed what employers can ask but some are stepping over the line according to many attorneys.  Here are some suggested answers extracted from the Anonymous Opinion Regarding Invasive Questions  and derived from other sources.

1. Asking for additional private medical information to support my Religious Exemption is a violation of my privacy, religious liberty under the First Amendment and clear injunctions of the Supreme Court precedent in  United States v. Seeger(1965) 380 U.S. 163, 165 ,  Welsh v. U.S. (1970) 398 U.S. 333, 340  and  Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru (2020) 140 S.Ct. 2049, 2070 , as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I have submitted the required information you need to process my Religious Accommodation.
2. I understand according to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and several Supreme Court rulings, that I must inform you of my Sincerely Held Belief, how the Covid shot is in conflict with those beliefs and that I must notify you of my necessary accommodation to resolve that conflict.  Any other questions are a violation of my privacy.  Thank you for respecting my privacy and civil rights.  
3. The COVID-19 vaccines aren't truly vaccines according to the traditional definition.  The are gene mutation shots that cause our bodies to create the very spike proteins that the virus does, therefore questions about traditional vaccines is out of the scope of the exemption and I am not obligated under HIPPA laws to answer.
4. Should you need additional assurances that my beliefs are deeply held, I can provide an affidavit to that effect.  Here's one you can edit and send.

But if you're not comfortable with standing up to this line of questioning and feel compelled to answer, some suggestions:

1. I would not knowingly use a product that was developed or manufactured using a fetal cell line.
2. I would know knowingly use a product in which the risk outweighed the potential benefits.  
3. I would know knowingly use a product that violated my sincerely held beliefs.

Finally, be firm but polite.  The HR people are doing an awful job under awful circumstances.  They, by and large, are not the enemy.  If you were in their shoes how would you want to be treated?

"I look forward to receiving confirmation that you have approved my exemption as I have clearly complied with the law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and applicable precedents."

Wouldn't it be great if some of them were so impressed by the people that submitted Religious Exemptions that they found or renewed their faith?

At this point you might feel like you  want to put the company on notice that you understand your rights under law by citing EEOC or state specific laws.

Example if you live in AZ:

• The Arizona State legislature amended the Arizona Revised Statutes 23-206 that took effect on September 28th, 2021.  It states that  "If an employer receives notice from an employee that the employee's sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances prevent the employee from taking the covid-19 vaccination, the employer shall provide a reasonable accommodation unless the accommodation would pose an undue hardship and more than a de minimus cost to the operation of the employer's business."
• My accommodation doesn't pose an undue hardship, I'm not asking for the company to provide anything that it doesn't already, therefore I look forward to receiving notification that my exemption has been accepted.

Example if you live in TX

Governor Abbott issued an EO  expanding the reasons one may apply for an exemption.

• " No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine by any individual, including an employee or a consumer, who objects to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, based on a religious belief, or for medical reasons, including prior recovery from COVID-19. I hereby suspend all relevant statutes to the extent necessary to enforce this prohibition. " 
• Read it HERE.

Example if you live in IA

Governor Reynolds signed a bill protecting Religious Exemptions and giving people who are fired for not getting vaccinated unemployment benefits.

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/89/HF902.pdf

You might want to provide a statement of faith.  

If that makes you feel more comfortable, then follow your conscience.  There are several exemption letters with great phrasing located in the FILES and DOCS

You might want to send them a copy of the Liberty Counsel letter posted below.

Perhaps reminding them that you have rights and you know what those rights are would make you feel more comfortable.  It might also help others who aren't so bold.  Download it HERE.

You might want to explain why you're so brief, assuming you were vague.

• "My answers to the questions are clear but intentionally brief.  I understand that I have submitted answers in compliance with EEOC law to notify you of my exemption.  And I understand that your office has been deluged with requests, therefore I feel my submission is respectful of your time and my coworkers."

We sincerely hope this helps you compose an Religions Exemption submission that is accepted the first time.  If it's not, don't panic.  Look at our page on how to appeal.

Just a reminder, nothing on this site is legal advice, only information and suggestions.  Please seek counsel if you feel you need additional help.