As the push for exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates has increased, some faith leaders are saying “no” to such exemptions. First Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress of Downtown Dallas is one of the religious leaders in the United States who aren’t endorsing exemptions from COVID-19 vaccines for their congregants.
Rev. Robert Jeffress has come out to say that he and his staff are “neither offering nor encouraging members to seek religious exemptions from the vaccine mandates.”
According to an email, the megachurch’s senior pastor told The Associated Press that “there is no credible religious argument against the vaccines.” The email continued, “Christians who are troubled by the use of a fetal cell line for the testing of the vaccines would also have to abstain from the use of Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Ibuprofen, and other products that used the same cell line if they are sincere in their objection.”
Jeffress also compared his positions on vaccination and abortion on Fox News, saying, “We talk about life inside the womb being a gift from God. Well, life outside the womb is a gift from God, too.”
Back in the spring, First Baptist hosted vaccine clinics, where Jefferess encouraged his congregants to get vaccinated so that they could partake in safe in-person worship.