A VERY BIG PROBLEM

Personally, I could care less what happens to DSHS workers, or government job drones … but what is happening with them will eventually trickle down to the rest of us – and that does concern me.

{A government agency "discussing the nature of your religious belief(s)" with ministers or "scholars"?} BIG NO!

This is exactly WHY our American Constitution was drafted and worded the way it is.

NO! NO! NO!

Personally, I wouldn't trust anyone referring to themselves as ministers (they've gone totally over to the dark side); ditto for 'scholars'. WTF: those minions have absolutely NO control over our lives, whatsoever!

I wonder if the government is just as studiously 'studying' islam, confucianism, hinduism, atheism, and paganism ... or are they only focusing on Christianity? We know they are only giving lip service to anything related to {science} because they sure as Hell aren't following it, themselves while forcing it on everyone else. BTW, science is a self-serving religion based on cultic hypnotic hypothesis based on opinion, with little to no facts at all figured in.

Is science based on fact?

"Fact" in a scientific context is a generally accepted reality … but still open to scientific inquiry … AS OPPOSED TO AN ABSOLUTE TRUTH – WHICH IS NOT, AND HENCE NOT PART OF SCIENCE.

Hypotheses and theories (which are ‘general accepted realities) are generally based on objective inferences (drawn conclusions about the meaning of a thing by looking at the rest of the structural evidence, and inferring the definition: in other words, OPINION under the guise of reasoning).

Every hour of every day I wonder why rational thinking Americans are standing still for this blatant demonrat power grab steeped in bigoted hatred, and simmering with communist/socialist agenda …

There is a very big problem in America, for Americans.

People had better start waking up (and I don’t mean in the hateful blm manner), and taking the reins to this country back. Politicians and educators have become entirely too big for their britches – it’s time to bring them to heel.

**********

Jim WalshRestore Washington Zone 3

Here's a COVID shot exemption application form from WA DSHS, applicable to many healthcare workers. It's unclear whether this is the same form all WA state agencies will be using--but it should be useful as a template for understanding how the state plans to implement the current Governor's recent edict.

Some of the language seems to follow "reasonable accommodation" standards established by laws like the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

But some doesn't. For example, this section may raise constitutional problems: "the Department of Social and Health Services will need to obtain additional information and/or documentation about your religious practice(s) or belief(s). This may include discussing the nature of your religious belief(s), practice(s) and accommodation with your religion’s spiritual leader (if applicable) or religious scholars to address your request for an exemption."

A government agency "discussing the nature of your religious belief(s)" with ministers or "scholars"? That's problematic. It seems to conflict with 1A of the US Constitution and Article 1, Sec 11 of the WA Constitution.

Here's the entire form (thanks to commenter Carol VanArnam for sharing it):

SENT TO ALL DSHS EMPLOYEES ON 8/16:

THIS FORM INCORPORATES THE REQUIREMENTS OF PROCLAMATION 21-14 MANDATING A COVID-19 VACCINE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES. THE PROCLAMATION STATES:

To the extent permitted by law, before providing a sincerely held religious belief accommodation to the requirements of this Order, individuals or entities for which Health Care Providers work as employees, contractors, or volunteers and State Agencies must document that the request for an accommodation has been made and the document must include a statement regarding the way in which the requirements of this order conflict with the religious observance, practice, or belief of the individual.

Instructions for employees: Please return this form and your response to religiousrequest@dshs.wa.gov. We would appreciate your cooperation by completing your response no later than August 25th. This still allows enough time for you to determine which of the three vaccines you can receive based on the table below.

Vaccine

Series dose requirement

First dose no later than

Second dose

Completed series

Fully vaccinated = two weeks past final dose (must be by 18 October)

Pfizer

2 doses, 21 days apart

09/13/21

10/04/21

10/04/21

10/18/21

Moderna

2 doses, 28 days apart

09/06/21

10/04/21

10/04/21

10/18/21

Janssen/Johnson & Johnson

Single dose

10/04/21

N/A

10/04/21

10/18/21

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Human Resource Business Partner.

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION REQUEST FORM – COVID-19 VACCINATION

The Department of Social and Health Services will provide reasonable accommodations to employees with religious beliefs/practices, unless providing such accommodations would pose an undue hardship.

1.   Describe below the religious belief or practice that you believe necessitates this request for accommodation. Please attach additional pages if needed to provide a full response.

2.   Please explain how your sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance prevents you from receiving an authorized COVID-19 vaccination. Please attach additional pages if needed to provide a full response.

3.   If the request for accommodation is temporary, please identify the anticipated date the accommodation is no longer needed.

_______________________(Date)

In some circumstances, the Department of Social and Health Services will need to obtain additional information and/or documentation about your religious practice(s) or belief(s). This may include discussing the nature of your religious belief(s), practice(s) and accommodation with your religion’s spiritual leader (if applicable) or religious scholars to address your request for an exemption.

If reqested, can you provide documentation to support your belief(s) and need for an accommodation? _______ Yes ______ No

If no, please explain why below. (Please attach additional pages if needed to provide a full response.)

Employee Name:

Personnel Number:

Administration/Division:

Version 1: Updated 8/13/2021

3

I certify that I have read and understood the information provided in this request, and that it is true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.

____________________________________________________

Employee Signature (electronic signature is sufficient)

___________________________________

Date