For religious reasons?

I have a question, many times you are obliged by law to do something (such as having your kids vaccinated) but if you say "I choose not to for religious reasons" you are not obliged anymore.

If you define a religion as a set of beliefs, then, is it legally ok to say (for example): "I choose not to have my kids vaccinated because I "believe" it will harm my kid"; is that legally acceptable?

In other words, do you need to be of certain "established" religion to avoid such obligations or can you just say "I choose not to do that because of my personal beliefs"?

PS. The vaccination is just an example, I would like an answer that covers most situations.For example: In Virginia there is a mandatory hearing screen test and the only excuse you can use to avoid it is for religious reasons.
Additional Details
Once again, vaccination is an EXAMPLE.

Cherry

If you choose not to have your children vaccination that's your business. But keep your kids away from all other children. They should not be allowed to go to school, parks or even shopping. The rick to other children is to great.

paul

This "imperfection" in the law has been tested from many angles for many reasons. As I have read the decisions, The US government only recognizes certain religions and not others. If you claim a "new" religions the Feds will challenge that religion and it must meet certain undefined standards to be exempted from certain laws. Now we both know that is not freedom of religion, but that is what the courts have decided. These tests have been for the purpose of taxes, drug use and exemption from military service and other reasons. Each reason has a separate judgment with varying decisions, my wording is my own very brief summary.

So the answer is no, you can not claim exemption because it is wrong and this is a free country.

fangtaiyang

If you are not of a particular religion that does not accept certain tests or vaccines, you don't have religious grounds for avoiding them.

USA pro

First off, you CAN say that you do not want to your kids vaccinated because of religious reservations.

Example: Say that someone owns a business and it is mandatory for all employees to receive the vaccine of some sort, unless they have a religious reservation. And say the shots are synthesized using tissues from unborn babies/embryos, most of the employees don't receive the shot because of "religious" reasons. Even though some of the employees are secular, they do BELIEVE it is wrong to receive the shot because it violates the right of life to unborn babies (a freedom that America lacks)

REVA M

It's not a religious belief if isn't apart of a religion. Personal beliefs are not religious beliefs. Religions have more than one person following them, they draw from morals and traditions, doctrines, and rituals and are organized. They tend to be uniform, with each person in the same sect believing in more or less the same thing. Personal beliefs you get from reading, and TV, and personal experience, etc are just that, personal beliefs.

Bubuh

No, religion must be recognized by the gov. Not just set of beliefs but set of belief recognized by gov as religion. And religion probably doesn't get you off all legal obligations like military draft.

Logic316 ~good guys wear blackâ™

The law cannot interfere with the practice of one's faith, but you cannot engage in child abuse and hide behind your religion as an excuse. Anything that's illegal when done for a secular reason, is also illegal if done for a religious one.

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