1. Part 1: Request for Exemption and Statement of the Law
State your request for religious exemption and briefly state/reference the law (Title VII) that allows you such an exemption and/or accommodation.
2. Part 2: Request for Confidentiality
Ask that the letter remain confidential for good reason: first and foremost so that your letter and exemption request doesn’t get read by many eyes. Generally speaking, the fewer people charged with making the decision, the better.
Additionally, there are legitimate social consequences to consider (i.e. you don’t want your unvaccinated status made known so that those with preconceived prejudices/strong fears will discriminate and/or encourage others to marginalize or discriminate against you).
3. Part 3: Explain Your Sincerely Held Religious Beliefs that Prevent You from Taking the COVID–19 Vaccine:
You need to briefly explain your religious history and religious beliefs and why these beliefs prevent you from taking the COVID–19 vaccines.
No religious exemption request letter should be taken verbatim from a form/template. Since the credibility of your letter rests largely on how you express your individual personal religious belief(s), this section that defines your religious belief is essential in placing your unique signature on your description of these religious beliefs.
