Mandatory vaccination and conscientious objection
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Mandatory vaccination and conscientious objection
Mandatory vaccination and conscientious objection

Author(s): René Balák
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warmińsko-Mazurskiego w Olsztynie
Keywords: vaccination, conscientious objection, religious freedom, freedom of conscience, human dignity.

Summary/Abstract: Mandatory vaccination is a bioethical issue that has stirred controversy in the moral and medical fields, especially for Catholic parents. Arguments for claiming conscientious objection are vaccinations developed and made on the basis of a vast number of abortions, intoxication of children with poisonous adjuvants in vaccines and negative side effects of vaccination. The right to conscientious objection is the realization of the protection of one’s personal religious freedom and freedom of conscience. Conscientious objection or freedom of conscience in mandatory vaccination means that a person is obliged to obey the voice of his conscience, even though society or state expect and legislatively demand something different. The state, which does not accept conscientious objection of parents, automatically becomes totalitarian, as it denies a human being the freedom of his conscience. The child’s parent, who claims conscientious objection on the basis of justified arguments, must be unconditionally protected against any criminal actions and against any legal, discipline or economic harm. Conscientious objection and its legislative implementation into the legal system about mandatory vaccination ought to protect every parent or child patient, respecting his religious beliefs and resulting moral attitudes.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 15
  • Page Range: 67-82
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: English