Air Force Denies 99.8% Of Religious Exemption Requests

The U.S. Air Force made headlines this week when it was proudly exclaimed by many in the media that they granted 9 religious exemptions to the vaccine…

What some of these stories fail to mention in the headline or the top-line is that while these religious exemptions have been granted, 3,000 have been denied.

This is an abysmal ratio, and it shows that the military in general may not be so keen on religious freedom and bodily autonomy.

The Air Force failed to comment on the circumstances which granted these 9 religious exemptions while denying 3,000 others, nor are they likely to comment on it in the future.

We can only hope that they change their policy and begin to grant more exemptions—even if they have to do it in a quiet, and face-saving manner.

Here’s what we currently know:

NEW: The Air Force granted its first batch of religious exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine but won't comment on the circumstances, including whether the service members were already on their way out. The latest from me & @KToropin at @Militarydotcom: https://t.co/PWOOjf7VOW

— Thomas Novelly (@TomNovelly) February 8, 2022

Those who get an exemption and are allowed to stay in the service may, however, see an impact on their jobs. https://t.co/wdxqS7J2mf

— 13 Action News (@13abc) February 9, 2022

The Epoch Times attempted to illuminate the recent developments:

As of Feb. 3, a total of 3,458 requests for religious accommodation out of 3,539 initial requests have been rejected by the U.S. Marine Corps, while 81 requests are pending review, court papers show.

The U.S. Coast Guard has denied 578 of 1,308 initial requests for religious exemption from the vaccine mandate, and 715 requests are under review.

The Air Force’s latest data states that as of Feb. 7, the Air Force has “administratively separated” 142 active-duty airmen.

 

Apparently the govt is in the business of deciding what thought, philosophy and practice is and isn't "religious" enough, forgetting the part about shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…https://t.co/pDy4YhUFgc

— Billy JamesESQ (@Transnewsbender) February 9, 2022

Hot off the virtual presses: It would be nice to have some answers on when exactly these religious exemptions were approved, on what grounds, etc etc etc. But here's what we do know. https://t.co/3w2zNlHuwk

— Rachel S. Cohen (@rachelkaras) February 9, 2022

Washington Examiner provided more statistics:

More than 5,700 airmen requested a religious exemption, 2,556 of which are still pending.

Of the 3,222 requests that have been denied, 732 are still in the appeals process, and 443 appeals have been denied, per Air Force data.

The nine airmen who were granted the exemption represent less than 0.2% of Air Force applicants.