One of Drunk Ex-Pastors’ listeners submitted a question during our last podcast concerning vaccines: Should parents just submit to their kids’ doctors’ recommendations regarding vaccines? And what should their attitude be toward those who refuse to vaccinate their children?
First off, I think I speak for both of us when I say that we welcome these kinds of difficult and many-layered questions on issues of such significance, because let’s be honest, if there’s anyone on earth qualified to tackle such nuanced matters, it’s two drunk guys with absolutely no training in any related field. But we are ex-pastors, so.
For my part, here are some issues to consider:
1. Is the malady for which I am being asked to vaccinate my child a deadly one like, I don’t know, cholera, or is it something more minor, like the flu?
2. Are these supposedly antiquated diseases really making a comeback due to un-vaccinated children contracting and spreading them?
3. Is it true that vaccinated kids have nothing to worry about when playing with un-vaccinated kids since, you know, they got vaccinated?
4. Is it true that there is a link between vaccinations and autism? Where do the peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals land on this issue?
5. In whose interest is it to administer vaccines to my child? Is it purely for the child’s own good, or is there also pressure on physicians by pharmaceutical companies to encourage this practice?
6. Are parents within their rights to refuse vaccines for their kids but then insist on sending them to school with vaccinated kids? Are schools within their rights to demand their students be vaccinated?
7. What other things do those on both sides of this debate believe? Do any of them hoard gold, deny the moon-landing, think 9/11 was a conspiracy, or churn their own butter?
(And of course, we ex-pastors don’t have a dog in this fight since no disease is stronger than prayer!)
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PS – You can listen to our insightful and penetrating analysis of this issue below, and if you have any comments or issues you’d like us to address in our next episode, submit them over at the podcast page.
Ok, per your request to comment about this very controversial issue. I serendipitously have been reading up on case law, and the constitution. And there has been a whistleblower at the CDC that is saying that they purposely buried the undeniable fact that the MMR shot is directly responsible for autism. This was buried and the american public have been lied to since 2004. About this discovery.
It a fundamental parental right protectected under the fourteenth amendment of the constitution to not be intruded upon by state or government, when it comes to what religion we choose to raise our children in, how we choose to educate our children (I.e. public, private, homeschool), how we medicate our children is not to be infringed upon due to the natural bond between parent and child the parent will always act in the best interest of their child.
Lately, it is very disturbing to me how our rights as parents are grossly and viciously violated. Look up your parental rights that are protected under the constitution, and assert them when necessary. Don’t find yourself in a situation like I am in. It will make you doubt God for allowing such an irreversible emotional, and psychological effects on your children that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
I think the issue is bigger than a Yes/No answer. Most are either 100% all in, everyone MUST be vaccinated; or the anti-vaxxer stating that all vaccines are evil and it is just a plot to take over our rights and force our kids to be sick.
I speak from educated and personal standpoints. I’ve done a ton of research, both peer review and the off the market research for the opposing view. A lot of shady stuff has been done by both.
From a personal experience, I had several reactions to vaccines as a child that we were not aware was exactly that. At 26 I received a TDaP shot as a result of cutting my leg pretty badly on metal (I was given the MMR at the same time since I couldn’t recall the last time I’d had one). Within 12 hours I was unable to speak, had a fever of 105.6, was shaking uncontrollably and having seizure like convulsions. A friend rushed me to the ER, where they gave me fluids, monitored me for a few days, medicated me and said that based on this one reaction I should never risk a vaccination again, let us treat the disease, it’s easier than death. And I haven’t.
As a result I don’t vaccinate my son either. My daughter is not biologically mine and had vaccines before I met them – she fared just fine.
I don’t think the question should be a all or nothing question – vaccines have shown to eradicate certain diseases in other countries and that is BEAUTIFUL. But they have also shown to cause severe damage to some who receive them, which is awful. Continuing to deny that these sometimes life saving vaccines can also take lives is the problem. No medication is one size fits all. Nor should we consider it to be. We need to work on finding out what is going on at a mitochondrial level that is causing some, like me, to have severe reactions. And for those we take a herd mentality – Your vaccinated to protect me. And that is a good thing.
And we need to look at the level and quantity of vaccines we are giving babies. Does a non sexually active, non drug abusing, non needle sharing day old infant really need the Hep B vaccine? NO – Not at all. In fact, it is crazy to think so. We do some foolish things – and accept some foolish things. But in the end all every parent can do is research for themselves and choose what is best for them and their children.