Vaccines and The Judaeo-Christian Worldview

Vaccines and The Judaeo-Christian Worldview

Vaccines and their role in human health is an important topic.  Christians are divided in how we interpret scripture in the Bible but we are unified in believing that the Bible’s teaching is alive and true. Exploring scripture may help Christians develop an open dialogue and reason in support or against vaccines although it undoubtedly creates a divide. 

In this opinion-based article, you will read why some Christians argue that vaccines oppose God’s design and great plan for His sons and daughters. It is critical to note that whatever choice you make, the topic of vaccination is not a salvation issue.

The intent of this article is to respectfully share information, pose questions, and engage in discussion. As Christians, let’s explore this subject together, and stop treating vaccination as a taboo topic of conversation.

The Vaccine Truth Debate

Over the last 2 decades, unique fields of science including metagenomics and epigenetics have brought insight into how the human body co-exists and even benefits from microbes. (34) During this time there has been a rise in the anti-vaccination community and a paradigm shift in the blind trust that we have bestowed upon the medical field.

Let us first take a glimpse at supporting evidence used by the anti-vaccination community in the argument that the credit to vaccines is a fallacy coming to light.

Vaccines Eradicated Polio – Or Did They?

Is polio actually eradicated?  In 2016 pediatric doctor Vidya Krishnan asked the question: “What is the value of this polio-free certification when nearly 50,000 children fall prey to polio-like flaccid paralysis every year?” (1)

Read one free chapter from Dr. Suzanne Humphries evidenced-based book Dissolving Illusions and the possible reasons for the “disappearance” of polio are quickly unveiled. 

In her book, she explains that the disappearance of the iron lung is not a sign that polio vaccination programs were effective. Instead, the more efficient and improved endotracheal ventilator has replaced the iron lung that was once utilized to help individuals with polio breathe.

Dr. Humphries further details supportive evidence that the use of various toxins, such as the commercial insecticide DDT, and the removal of these contaminants in highly affected areas is more likely the reason why polio has disappeared, not vaccines.  In fact, the polio vaccine was released in 1955 when the cases of polio were already down.  

The book Silent Spring was an environmental science book that was published in 1962 and outlined the problems with insecticides like DDT and the links with polio and many other health issues.  It led to the widespread banning of the use of DDT in 1972.

There was also a widespread change in the way polio diagnosis was recorded.  Before the advent of the vaccine in 1955, aseptic meningitis, coxsackie virus, and polio were all diagnosed as polio.  After 1955, they were diagnosed as separate conditions and this also lowered the overall total polio cases.

Smallpox: An 18th Century Filth Disease

Outbreaks of smallpox and associated deaths were continuing to occur after mandatory vaccination. In fact, the more vaccinations that were given, the greater degree of smallpox deaths increased.  In 1872 the people of Leicester, England saw that the smallpox vaccine was so ineffective that Leicester was the site of many anti-vaccine demonstrations. (28)  

Today, quarantines are modeled after this historical event referred to as the Leicester Method because the people of Leicester rejected compulsory vaccines and instead chose quarantine. (2)

The vector of transmission for smallpox may have been overlooked.

In 1946, Dr. Charles Campbell closely observed the relationship between the common bedbug and individuals affected by smallpox. He found that the infection did not spread to unaffected individuals when placed in an environment free of vermin. (29)

Following experimentation with quarantine, improved economic development, better nutrition, a better-equipped health system, and disinfection protocols, smallpox rates diminished. The declining incidence of the virus in circulation occurred after mandatory vaccination programs were implemented in the late 1800s and before mass smallpox vaccination continued through the 1900s. 

Biblical Health Parallels

In his book, The Signature of God, Biblical teacher, scholar, and author Grant R. Jeffrey describes why the Laws of Leprosy in Leviticus 13–15 may be regarded as the first laws of sanitation. (31) God’s law defined how people should practice good hygiene by washing with running water, cleaning their clothes, and even implementing quarantine procedures for those afflicted by leprosy. 

It wasn’t until the 1980s that national hand hygiene guidelines were adopted in health care. In the years since the benefit of effective hand hygiene practices has been further explored and recommended for the everyday approach to reduce the spread of infection. (32)

Measles

The CDC reports a 1.6% measles-associated death rate in 1920. Analysis of US cases and deaths when children regularly contracted measles between 1940 and 1960 shows the mortality rate to be 1 in 10,000 cases and even fewer if you include adults in the statistics. By 1955 the death rate was fewer than 3 in 10,000,000 cases.

When the measles vaccine was licensed for use in 1963, fatalities associated with measles was negligible. (4, 30)

Today, we understand the critical role that vitamin A plays in combating viral infections like measles. Preventing vitamin A deficiency in third-world countries, vitamin A is believed to be associated with a 25% decrease in child mortality.  Health practitioners even accept that contracting childhood illnesses has lifelong benefits. (3) 

Natural herd immunity, better nutrition, and proper hygiene amongst other factors can be credited with the decline in fatality rates from measles infections, not vaccines.  Just watch this video from the popular TV shows in the 1960’s and 70’s and how they laughed at the diagnosis of measles.

A Metaphor for Optimal Health and Wellbeing

God designed females with the ability to produce a food source full of nutrients for optimal growth and development and immune protection for their newborns.  In 1 Peter 2:2–3, our longing and need for Jesus is compared to the desire a baby has for her mother’s milk!

The benefits of true herd immunity and the ability to protect the vulnerable are evident in the relationship between a mother and child.

Mothers exposed to infectious pathogens and who breastfeed their offspring pass down protective immunity in maternal milk that provides both short and long-term benefits. (35) How amazing that God equips a mother’s body to meet the demands of her young. (Proverbs 16:16)

Some Vaccines Contain Aborted Fetal Cell Tissue

The use of aborted fetal cell tissue in vaccines is one of the most popular arguments that Christians will use for vaccine refusal.

Aborted fetal tissue is still used in some vaccines today. Live vaccines are grown in fetal cell lines and used to produce MMR, Chickenpox (varicella), Shingles, Rabies, DTaP, HiB, Hep A and B, and Polio. (5, 6)

Fetal Cell Lines

A cell line is created by replicating a cell over and over again to produce genetically consistent cells.

Human diploid cell strains are recommended by WHO (World Health Organization) as the safest cell culture material to be used in viral vaccines (7) and thus a demand for aborted fetuses. These are labeled as MRC-5 cellular proteins, WI-human diploid lung fibroblasts, recombinant human albumin, human embryonic lung cultures, etc.  

WALVAX-2

A common misunderstanding is that fetal cell lines were only used in the original development of vaccines and this practice is no longer acceptable.

Due to a diminishing supply of the original human diploid cell strains (HDCSs), scientists have recently created a new fetal cell line known as WALVAX 2. Walvax-2 human diploid cell strains have promising abilities to be used for mass human vaccine production. 

WALVAX-2 Origin: A Female Fetus

After consideration of 9 aborted babies, Walvax-2 cells were sourced from the lung tissue of a 3 month old female fetus. (8) Labor was induced in the mother to ensure that the baby would be born via the water bag method. 

This method was performed at the expectations of the scientists involved to create a new cell line so that the organ’s viability would be best preserved.

Aborted Cell Tissue Expires

The Hayflick limit establishes that there is a limit to the longevity by which a cell can replicate. (9) Despite “stringent” ethical standards and reviews in scientific development, this poses a cyclical problem: vaccine manufacturers will again rely on and use aborted fetal tissue. 

People on the pro-vaccine side of this debate argue that the abortions performed were not done with the intent to be utilized in vaccine production. This is not true of Walvax-2. Specific abortive techniques were indicated for obtaining fetal tissue.

When is a fetus a child?

As Christians we have to ask, if a fetus is alive, created at conception, does that fetus have no rights if aborted? (Jeremiah 1:5)

After all, a child is a gift from God or a “heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3)

Psalm 139:13 reads: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” 

God’s teachings are undeniable. He who creates and gives us life is against abortion. His teachings in the Bible are clear. (Isaiah 42:5, Job 33:4)

Church planter and author, Jeff Christopherson is quoted saying “Jesus is against whatever we will not leave behind to follow Him.” (10) In light of biblical assumptions, support of these vaccines created with aborted fetal tissue seems to fuel the kingdom of darkness, not build the Kingdom of God. 

Foreign Tissue Dangers

Vaccines produced from human fetal cell lines are known to contain residual human DNA and highly cancerous retrovirus fragments. When human cells are exposed to DNA fragments from the same species, our cells engulf the foreign fragments. This process, called endocytosis, is especially efficient when fragments are at minimal concentrations as they are in vaccines. (11) 

Evidence shows that once new DNA is taken up by cells, some of the DNA is transported directly into the cell’s nucleus. As a result, the host’s cells become susceptible to genetic change and genetic abnormalities.

Apart from the cell lines chosen for use in vaccines, there are many more aborted fetuses in which the tissue is used for experimentation. Feel free to explore a catalog of human cell cultures for yourself here. (12)

What are Retroviruses?

Retroviruses are referred to as RNA tumor viruses. Unlike other viruses which code for a protein, retroviruses essentially code for DNA that ends up in the genome of the host’s cells for the entire lifespan of the cell.

The first human disease-causing retrovirus was isolated in 1980 by Poiesz and Ruscetti. They uncovered Adult T-cell leukemia. To date, retroviruses are linked to chronic inflammatory conditions including ASD, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic liver disease, HIV, ALS, and are closely associated with leukemia viruses and other autoimmune conditions. (13)

A higher level of foreign human retroviral contaminants has been found in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, ASD, and several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 2 diabetes. (21, 22, 23)

A Threat to Future Generations

Vaccines alter the genes of future generations in ways we may never fully understand and most are susceptible to contamination with at least one category of retroviruses. (5)(14)

Animal retroviruses are quick to invade a new species and hide from the host’s natural immune mechanisms. This allows the retrovirus to not only multiply and mutate indefinitely but also pass down to successive generations. (24)

Inadequate Regulation

Vaccine manufacturers perform their own research, experimentation, and clinical testing. Their conclusion that a vaccine is safe and effective should be taken with a grain of salt. Instead, ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) makes vaccine recommendations based on information put forth by the manufacturer. 

Compare research from GSK or Merck with the analysis of an independent research group, and it is almost impossible to not detect the manipulation of data or flaws in study designs performed by the vaccine industry.

Dr. Deisher exposed the presence of Human endogenous retrovirus K (HERKVK) in the MMR vaccine. HERKVK is evidenced to activate cancers of the ovaries, skin, breast, prostage, lymph, blood, and bone. An Independent Italian research laboratory, Corveleva, exposed this same virus in Gardasil as well as multiple contaminants including bacterial peptides in the vaccine for the prevention of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV). (25, 26, 27)

Animal Material in Vaccines

Vaccines may contain other animal components, such as serum and blood, to promote microorganism growth. Other vaccine products derived from animal material can include amino acids, glycerol, detergents, gelatin, and enzymes. (15) 

Here are examples of vaccines containing animal-derived products. Some are recommended and mandated for use in infants, the elderly, and pregnant women. (16, 17, 18, 15, 19)

• Flu or influenza vaccines (egg and/or bird tissue)
• Polio and smallpox (Vero cells or monkey kidney epithelial cells)
• Porcine gelatin in live influenza, MMR, typhoid oral, varicella, yellow fever
• Diphtheria and tetanus vaccines including DTap, Hep A, MMR (fetal bovine extract or serum)

The most commonly used animal component is cows because they are “very large animals, commonly used for food, and therefore provide the availability of more material.” (20) Apparently convenience offers more weight than safety or efficacy in human health products.

Is the Science Settled?

No matter what statistic you find, the facts are that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is continuing to rise. (33) 

Environmental influences appear to be a major factor in ASD. Changes in genetics have been identified in up to 63% of cases of autism. (11) The unanswered question is, how many cases of autism could have been triggered by vaccination?

Why is it that science is never settled unless it comes to topics surrounding vaccines?

What Would Jesus Say?

I can’t help but think of Jesus and His display of righteous anger on the temple grounds when he encounters money changers. (John 2:13–16) What would a vaccine conversation sound like with Jesus?

1 Corinthians 6:19 teaches us that our body is a temple! Would he consider vaccines one of the physical pollutants of today’s world to our flesh? I believe He would.

Jesus may say that His Father did not design unique species so that we would share each other’s genes. The flesh of the living creatures are different; there is one kind for humans, another for beasts, another for birds, and another for fish. (1 Corinthians 15:39) 

It is an individual’s judgment to decipher the morality, including risks and benefits, of manipulating the human genome. As Christians, we have to shed light on the question: are vaccines the wit of Satan? 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us, “For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

God’s Work Continues

Priest and astronomer, Jesuit Father George Coyne at the Vatican Observatory shares his view that because God is space and time “God is continuously creating.” (36, 37) In other words, God created a dynamic world and His handiwork in our lives did not stop when we were exiled from the Garden of Eden. 

Given this reasoning, it is conceivable that God has equipped our bodies with an innate intelligence to function as a well-designed machine. His hand in our design did not end in Genesis.

God Provides Resources

Fevers are the immune system’s natural response to fight off both viral and bacterial infections. A fever is a sign that your body is taking its own course of treatment in killing off the infection and cleansing the lymphatic system.

God gave us nutrients and herbal remedies from plants, food for medicine, and autophagy benefits when fasting to heal and repair our bodies. He designed us to produce breast milk that nurtures and provides immune protection for our young, rays of sun to feed our vitamin D3 production, the night sky to regulate our natural sleep cycles, produce the antioxidant melatonin, and provide a time for the brain to heal.

We Trust In God

God has shared His wisdom with us in the Bible. We cannot pick and choose how we want to uphold God’s word. When the Israelites are putting their hope and trust in human abilities, Isaiah warns them that it is the trust in God alone that will never perish. (Isaiah 2:22)

Later in Isaiah (41:10) God provides us reasons to not be afraid. God’s words to us sharply oppose the fear instilled upon us by pharmaceutical companies through vaccine campaigns. (Psalm 31:24)

Standing up for God is not always easy. In fact, the Bible is full of evidence that the opposite is true. When we are faced with a crowd, especially of a majority, we have to take encouragement from scripture in the Bible and courageously seek the truth.

Protecting Religious Vaccine Exemptions

When the science is clearly not settled, scientists and politicians are overreaching to impose mandatory vaccinations. 

The attack to dismantle religious vaccine exemptions is more than an attack on faith. It is a governing body’s war on freedom of choice. If this article doesn’t apply to you because you don’t consider yourself a believer in God’s word, are you still willing to give up your freedom to make medical decisions on behalf of your children and your own bodies?

Should the government impose a law that infringes on man’s moral judgment and responsibility? Scripture reminds us that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:6–12)

When you follow the money from its use at your physician’s office to the top of the proverbial pharmaceutical totem pole, darkness comes to light.

Conclusion

I recently heard someone say that “it’s hard to choose sides in a debate when both sides may be right.” Your opinion about vaccines may differ and you probably have different supporting scripture. 

As taught in 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22, use discernment to identify truth in the teachings of this world. And remember, science is never settled but God’s word is.

What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. (Isaiah 5:20)

Sources for this Article Include:

1. The Hindu: Is India actually free of polio? Link Here

2. Child Health Safety: Smallpox Eradication – One of History’s Biggest Lies & How Vaccination Did Not Eradicate Smallpox Link Here

3. Vaccine Research Library Newsletter: Special Edition about Measles and the MMR Vaccine Link Here

4. CDC: Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999 Impact of Vaccines Universally Recommended for Children — United States, 1990-1998 Link Here

5. CDC: Vaccine Excipient Summary Link Here

6. The College of Physicians of Philadeophia: History of Vaccines: Human Cell Strains in Vaccine Development Link Here

7. Knezevic I, Stacey G, Petricciani J, and Sheets R.  Evaluation of cell substrates for the production of biologicals: Revision of WHO recommendations: Report of the WHO Study Group on Cell Substrates for the Production of Biologicals, 22–23 April 2009, Bethesda, USA. Biologicals. 2010 Jan; 38(1): 162-169. Link Here

8. Ma B, He LF, Zhang YL, et al. Characteristics and viral propagation properties of a new human diploid cell line, Walvax-2, and its suitability as a candidate cell substrate for vaccine production. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2015;11(4):998–1009. PMCID: 4526020

9. Juckett DA. Cellular aging (the Hayflick limit) and species longevity: a unification model based on clonal succession. Mech Ageing Dev. 1987 Mar; 38(1): 49-71. PMID: 3600044

10. Goodreads: Jeff Christopherson Quotes Link Here

11. Deisher TA, Doan NV, Koyama K, and Bwabye S. Epidemiologic and Molecular Relationship Between Vaccine Manufacture and Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevalence. Issues in Law & Medicine. 2015; 30(1): 47-70. Link Here

12. Pontificia Academia Pro Vita Letter on Moral Reflections on Vaccines Prepared from Cells Derived from Aborted Human Foetuses. Link Here

13. Children’s Health Defense: Retroviruses: Poorly Understood Agents of Change. Link Here

14. ScienceDirect: Vero Cell Link Here

15. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: Vaccine Ingredients- Gelatin. Link Here

16. CDC: Flu Vaccine and People with Egg Allergies Link Here

17. Barrett PN, Mundt W, Kistner O, and Howard MK. Vero cell platform in vaccine production: moving towards cell culture-based viral vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines. 2009 May; 8(5): 607. PMID:  19397417

18. CDC: Information on Avian Influenza Link Here

19. ProCon.org: vaccine Ingredients and Manufacturer Information Link Here

20. FDA: Bovine Derived Materials Used in Vaccine Manufacturing Questions and Answers Link Here

21. Tai AK, O’Reilly EJ, Alroy KA, et al. Human endogenous retrovirus-K18 env as a risk factor in mul‑ tiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis (13524585). 2008;14(9):1175-1180. PMCID: 2754175

22. Freimanis G, Hooley P, Ejtehadi HD, et al. A role for human endogenous retrovirus-K (HML-2) in rheumatoid arthritis: Investigating mechanisms of pathogenesis. Clinical & Experimental Immunology. 2010;160(3):340. PMCID: 2883104

23. Dickerson F, Rubalcaba E, Viscidi R, et al. Polymorphisms in human endogenous retrovirus K-18 and risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res. 2008;104(1-3):121.PMID:  18617371

24. Coffin JM, Hughes SH, and Varmus HE. Retroviruses. 1997. ISBN-10: 0-87969-571-4. Link Here

25. Real News Australia: Infanrix Hexa- 65 Toxins Found. All Risk. No Benefit. Link Here

26. Corvelva: Metagenomic analysis report on Priorix Tetra Link Here

27. Corvelva: Gardasil Search Link Here

28. The College of Physicians of Philadeophia: History of Vaccines: History of Anti-vaccination Movements Link Here

29. Reformation.org: Résumé of Experiments on Variola. Link Here

30. CDC: Vital Statistics Rates in the United States 1940-1960. Link Here

31. Google books: The Signature of God. Link Here

32. WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: First Global Patient Safety Challenge Clean Care Is Safer Care. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. 4, Historical perspective on hand hygiene in health care. Link Here

33. ScienceDaily: U.S. autism rate up 15 percent over two-year period. Link Here

34. Preidis GA, Versalovic J. Targeting the human microbiome with antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics: gastroenterology enters the metagenomics era. Gastroenterology. 2009;136(6):2015–2031. PMCID: 4108289

35. Jackson KM, and NAzar AM. Breastfeeding, the immune response, and long-term health. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2006 Apr; 106(4): 203-7. PMID: 16627775

36. PBS: Full Program Transcript Link Here

37. US Catholic Faith in Real Life. Dancing with the stars: An interview with astronomer George Coyne, SJ. Link Here