Religion complicates California vaccine debate

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article19115517.html

BY JEREMY B. WHITE
04/20/2015 10:00 PM 04/20/2015 10:27 PM


With measles breaking out in California, democratic Sen. Richard Pan of Sacramento, at podium, and Ben Allen of Santa Monica, far left, introduce legislation that would end California's vaccine exemption loophole during a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2015 in Sacramento, Calif. Passing of the bill would eliminate the ability for parents of school children to opt out of vaccinating their kids based on a personal belief. RANDY PENCH

Nick Johansen arrived at a Capitol hearing on vaccinations last week carrying a Bible.

Johansen, who said he hasn’t yet decided whether to vaccinate his 10-month-old daughter Savannah, argued government shouldn’t impose a reverence for science over his faith in God.

Senate Bill 277, a bitterly contested California bill eliminating the state’s personal belief exemption for vaccines, doesn’t apply just to parents who believe they are dangerous. It also would eliminate parents’ ability to skip vaccinations for religious reasons.

In what Johansen described as an affirmation of his faith, his daughter has overcome severe medical issues. He considers her survival miraculous and warned SB 277 would harm devout Californians like him.

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