Table Of Contents
Conscientious Objection
The following links (and text) are excerpted from the MoveOn Bulletin of 16 Oct
2002. The MoveOn Bulletin is a free, biweekly email bulletin providing
information, resources, news, and action ideas on important
political issues. If you wish to see the full text of the MoveOn Bulletin, it
is online at http://www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin/ .
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ONE LINK: ALL ABOUT CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
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This excellent page answers important questions about why
conscientious objection is important, what it is, what types of
conscientious objection are recognized by law, what other types of
conscientious objectors there are, and what obligations a person
has to fulfill as a conscientious objector. It also includes a
brief worksheet to help prepare for filling out the appropriate
legal forms (relevant only in the event of a draft, but useful to
have prepared beforehand).
http://www.nisbco.org/What_Do_I.htm
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION AND THE DRAFT
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This is a chronology of conscription in the United States.
Currently, "the U.S. operates under an all-volunteer armed forces
policy. All male citizens between the ages of eighteen and
twenty-six, however, are required to register for the draft and
are liable for training and service until the age of thirty-five."
http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-5669.html
This is a brief page about what to do if you are facing draft
registration (all men residing in the United States who were born
on or after Jan. 1, 1963 are required to register for the draft
within 30 days of their 18th birthday or face a possible penalty
of $250,000 or five years in jail.)
http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/co_advice.html
It is unlikely that a draft will be instituted during the current
phase of the war on terrorism. Still, if you have any questions
about the draft, this quick page of questions and answers provides
a good introduction.
http://www.csmonitor.com/explainers/Draft.html
This is a valuable explanation of what kinds of beliefs can
qualify a person as a conscientious objector in the eyes of the
government.
http://www.scn.org/ip/sdmcc/co.htm
People who are drafted for military service and successfully apply
to become conscientious objectors will probably be reassigned to
alternative service for the same amount of time as they would have
served in the military. This service could include working in
health care, education, conservation, or another job which is
"deemed to make a meaningful contribution to the maintenance of
the national health, safety, and interest." This is the official
fact sheet on alternative service.
http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm
Take a quick look at war tax resistance over the last 30 years as
told through pictures:
http://peace.moveon.org/r.php3?redir=9
EXAMPLES OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
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In Israel, a number of soldiers have refused to serve in the
occupied territories. Israel does not recognize conscientious
objection and many of the men must serve time in prison for their
refusal. This is a brief overview of the history of this group of
"refuseniks."
http://www.flonnet.com/fl1914/19140570.htm
This is another article about the Israeli refuseniks which gives a
more visceral sense of the emotional strain which prompted them to
become conscientious objectors.
http://peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=175
Alternative service has, in the past, been very dangerous. During
WW II, American COs participated in road building and
reforestation projects -- and scientific experiments that "gave
COs the opportunity to prove themselves ready to serve in
dangerous situations that would not require taking human life."
http://www.afsc.org/hist/2002/cpsguin.htm
This review of the PBS movie "The Good War and Those Who Refused
to Fight It" describes the lives and roles of conscientious
objectors during the extremely popular second World War.
http://www.afsc.org/youthmil/200112/resource.htm
PBS has a lot of information online related to "The Good War and
Those Who Refused to Fight It." Perhaps the most interesting point
of the film is that conscientious objectors contributed
significantly to many aspects of life within the US both during
and after the war, including powerful social movements and the
arts. Includes pictures, a timeline, biographies and quotes
related to individual conscientious objectors, video clips, and
more.
http://www.pbs.org/itvs/thegoodwar/
Steve
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A small rock holds back a great wave. - Homer