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Who Rules Your Conscience?
President Johnson? General Hershey?
The Public Mind?
The Local Draft Board?
Whom Do You Serve First?
Many men have the impression that only the Quakers, the Mennonites, and other traditional peace churches encourage men to take a stand as conscientious objectors to war.
That is a false impression.
Most denominations have officially expressed themselves unambiguously in support of conscientious objection as a viable choice for men of conscience regarding any war. For example:
American Baptist Convention
"Gives complete support to those who because of conscience cannot serve in the military. We affirm our stand as a Convention to aid, counsel and pray for those who in this seek classification as I-O or I-A-O (ie., Civilian Alternate Service or Noncombatant Military Service). Recognizing that some young men may be led by conscience to take positions outside the selective service alternative support them in their duties."
Recognizing that some young men may be led by conscience to take positions outside the selective service alternative, we support them in their obedience to conscience, both in their initial stand and in their later adjustments, acknowledging that 'hey must bear the consequences of their action.'
Disciples of Christ—
"In view of the continuation of military conscription by the United States and the possibility of extending it universally for either training or service, or both, this International Convention hereby reaffirms the obligation of every Christian to give his first allegiance to God and pledges support to those who in seeking to do so are compelled by their consciences to refuse the demands of the state for military training or service."
Lutheran Church of America—
"This church stands by and upholds those of its members who conscientiously object to military service as well as those who in conscience choose to serve in the military. This church further affirms that the individual who, for reasons of conscience, objects to participation in a particular war is acting in harmony with Lutheran teaching."
Protestant Episcopal Church—
"We recognize the validity of the calling of the conscientious objector and the pacifist and the duty of the Church fully to minister to them, and its obligation to see that we live in a society in which the dictates of their consciences are respected."
Roman Catholic Church—
"Addressing the problem in the pastoral Constitution on the Church, in the Modern World, the Council Fathers wrote: 'It seems right that laws make human provisions for those who for reasons of conscience refuse to bear arms, provided, however, that they agree to serve the human community in some other way.'"
United Church of Christ—
"Be It Resolved that the General Synod of the United Church of Christ affirm its recognition of the right of conscientious objection to participation in or support of war, extend moral and spiritual support to the members of its constituent congregations who for conscience' sake seek exemption from military service and elect the alternative of civilian national service provided in the law, call upon its pastors and congregations to hold closely within the fellowship of the church who take this position."
United Methodist Church—
"We believe it is our obligation to render every assistance to the individual who conscientiously objects to service in the military forces. He should receive counsel concerning his rights in this respect, assistance in bringing his claim before the proper authorities, and support in securing recognition thereof... So long as military conscription legislation remains in effect, we believe that all those who conscientiously object to participation in all wars should be granted recognition and assigned to appropriate civilian service regardless of whether they profess religious grounds as the basis of their stand."
United Presbyterian Church—
"We . . reaffirm the right of individuals to assert their conscientious objection to military service on the basis of religious conviction. We lay upon the conscience of our churches, both on the local and the presbytery levels, their duty to provide for these men spiritual guidance and every assistance necessary. We would also call attention to the fact that as a young man reaches maturity he may change his attitude or begin to become articulate about it, and that such a change or articulation, if made in sincerity and with integrity, should be supported by the Church, and respected by the Selective Service authorities. The General Assembly affirms that Christian faith obliges men to judge whether in conscience they can participate in war."
As men who minister on behalf of these and other denominations, we encourage all who are facing military service to consider carefully conscientious objection to nationally prosecuted military action as an important alternative to the draft.
We pledge our time to counsel with those who are wrestling with the question of the draft and our support of those who are seeking exemption on the basis of a decision of conscience.
Jerry Catt (Baptist)
1629 West 19th
VI 3-1018
Morni Leoni
(United Church of Christ)
1314 Oread
VI 3-7151
Don Conrad
(Lutheran)
15th & Iowa
VI 3-6662
Tom Rehorn
(Methodist)
1314 Oread
VI 3-7151
Tom Moore (Quaker)
Kansas Union
UN 4-3761
Fr. Harvard Wilbur (Episcopal)
1011 Vermont
VI 3-6166
Rafael Sanchez
(U.C.C., Disciples, Presbyterian)
1204 Oread
VI 3-4933
Otto Zingg
(U.C.C., Disciples, Presbyterian)
1204 Oread
VI 3-4933
Fr. Brendon Downey
(Roman Catholic)
1915 Stratford Road
VI 3-0357
Fr. Don Redmond (Roman Catholic) 1915 Stratford Road VI 3-0357
Norman Steffen
(Lutheran, Mo. Synod)
15th & Iowa
VI 3-6662
University Christian Movement