
RELIGIOUS
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
TO PARTICIPATION IN WAR AND MILITARY SERVICE
Our
intention is to provide the following:
1. A basic understanding of the Selective Service System
(SSS), registration and possible future draft.
2. Relevant Scriptural references.
3. A short version of suggested religious CO preparation
guidelines.
4. A few references and links to related booklets.
1.
A basic understanding of the SSS, registration and possible
future draft.
a. Federal law requires all males ages 18 through 25 to
register, including U.S. citizens and immigrants, documented
and undocumented, who are residing in the U.S. (This includes
those who are COs). Note: it may be that females with
medical training will be included in a possible draft.
b. There is a 60-day window of 30 days before turning
18 and 30 days afterward.
c. There are some penalties for those who do not register
i.e. possible denial of federal government employment,
possible federal education funding, etc.
d. Currently (as of February, 2023), there is NO draft.
However, the federal government continues to provide funding
for the SSS. At any time, Congress and the President can
declare war or a national emergency in which a draft might
be implemented.
e. NOTE: Do Not register via online or any electronic
method. You want to create a “paper trail”
from the beginning. More on this in item 3.
f. In the past, the SSS has not decided on which one of
two different draft call up options they might use. However,
for brevity’s sake, one of those options would be
to start to issue induction notices for 20-year-old males
within 3 days after a draft is initiated. There would
be only a 10-day window between a man receiving his 1-A
classification and being inducted. It is in this extremely
short window of time that another form must be requested
and filed with the SSS, by which you would register your
religious CO position. It is not clear as of this writing
which method, or even a different method, might be used.
The important point is this: THERE WOULD BE AN INCREDIBLY
SHORT PERIOD OF TIME FOR YOU TO TRY TO START TO UNDERSTAND
OR DOCUMENT YOUR RELIGIOUS CO POSITION. More on this in
item 3.
g. SSS does allow for COs to engage in “Alternative
Service Programs.” This is if you are successful
in proving your religious CO conviction when called before
a Draft Board. Besides submitting the proper form, you
will be required to appear before a local board of SSS
trained questioners. They will ask several questions that
you must answer verbally regarding your religious CO convictions.
For example: What is your CO belief? When did you develop
this belief? How did you arrive at this belief and how
are you living your day-to-day life in harmony with your
CO beliefs? You will also be able to present any written
documentation of your belief. If you are denied CO status
at this hearing, you may appeal.
h. The SSS has a very easy to navigate website. https://www.sss.gov/verify/sil/
To read more on CO information, go to this site. In the
search area on the top right of the home page, type in
“conscientious objection.” Follow the prompts.
i. On registering, as mentioned in point “e”
above, they offer you a possibility to register online.
Do not do that. Ideally you can obtain a registration
form at the Post Office. However, if the local Postmaster
has not ordered any forms, then you can print out a paper
registration form on the SSS site. Fill it out and mail
it in. (Please see more on this in item 3.)
j. In the words of the SSS: “A CO is one who is
opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing
arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.”
2. A short list of relevant Scriptural references.
Gen. 9:6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man
shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God
made man.”
Matt. 5:39, 44 “But I tell you, do not resist an
evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also. But I tell you: love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matt. 7:12 “So in everything, do to others what
you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law
and the Prophets.”
Luke 6:27-33 “But I tell you who hear me: love your
enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who
curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone
strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also.
If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking
your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone
takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to
others as you would have them do to you.”
John 18:36 “Jesus said: my kingdom is not of this
world, if it were, my servants would fight to prevent
my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another
place.”
Acts 5:29 “…We must obey God rather than men.”
Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge, my friends, but
leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It
is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 13:8, 10 “Let no debt remain outstanding
except the continuing debt to love one another, for he
who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Love does
no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment
of the law.”
I Corinthians 4:12 “…When we are cursed, we
bless, when we are persecuted, we endure it.”
I Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it done not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily
angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight
in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.”
II Corinthians 10:4 “The weapons we fight with are
not the weapons of the world…”
Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against
flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven.”
I Thessalonians 5:15 “Make sure that nobody pays
back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each
other and to everyone else.”
I Peter 2:21-23 “To this you were called, because
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that
you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and
no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their
insults at him, he did not retaliate, when he suffered,
he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him
who judges justly.”
3.
A short list of suggested religious CO preparation guidelines.
a. Why should anyone be concerned about a possible future
draft?
The scriptures indicate that there is to be the greatest
time of trouble, in which no flesh might be saved, unless
the Elect (The Christ in glory) intervenes and stops the
madness. The “birth-pangs” involving the removal
of the Old Heavens and Earth, and the in-coming New Heavens
and Earth, will increase in severity until the climax
is reached.
The current completely unexpected ground, sea and air
war in Europe continues to escalate. This is a sad but
very real example of how fast events can change. Many
military analysts predict a not-too-distant war with China.
Prophetic events are very difficult to understand in detail
before they transpire. Yet, as scripture states it: “wisdom
is justified by her children.” Planning and effort
now, before a possible draft, will result in a far better
prepared CO and a much better opportunity of success in
demonstrating one’s claim if the need arises.
b.
Who should be interested in this?
Perhaps the first ones to be concerned and alert are parents,
grandparents, and elders. Study the subject of Christian
responsibility towards war and military service (there
are several good booklets on this, listed below) in order
to work with the young people in your sphere of influence.
Read the listed scriptures above together and ask questions
to encourage the young people to thoughtfully consider
what the Word of God is instructing us on how to live
as a follower of Jesus.
To our young people reading this, it is really you that
we hope to encourage in your thoughtful consideration
on this matter of being a CO. As the name implies, it
is YOUR conscience that matters. It is YOUR convictions
that are important. We offer these scriptures and guidelines
in order that YOU may make scripturally informed decisions.
Read the scriptures. Give them meaningful consideration.
Pray on It. Talk to those who you have confidence in about
it. By expressing your thoughts you are helping to formulate
your own beliefs on this.
C.
What to do when you need to register.
Be sure to use a paper registration form. Do NOT file
electronically. If possible, go to a Post Office that
has the forms and a photo-copy machine. Fill out the form
and print in the margin: “I am a religious Conscientious
Objector to participation in war in any form.” Then
ask the Postal clerk to sign and date the form, and then
let you make a photocopy of the form before turning in
the original form. The Post Office will deliver your form
to the SSS. They will input your information electronically.
They will most likely NOT input your CO claim at that
time. However, by your keeping the copy of your original
form, you have a personal record in case you need to go
before a SSS board in the future. Even if the Postal clerk
does not cooperate with signing your original form, make
a photo-copy of it before mailing it in.
Some Post offices may not stock the paper registration
forms. They may tell you that you can only register online.
However, you can go to the SSS webpage and print out the
registration form, fill it out and write in the margin
the same as stated above. Make a photo-copy and then mail
it in.
In approximately 30 days after you have registered, you
will receive a letter of acknowledgement and a separate
change of information form. Fill out the change of information
form, printing on it that you request Selective Service
to give you a Conscientious Objector’s classification.
Sign and write the date on the form. Make a photocopy
of this form and return it by certified mail, return receipt
requested. Once again, the SSS will probably not include
your stated CO claim in their record keeping. However,
you will have your copy along with the return receipt
date to put in your file.
Also, be sure to keep your letter of acknowledgement that
you did register.
D. After you have registered, what you need to do if there
is a draft:
As stated above, as of this writing it is not certain
what method of notifying potential inductees there might
be. However, it is probable that a man with a low draft
lottery number will receive a notice in about 3 days from
a draft being authorized. The notice may state that you
would be required to report for induction, or report for
a physical. If you are required to go for a physical,
this should be followed. However, when you first receive
your notice you need to request a form that will allow
you to state your Religious Conscientious Objection to
participation in war or the military. Perhaps this will
be available at the Post Office or as a download from
the SSS website. In the past this was a form 9. If it
is the same, you need to fill it out and check any of
the draft exemptions you may qualify for. Mail form 9
registered mail, return receipt requested, to the Area
Office shown on the induction notice.
If it is as previously expressed by the SSS, the next
form necessary is form 22—the Conscientious Objector
Questionnaire. This needs to be immediately filled out
and mailed, registered mail, return receipt requested.
If it is as previously expressed by the SSS, the next
step is to appear before a Local Claim Board for a hearing.
This is when you will express your reasons for being a
religious CO. This is when you will present your “paper
trail” file of evidence that your religious CO conviction
has been long standing and demonstrable. Sincerity of
belief and some tangible evidence of your expressed CO
position will go a long way in your presentation.
If it is as in the past, if you are denied a CO position,
you may appeal.
E.
Preparations before a possible draft.
In all your preparations, keep in mind that you need to
consider two aspects. First, are you opposed to being
a combatant? Secondly, are you opposed to being a non-combatant
(medical, maintenance, etc..), in the military. If you
are opposed to both—combatant and non-combatant
military service—you will need to make that plain,
first in your letter, and later, if you are called before
a SSS Board. In stating that you are opposed to any military
service, it is good to state that you are willing to perform
alternative service (in the past this has been a two year
service). Alternative Service Program (ASP) includes civilian
work contributing to the maintenance of the national health,
safety or other interest of the United States.
Read and contemplate on the relevant Scriptures listed
above and any other Scriptures that are related to this
subject.
Write a letter stating the reasons for your religious
CO conviction. Have this letter notarized. Make several
copies and give a copy to an elder in your Ecclesia, as
well as mailing one to the current brother who is the
Chairman for The Bible Students National Committee for
Religious Conscientious Objectors. As of this writing
it is Br. Michael Balko, 321 Kentia Rd., Casselberry,
Fl 32707.
If it is possible to attend a CO meeting either in an
Ecclesia or Convention, have printed evidence of your
attendance, preferably signed by an attending elder.
Keep paper Convention Programs. Have one or more of the
elders speaking, as listed on the Program, sign it, stating
they saw you in attendance.
If you can incorporate CO or religious beliefs into your
school papers that you can keep in your file, this is
a great witness to your convictions.
In the Zoom Convention era, at times they have a screen
shot photo of the brethren in attendance. Try to be in
that photo and print it out with the Convention program
and dates.
If you attend Youth Seminars or Camps, also keep these
programs and have them signed by elders in attendance.
The longer the time period in which you can demonstrate
your religious CO conviction, the better.
Take note of any activities that would be evidences of
your being different than those your age in the world,
those who do not have a religious conscience toward God
and Jesus.
It cannot be stressed enough that it is your conscience.
You want to try to express your convictions clearly, that
supporting the military in any aspect would a severe struggle
in your mind and heart.
Please reflect on the following statement and determine
if this might represent your belief: we believe in restraining
force under certain circumstances but never with the intent
to injure.
You should be very familiar with Bible Student core doctrinal
beliefs. If you do decide that you are religiously opposed
to participation in war and the military, you might be
called upon to express (without just reading notes) what
your understanding is of God’s plans or purposes
and how this relates to your CO conviction.
A few fundamental statements you might build upon:
• Love and obedience to God first.
• Love for your fellow human (the golden rule, do
unto others as you would have them do to you).
• The only solution to the world’s problems
is God’s future Kingdom of peace and justice for
all.
4.
A few references and links to related booklets.
a. Reprint
5928 “Conscience And The War”
b.
Website “Center on Conscience and War.” On
this site Bible Students have several statements of our
position on religious CO conviction as an Association
of Bible Students.
https://centeronconscience.org/bible-students
c.
Link to “Early Christian View of War and Military
Service.”
https://www.bibletoday.com/free_downloads.htm
d.
Link to “The Association of Bible Students –
Its Historic Position Toward War.”
https://www.bibletoday.com/free_downloads.htm
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