conscience, that forbids someone from taking part in any form of organized
killing or participation in governmental Armed Services. This objection may
apply to specific or all forms of meeting a military code of justice which may
require the taking up of carnal weapons in war or may involve differing
aspects of submitting to governmental authorities that may require the
individual to do certain things that would compromise a conscience of faith
and trust.
Conscientious Objection and the Draft
When all males turn 18 in the United States, they are
required to register with the Selective Service System. This
basically means that you are signing up for the draft if it is
ever needed. Failure to register with Selective Services
may result in jail time or imprisonment and can preclude
you from receiving government assistance for college
loans.
Since 1980, the Selective Service System has discharged its mission of
preparing to manage a draft if and when Congress and the President so
direct. The House action proves that the Selective Service has received no
such direction. That being the case, the Agency will maintain its readiness
as required by law, and to register young men between the ages of 18 and
25. That mission has been reaffirmed frequently by successive
Administrations and by Congress under the leadership of both parties.
If in a time of war Congress authorizes to renew induction under the draft
and you are drafted, you will have very little time to present your case as a
conscientious objector. More importantly, you will have to prove to a draft
board that you are conscientiously opposed to war. What this means is
that you will have to be able to prove that your beliefs prevent you from
fighting in a war.
Continue to: "How do I prove my beliefs?"
