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A conscientious objector is an “individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service” on the grounds of freedom of conscience or religion. The term has also been extended to objecting to working for the military–industrial complex due to a crisis of conscience.

Resources on this page…

Current Military

Considering Military

GI RIGHTS Hotline

FAQs

Faith Forum on Peace

Why are we, as the Red Letter Christians community, offering these resources?

Because we are living like Jesus meant the words he said. Blessed are the Peacemakers, not the Warmakers. To love our neighbor is a tall order, and we certainly aren’t doing it as well as Jesus, but not killing each other has to be a starting line. Let these resources be a hallmark of following Jesus, instead only using His name.

Following Jesus means disarming ourselves of our loyalty to militaries that take life instead of give life. We can have only one allegiance.

Perfect Love casts out fear and refuses to take lives. We arm ourselves with a self sacrificing love that knows no borders, only a radical debt to love.

There is a rich history when it comes to conscientious objectors—people who refused to fight in war because it violated their faith or conscience. In particular, Christians who follow Jesus, “the Prince of Peace,” have been war resisters for centuries, going back to the earliest days of Christianity.

If you’re currently in the military

 

GI RIGHTS Hotline:  202-483-2220

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Selective Service is a registration that the  US Government requires all  males to sign up for when they turn 18 years old. 

Registration is a way the American government keeps a list of names of men from ages 18-26 which to draw on in the event a future “draft” is enstated. By registering all young men, Selective Service ensures that a future draft will be fair and equitable.

NOTE: Registering with Selective Service does not mean you are joining the military.

Not at all!

It’s called the National Alternative Service Program. For those opposed to war, the Government finds Civilian work for those exempted from military training and service. I’ve personally met Vietnam folks who did this and created great things that are still serving my city today instead of training for war when their draft numbers were called. 

Some of the civilian places you can serve in are:

  • caring for the very young or very old
  • education
  • health care
  • Conservation

Failure to register is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment. There have been no prosecutions for not registering since 1986.

Penalties for refusing to sign up for Selective Service include not being eligible for:

  • State funded financial aid, most federal employment, some state employment, working in the executive branch of the government, the Postal Service, security clearance for contractors and U.S. citizenship for immigrant men.

No. It’s currently not active.  

The Selective Service is the pool of registered names that if there was a future Draft instated the names would be called from.

Faith Forum on Peace in the Middle East

RLC hosted a Faith Forum on Peace in the Middle East with special guests from Israel, Palestine, and the US—conscientious objectors who refused to fight for Hamas and for the Israeli military, along with US veterans who became peacemakers.

Attendees heard from heroes for peace as they shared their stories of why they chose not to participate in the escalating violence of war. They invited us to ask the question, “What does courage look like—for me?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBcefRkHNMk
For more information visit sss.gov/faq