Statement on Conscience
I grew up like most people. Although my parents preferred peace, they still ultimately believed that war could be just and necessary. For a long time, I was the same. But around the time I began college, I began to think about what I believed and who I wanted to become. Beginning a relationship with a girl aspiring to commission into the Space Force especially forced me to confront my emotions about war. I struggled for a long time that year with my convictions, read the history of war, especially modern war, and of its justifications, but in the end I came back to the same point.
Although I want nothing but the best for the people I care about, and for them to never feel pain or suffering, there are certain things which I could not justify doing, no matter the outcome. We are all the same, in some way, in our humanity. And I feel that the only thing that separates myself from anyone else is the happenstance of genetics and life experience. Certain actions, particularly those which strip people of their lives and treat them as undeserving of dignity such as killing, torture, and rape are not justified. Ever. And so, because this is the nature of war, I believe it is inherently unjust. I believe that war is ineffective as a means for preventing suffering and inherently morally corrupt - something only amplified by the means of modern war. And to holding true to this conviction, I cannot join the military or defense industry, no matter the consequences. I want my life and actions to speak to peace and to love, and for others’ lives to do the same.
To Others of a Similar Conviction
I would encourage you to pursue conscientious objector status. If the need ever arises, it is an opportunity to share your beliefs, encourage others to do the same, and most importantly, if you are ever called to go to war, to remind yourself about the reason for your beliefs.
To become an objector, you first write a letter on conscience. There is no requirement of length, but it should be written sincerely and thoughtfully. If you are facing a draft board, people who want to send you to war, you should make it clear that you believe that to fight is wrong, and to what extent.
Your conviction should also be corroborated by your friends, family, and others who may testify on your behalf should you be drafted.
Once your documents are written, consult a local peace church (Quakers, Mennonites, Amish, and the Church of the Bretheren). They will keep a copy of your documents on file, which you can request if you are drafted. Save physical copies of everything, and send it to your state and local representatives, and your letter-writers, and the peace church.
There are also some online forums which you can use to post your letter. I prefer to post mine on my own website.
To Those Questioning War
I highly recommend reading, engaging deeply, and sitting with literature. Some reading and media may help:
- Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
- Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
- Nonviolence by Mark Kurlansky
- Perpetual Peace by Immanuel Kant
- Esarhaddon, King of Assyria by Leo Tolstoy
- The Moral Character of Crypotgraphic Work by Phillip Rogaway
- Grave of the Fireflies by Hayao Miyazaki
- Message of the Holy Father Francis to Participants in the International Meeting for Peace Organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio
Also read and reflect on American history in the Middle East and North Africa and foreign intervention. These are probably the most representative of the nature of war today.
At the heart of the war debate is the utilitarian dilemma. Asking if we should have war as a system doesn’t sufficiently address the full scope. Maybe more broadly, the better question to ask is if the ends justify the means. It is more appropriate to ask if it is justifiable to kill someone, someone likely not directly responsible for the conflict, and to treat their life as collateral damage in order to achieve a goal? In the modern day, there are further complications. We have to ask, “what are we fighting for when we have strong means of global mediation?”. “Can any modern war truly be justified?”, “what are the outcomes of war and foreign intervention both in the long and short terms?”, “are we obligated to be involved in this war?”. And so on.
To Military Members Seeking to Leave on the basis of Conscience
Leaving the military is an incredible, challenging, and serious decision deserving of respect. I do not and will never know what it means to leave the military on the basis of conscience, but the Center on Conscience has resources which can help. More personally, if you would like to speak with me on war, would like help leaving the military and having a discussion to someone, or were influenced by my work, feel free to send me an email, and I am more than happy to meet with you. I will also do my best to put you in touch with others who have left the military.