Brethren Agree to Revive 'Alternative Service' Draft Programs

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/158/story_15893_1.html

[ 05 Jan 2005 ]
By Kevin Eckstrom
Religion News Service

Leaders of the Church of the Brethren say they will follow through on a
request from the Selective Service to have "alternative service"
programs
in place for conscientious objectors if a draft is reinstated.

As one of the historic "peace churches" that shun military service,
Brethren officials were "cautious" after an unannounced visit by a
draft
official to a church center in Maryland last October. Officials were
worried that the visit signaled that a draft may be at hand.

In follow-up meetings, draft officials urged the church to dust off
long-standing "alternative service" programs that allow conscientious
objectors to serve in two-year domestic service projects in lieu of
military service.

In a meeting Dec. 10, the church's council voted to "maximize our
efforts"
on alternative service, as well as help "guide our youth in their
choice
of nonviolent service."

"We don't want to miss the part of providing resources to our youth
that
will help them understand and embrace the Brethren peace witness," said
Chris Bowman, moderator of the church's 2004 conference.

Selective Service officials have insisted there are no plans to
reinstate
the draft, and said Alternative Service Director Cassandra Costley
stopped
by the Brethren Service Center simply because she was in the area.

Dick Flahavan, a spokesman for Selective Service, said officials did
their
best to convince church leaders there is no draft on the horizon. "We
answered every one of their questions and they didn't leave with
anything
hanging," he said. "What we were telling them was what we tell
everyone.
The story hasn't varied."

Brethren leaders also agreed to meet in March with other Anabaptist
churches that oppose military service. The meeting in Elgin, Ill., will
bring together six Brethren and Mennonite groups to discuss "how to
prepare for alternative service opportunities."

How to Compile a CO Claim:

1) If you register with SS, write that you are a CO on the card before sending it in. Photocopy the card and send it to yourself and leave it sealed.

2) Write a statement of beliefs that explain why, how, when, where, etc. that you became a CO. List anything that could have influenced your beliefs against war and killing, such as religion, films, books, events you attended, etc.

3) Find 3 people who know you very well who can write a letter on your behalf supporting your beliefs as a CO.

4) Write a letter to CCCO explaining that you are a CO, keep a copy for yourself, with the receipt of it being mailed. We don't archive these letters but we will send you a letter confirming we have received your letter. Keep that letter from us as part of your CO file. You can send your CO file to the Center on Conscience & War to be archived. http://www.nisbco.org/

5) Compile all of these documents and get them notarized.

6) Put them in a safe place and if you get drafted you can present this claim to your local draft board and your chances of getting a CO exemption will be much stronger.

You need to build a paper trail and document everything possible that could help define you as a person who could not go to war. If you go to any anti-war events, document them somehow as proof that you went, keep the flyers, have your photo taken at the event, etc. They basically want to see that you are genuinely opposed to war, and not just somebody who doesn't want to fight. You must be opposed to all wars, this doesn't mean you can't use violence in personal self defense.

You know, there will probably be more and more conscientious objectors with this new popularity of people of faith. I’ve always been confused by the rights hanging with the religious folks while they are killing someone somewhere.