Amid rumblings of draft, peace churches beginning to plan

[rainbow4321]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/070905DN-peacechurches.884af98c.html

For the first time since the Vietnam War, pacifist churches are thinking of how to prepare young men to become conscientious objectors in the event the draft is resumed.

President Bush, leaders of Congress, and military officials all insist that there are no plans for military conscription. But members of what are often called the historic peace churches – Mennonites, Brethren and Quakers – believe that a draft appears more and more likely as U.S. troops continue to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Army fails to meet its recruitment goals.

Leaders of the peace churches, which have their historic roots in Pennsylvania, say that what they may need to do now is prepare in-house programs in which their young men might perform two years of required civilian public service in exchange for not having to go into the military.

Peace church leaders said they would want to ensure an orderly program for their own young men. Mennonites and Brethren long have operated service organizations that draw members into a year or so of public service – often doing disaster relief or working at day camps – after high school or college. The thinking is that these could be expanded into two-year programs for conscientious objectors.

[lovuian]

1. I love that idea!!!

Sounds Great!!!

[KerryReallyWon]

2. I read back in Nov. Oregon or Washington was

doing the same program...to prepare them to object.

[lebkuchen]

3. Wouldn't women also be drafted?

[leftchick]

4. good question

I have read that for well over a year now on DU. That the SSS has revised the guidelines to require women as well to register when the draft comes.

:(

[fasttense]

5. But, but, wait, they said the Mennonites, Brethren and Quakers voted for

brush? That's how they explained the numbers in Pennsylvania. You know all those districts that had more votes than registered voters. The newspapers all said it was the Mennonites, Brethren and Quakers who normally don't vote coming out and voting for brush (you know like the Dixiecrat phenomena in Florida). Now they are not going to support his war? This makes no sense. :sarcasm:

[cmd]

6. Are you thinking about the Amish?

They are the ones who do not normally vote.

[fasttense]

7. Perhaps you are correct it was the Amish

but they are pacifists too. So they voted for a war president? I wonder if the Amish will be sending the sons and daughters to war to back up their votes???