Conscience, Commitment and Military Service

The United States has recently implemented automatic military draft registration. The implications of this policy include the potential that, without actively signing up, one could be conscripted for service. In this case, it would be necessary to consider the options available. The Selective Service System website, sss.gov, indicates that all conscientious objectors are required to register. A conscientious objector (CO) is one who is opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.

Conscientious objectors have options for service depending on their specific beliefs. Noncombatant roles are made available for those who are opposed to bearing arms yet allow them to serve in the Armed Forces. They will not be assigned training or duties that include using weapons. Alternative service is available for those opposed to serving in the military. Examples of jobs in this category include conservation, care for the elderly, education and health care. Length of service would be equal to the amount of time one would serve in the military.

Explaining and Defending Your Convictions

A registrant making a claim for CO status must appear before a board to explain his beliefs. This could include written documentation or personal appearances by people who know him and can attest to his claims. The objective of the board is to understand how he or she arrived at their beliefs and the influence of their beliefs on how they live their life.

It is essential that each person determine their own beliefs and be able to explain them. 1 Peter 3:15 encourages believers to think through our positions prior to the time when we are asked to give an answer: “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” The answers should be personal and true. If in the opinion of the board, the answers are not genuine, or are based on politics, expediency or self-interest, they risk being denied.

Considering Military Service

What if you are considering pursuing a career in the military? What if you are not sure if you do conscientiously object? Here are a few important things to consider.

When a person enlists in the military, they take a formal oath to obey the orders of the President and the officers appointed over them — an oath that places them under the binding authority of a chain of command. In most countries, the military has its own rules and regulations, and a person in the military is not free to decide what he or she can do, but is under the authority of superiors and must do what they say or risk severe consequences.  Those orders can span a wide range of actions — from routine duties to direct participation in combat — and critically, a person in the military is subject to its authority and may be called upon to take human life or violate other areas or principles of God’s law.

This is precisely why the United Church of God takes a clear doctrinal stand on the matter. UCG believes that Christians are forbidden by the commandments of God from taking human life directly or indirectly, and that bearing arms is contrary to this fundamental belief; therefore, Christians should not voluntarily become engaged in military service.  The wisest course of action is to refrain from putting oneself in such a position, and accordingly, the United Church of God, an International Association, supports the conscientious objection of its members to military service and war.

The Challenge of Conflicting Allegiances

Swearing an oath of this nature creates several problems for followers of Christ. Jesus Christ taught that a follower should be sure to perform their oaths and keep their word. Making a commitment as a follower is binding before God. A disciple should carefully consider what an oath like this could entail. First, if a follower of God has committed his or her life to God, then the individual has already committed to serving God above men, even if it requires giving his or her life. Peter and other apostles had been jailed for preaching the gospel, and the chief priests were considering how to dissuade them, and capital punishment was mentioned as an option. When asked why they did not comply with the demands to stop preaching, Peter replied, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). This becomes a rallying cry to those who commit their lives to obedience in a covenant relationship with God.

Lessons From the Apostles’ Arrest

This passage in Acts 5 is interesting from another perspective as well. In verse 22, we read of captains and guards who are tasked with securing Peter and the other apostles. When God opens the prison, it is the officer’s job to follow the directions of the high priest and find and capture them, regardless of whether they are believers or disagree with the charges. In verse 26 we read, “Then the captain went with the officers and brought them [Peter and the other apostles] without violence, for they feared the people, lest they be stoned.” This example illustrates how uncomfortable it can be to be caught up in highly charged political situations and be tasked with executing the will of those in power with contrary belief systems.

Our Covenant Loyalty to God

When one is baptized, there is a personal affirmation that he or she accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Master from that point forward. The acceptance of this mandate is necessary for Christ’s blood to redeem one from the punishment of sin and death. This affirmation now subordinates any other loyalty. The first commandment speaks directly to this element of the covenant relationship made at baptism, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). This commandment can be violated by anything that takes loyalty, trust or priority over God, including obedience to another authority.

Choosing Whom We Will Serve

To make a commitment to submit to two authorities sets one up for conflict (Matthew 6:24). What would happen if the will of the President or the assigned superiors were not in alignment with the holy, righteous laws of God? What if there were a direct contradiction between an order from a superior and God’s will? It would necessarily need to be disobeyed to keep one’s commitment to God, yet an oath has been sworn to obey the orders that must also be performed, according to a solemn promise. In Matthew 6:24, Christ speaks to the difficulty of serving two different authorities at the same time, especially when those priorities conflict. This verse illustrates the necessity of choosing a primary allegiance, as divided loyalties can lead to spiritual and moral conflicts. Where do you stand on this important issue? The time may come for you to answer this question. The time to prepare your answer is now.