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Youth and Conscientious Objection

As a historic peace church, Mennonites have a long tradition of conscientious objection to military service.  Before World War II, leaders of peace churches secured legal exemption from military service for anyone who "by reason of religious training and belief is conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form."  

Here are resources for churches to help their youth think through their beliefs on military service and help them prepare for the possibility of a draft.

Think in terms of leading a study on conscientious objection every year, alternating between Ben's Story and Decide for Peace. Don't worry about repeating this material with the same students; two years is a long time in a teen's life.

For the Leaders

Lead the 5-session Bible study, Decide for Peace. 

Lead the 6-session study, Ben's Story.  Six videos with a lesson plan provided for each one.

The video, The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It, tells stories of conscientious objectors and includes a CO Handbook andGuide to the Draft.  It would go well with the Bible study above.

Behind the camouflage: A primer on military enlistment for youth pastors, mentors and counselors is a free online resource that equips pastors, sponsors and mentors to give good counsel, both practical and spiritual, to youth who are considering military enlistment.  ​

For the Youth

Make a copy of each of the following for each youth. 

How to Create a CO File 
easy instructions 

Christian Peacemaker Registration Form 
a short version just for CPMC youth; they can type directly into this Word document 

Formulario de Inscripcion como Pacificador 
the form above in Spanish. Youth fill out the last two pages. 

For youth considering enlistment: 
Do You Know Enough to Enlist? 

Tienes Suficiente Informacion Para Registrarte? 

Additional items

Joshua Casteel: How I became a CO

Video clips
 from presentations by Logan Mehl-Laituri and Joe Gibson at the Mennonite Church USA Youth Assembly in Pittsburgh, PA, July, 2011.

Peace and Justice Support Network resources


Registration and Basic Draft Information

Who is a CO?
an explanation of draft law 

Christian Peacemaker Registration Form 
MCC's longer version with commentary 

Mennonite Central Committee 
resources on conscientious objection

Center on Conscience and War 

Civilian Public Service


Viviendo la Paz 

Should I register? 
Call of Conscience is a web page and curriculum on conscientious objection from the Church of the Brethren.

AnabaptistFaithFormation.org is for Anabaptists everywhere from Central Plains Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA.
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