Conscientious Objection to Military Service and Homeland Defence
Conscientious Objection to Military Service and Homeland Defence
Conscientious Objection “One who objects on grounds of conscience, especially to military service. ” New Imperial Ref. Dictionary
World Conflict - Canada’s Role Bosnia l Cyprus l Golan Heights l Haiti l Afganistan l
Canadian Military Act l Militia Act l conscription (section 8) l exemption (section 9) l Today: Suspension - law to be drawn & enacted as situation arises
Trout Creek, May 11, 1917 Dear Brother Hinton, I am enclosing my card and also my son Charlie’s. We have been a little careless about it, mostly I think because we do not think there is any danger of conscription and even if it comes to that we would not be in any danger. But if it will be of any help to other brethren we are willing to give them the benefit of our help. The war has taken some strange turns. I confess I can’t understand it. The condition of Russia is the greatest mystery of all. It seems to one, impossible that a republican Russia should fill her role in the latter days. About the only result so far as we are specifically interested in it that I expect will be the complete drying up of the Euphrates power and the setting up of a little Jewish kingdom. And this seems to be hardly thought of yet. Yours in “Hope” Thos. A. Trussler
Trout Creek, May 11, 1917 - Conscription October 2, 1917 J. Evans “Test Case 3314545” Dear Brother Hinton, “Russia” : Ezekiel 38 - May 1917 Russia was in a state of revolution, provisional government with Republican leanings, October 1917 Bolsheviks took over “Euphrates Power” : Revelation 16 - Ottoman Empire completed, October 1, 1918, General Allenby took Damascus from the Turkish Army “Little Jewish Kingdom” : November 1917 - Balfour Declaration establishing in Palestine a national home for the Jewish people
Christadelphian Position l In 1864 John Thomas coined the name “Christadelphian” meaning brethren in Christ. Heb. 2: 11 l This group could then be identified and recognized by the American authorities as a separate and distinct group that did not participate in military activities.
Christadelphian Standing Committee Role: 1) To secure official recognition of the Christadelphian Church of Canada as being opposed to military service and to obtain exemption for its members from military and naval service of any kind whether combatant or non-combatant. 2) To endeavour, by means of making representation to the Canadian government and armed forces, to secure the release of conscripted Christadelphians from military service or imprisonment permitting them to engage in civilian work of national importance. 3) To maintain contact with, and provide when possible for, the well being of conscripted Christadelphians.
Test Case for Canada 3314545 “They believe that many major events in world history and their effect upon the nation of Israel have been foretold in Bible prophecy, which has been recorded by divine inspiration for the guidance of the believer, to help him understand which era in the divine plan his generation is witnessing. Under these conditions, they feel it is both foolish, futile and contrary to the divine will for them to attempt to play a part in the direction of political events upon any scale whatsoever, whether international, national or within the communities where they dwell. Correspondingly, they refuse to engage in any form of violence deemed to force the trend of events in a particular direction. Hence, when their native land goes to war, Christadelphians request exemption from military service. ” Page 19 E. R. Evans
Why war? Why terrorism? “From whence come wars & fightings? ” James 4: 1 Lusts of the Flesh l Lust for land l Lust for wealth l Lust for power Gal. 5: 17 -21
Objections to War l Political l Revulsion to War l Humanitarian Compassion l Religious
Our Conscience Our conscience is the measure of what we know to be the will of God, deciding what is right and wrong; consequently to us, the Bible is the only standard. “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. ” Colossians 3: 23 -24
Christadelphians vs. Military Service 1. Christadelphians are citizens of the kingdom of heaven, therefore: a) we do not recognize any national distinction of the church b) we do not demand citizenship in any other kingdom c) we can accept right & privilege extended to us by the government of the country in which we reside if such acceptance or the exercise of such rights and privileges do not conflict with the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ d) as the exercise of the franchise of a Canadian citizen has been interpreted by the Dominion Government authorities inseparable from the responsibilities of citizenship in Canada, we cannot vote
Christadelphians vs. Military Service 2. Obedient to the laws of Canada in so far as they do not conflict with the commands of God, therefore: a) military law when applied in the form of compulsory service nullifies the right of individual action or conscience, we cannot agree to obey this law b) voluntary wearing of military uniforms has been regarded as implying acceptance of military law, we refuse to put on the uniform c) since military law applies to all branches of the military (combatant & non-combatant) we cannot serve in such branches d) if and when the civil law of Canada requires the employment of Christadelphians in occupations considered to be of national importance, such work will be willingly undertaken, so long as it does not conflict with the laws of God Summary Report CCSC, pg. 10 -11
God Rules in the Kingdom of Men l. Daniel 4: 17 “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. ”
Strangers and Pilgrims “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. ” 1 Peter 2: 11
Strangers & Pilgrims l l l Observe laws of men unless they conflict with God’s Acts 5: 29 Paying taxes - Romans 13: 4 -7 Recognizing governments are ordained of God Romans 13: 1 -2 Rendering due honour -1 Peter 2: 17 Recognizing a higher authority in heaven - Acts 17: 7
Strangers & Pilgrims l Heb 11: 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. l Heb 11: 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. l Heb 11: 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. l Heb 11: 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Our Citizenship Heavenly Citizenship (choice) a “people for His name” Acts 15: 14 l obey God rather than men Acts 5: 29 l world is in darkness 1 John 5: 19 l love not the world 1 John 2: 15 l separate from the world John 17: 14 “our citizenship is in heaven” Phil. 3: 20 -21 l Earthly Citizenship (birth) l “come out and be separate” 2 Cor. 6: 14 -18 l obey man’s laws unless they conflict with God’s Matt. 22: 21
Heavenly Citizenship l called out to bear God’s name Acts 15: 14 l transferred our allegiance from man to God Acts 5: 29 l devote our lives to His service Rom. 12: 1 -2 l in doing this we live as “strangers & pilgrims” 1 Peter 2: 11
Dual Citizenship Earthly Citizenship. . . by birth Heavenly Citizenship. . . by choice Acts 5: 29 law of Christ requires payment of taxes (Rom. 13: 6 --7) l obey the laws of the state (1 Pet. 2: 13; Rom. 13: 1 -5) l honour the king or rulers of state (1 Pet. 2: 17). . . but cannot fight to preserve their rule l respect & obey the powers that be (Rom. 13: 1 -2). . . but cannot become involved in voting them in or out of office l
Strangers & Pilgrims l We are waiting to become part of “the army of heaven” which will bring righteous judgement - Rev. 19: 14 -15 l First, soldier of Christ must fight a spiritual warfare; fight a good fight of faith -1 Tim. 6: 12; 1: 18; 2 Tim. 2: 3 -4
Essentials in the Armour of a Conscientious Objector First - build up a character based upon the Christ law which will be above reproach or question, as a testimony that you have truly learned of Christ, whose law you will appeal. Second - make sure and certain, by knowledge, that you understand the scriptural grounds fully, which form the basis of your stand against civil and military service, where the oath of allegiance to any but God is involved. - Canadian Christadelphian Standing Committee January 15, 1936
Principles of Christ vs. Principles of Warfare l l l resist not evil Matt. 5: 39 love your enemies Matt. 5: 44 recompense no man evil for evil Rom. 12: 17 vengeance is God’s Rom. 12: 19 follow peace with all men Heb. 12: 14 put away your sword Matt. 26: 52 l resist evil treatment from others hate thine enemies l evil for evil l vengeance is ours l war on enemies of my country l draw your own gun, defend your country l
Christadelpian Attitude Towards Killing l To kill for any reason is forbidden Matt. 5: 21; Mark 10: 19; Luke 18: 20 l Even hatred of one’s brother is regarded as equivalent to murder Matt. 5: 22; 1 John 3: 15
Christadelphian Attitude Towards Avenging l Vengence belongs to God alone, not a human right Rom. 12: 19 l Persecution is our lot in life - John 15: 18 -20 l Chastening builds characters fit for God’s kingdom Heb. 12: 5 -11 l God will avenge in due time - Luke 18: 7, 11; 2 Thes. 1: 6
God’s Attitude Towards Killing Taking of a life is a divine prerogative alone: l l Cain & Abel Genesis 4: 8 -12 God already passed sentence of death Gen. 2: 17; 3: 19 God destroyed the wicked Gen. 7: 21 -22 Commanded Noah’s family not to take human life Gen. 9: 6 God inflicts death as a punishment on those worthy of His judgement Rom. 1: 18 l God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked 2 Pet. 3: 9
Exemption from Military Service Problem of Inconsistancy l violation of government’s laws? l violent activities (sports & leisure)? l participation in elections? l lack of attendance? l clubs & associations? l employment?
Homeland Defense Judges - Police Officers: Organization as a whole serves a purpose Rom 13: 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Rom 13: 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Rom 13: 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Our Relationship with Law Enforcement l Ecclesia Believers to judge within the household of faith. l 1 Corinthians 5: 12 -13 l civil World God will judge those outside household of faith 1 Corinthians 6: 1 -8 l criminal - God acts through intermediaries
Our Relationship with Law Enforcement Nature of Laws l sometimes laws opposed to God’s principles Method of Enforcement l sometimes violence necessary for compliance l use of weapons l enforcing laws which we disapprove of Inconsistent with Laws of Christ “recompense to no man evil for evil” - Rom. 12: 17 -19
Test Case for Canada ‘ 3314545’ A Time of Apathy “We have come to a time when moral issues which should be straightforward and clear-cut have been blurred with psychological considerations, modernization of morality, situation ethics, and a great variety of philosophies. When John Evans was approaching manhood, the issues were still being set forth in stark relief. The fact of God was accepted. Men and women made a choice to be on God’s side, or not to be, and John chose to be on God’s side. He chose, as did Joshua and his family, ‘to serve the Lord’. ” June 9, 1971 K. G. Mc. Phee
God is in Control “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. ” Daniel 2: 44
Death & Resurrection of Christ LAW OF MOSES National Code of Conduct LAW OF CHRIST (heart) Law which seeks Obedience Gal. 3: 13 PRINCIPLES External Actions Inner Man
Origin & Abolition of War l l l God declared war on sin & death Gen. 3: 15 -19; Ex. 17: 16; 1 Cor. 15: 25 -26 - sin is the cause of war between men & nations James 4: 1 God has declared war on unrighteousness Romans 1: 18 Sin, war & death will be eradicated leading to God’s glory 1 Corinthians 15: 28 GOD ALONE WILL ABOLISH WAR ON EARTH
Christ Commands Non resistance to evil - Matt. 5: 39 -40 l Not taking vengence - Rev. 12: 19 l Not rendering evil for evil - 1 Thes. 5: 15 l Not taking the sword - Matt. 26: 52 l Not killing - James 2: 11; Rom. 13: 9 l Not fighting but rather fleeing from invading forces - Luke 21: 20 l
Strangers & Pilgrims OBEDIENCE to laws of God - Ex. 35: 21 KNOWLEDGE - Matt. 7: 21, 24 -25; Ex. 36: 2 -3 COMMITMENT - Luke 9: 23 -24; Ex. 34: 42 -43
Canadian Christadelphian Standing Committee Members Brethren: P. Stonell M. Webster G. Macfarlane E. Evans J. Horton R. Farrar 2005
Support Materials Conscientious Objection to Military Service J. A. Cowie Test Case for Canada - E. R. Evans ® The Christian’s Relations with the State - K. Pook ¯ The Duty of Christians in Time of War H. Grattan Guiness ° Summary Report of the Work of the Christadelphian Standing Committee - W. A. Weir ± Christ and War - C. C. Walker ¬
- Slides: 39