With the escalation of the Persian Gulf war and concern among some that the military draft could be reinstated for the first time in almost 17 years, Chicago-area Mennonite church officials say they are fielding dozens of calls about how to apply for conscientious objector status.
”We`ve received about 65 calls in the last couple of weeks,” said Ed Nyce, assistant director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, sponsored by the Lombard Mennonite Church, 528 E. Madison St.
The Mennonite Church, which traces its history to 1525, has a tradition of pacifism and quiet war resistance.
During World War I, many Mennonites went to jail rather than serve in the military. Since then, Nyce said, when the draft has been in effect, members of the faith have been allowed to do ”alternative forms of service such as work in mental hospitals or for the Forestry Department.”
Nyce said that while the Mennonites stress that ”each individual should follow his or her conscience” most resist participating in any war because
”it goes directly against all of Christ`s teachings. We don`t feel that we can love our neighbors and enemies and then turn around and kill them.”
Despite speculation by U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde, a Bensenville Republican, and others about the need for a draft, most government officials say it would not be neccessary from a military standpoint in a relatively short war and a political disaster for President Bush.
However, Rev. Richard Blackburn, the peace center director, said if a draft is instituted it would be more difficult for those interested in seeking conscientious objector status than in the past because of the 1980 draft law. ”The major change in the draft law since the Vietnam era is that one cannot register at the onset of the process as a conscientious objector because they no longer list that as an option on the draft registration form,” Blackburn said. ”Instead, one now would receive an induction notice and then have only 10 days to appeal for CO status, whereas before they had an indefinite time. Ten days is an unreasonable amount of time to prepare a fully documented case. Therefore, people interested in becoming a CO should begin documenting their case now.”
Nyce said the documentation process involves proving one`s opposition to participation in war in any form and should include letters from family members, friends and ministers, as well as a personal statement of conscience. To aid in the process, the Mennonites have a ”Christian Peacemaker Registration” guide form that can be picked up at the Lombard church.
In addition, the Oak Park Mennonite Church, located on the second floor of the First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Ave, will hold a conscientious objector workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
”Last week we received about 25 calls about how to apply and so we decided now was a good time to do the workshop,” said David Myers, the Oak Park pastor.
Myers and Nyce said working for peace is an ongoing part of their faith.
”But since the Persian Gulf war has escalated, our time spent in this aspect of peace has increased,” Nyce said.
He said besides the conscientious objector counseling and workshops the Mennonites have been calling local congressmen to encourage negotiations between Iraq and the U.S., offering speakers and audio-visuals to groups and organizing various prayer vigils, including one from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the Lombard church.
