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Worksheet on War Objection

The worksheet that follows incorporates questions from Form 22, the Selective Service System documentation form for COs facing the draft. Form 22 will have to be revised to reflect court decisions. While no one can predict what will be on future IRS forms, in the event the tax laws change, these questions will probably be reflected in those forms.

QUESTION 1: DESCRIBE THE BELIEFS WHICH ARE THE BASIS FOR YOUR CLAIM AS A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR. IF APPROPRIATE, STATE WHETHER THOSE BELIEFS WOULD PERMIT YOU TO SERVE IN A NONCOMBATANT POSITION IN THE ARMED FORCES, OR PAY TAXES FOR WAR.

(Form 22, the Selective Service System Documentation Form for Conscientious Objectors, says: "Describe your beliefs which are the reasons for your claiming conscientious objection to combatant military training and service or to all military training and service.")

This question asks you to describe, in some detail and as honestly as possible, the basic principles by which you guide your life. You should describe those values which are of utmost importance to you, such as God, love, truth, etc., and why these beliefs are in conflict with participation in war or paying for war or preparations for war. This question asks you to formulate your own statement of conscientious opposition to war. You should begin by saying that you are conscientiously opposed to war, and then describe the beliefs that lead you to such opposition. (Feel free to use additional paper for the answer to this and other questions.)

The second part of this question seeks to determine whether as a draft registrant you claim noncombatant status in the military or a full exemption from military service. You should specify what it is about noncombatant service which would violate your conscience if this is the exemption you seek. Conscientious objectors to paying taxes for war should specify what it is about paying taxes for war which violates your conscience.

Although at this time federal law does not provide exemption for selective objectors, nuclear pacifists or conscientious war tax objectors, this should not stop you from filing such statements of belief or making claims for exemption on these grounds. In the event your beliefs develop or the law changes, your statement could prove very important.

If your convictions lead you to be a noncooperator, you may wish to use your answer to this question to record your beliefs.

QUESTION 2: DESCRIBE HOW YOU ACQUIRED THESE BELIEFS.

(Form 22 says: "Describe how and when you acquired these beliefs.")

In answering this question, you should include anything of significance which helped to form your beliefs. Mention any religious training you have had if you feel such training has helped you arrive at your position. If you feel you arrived at your beliefs with no formal training, there is, of course, no need to mention any. The influence of clergy, teachers, family members, books, television, movies, membership in organizations and experiences in your life should be listed. Be specific. You need to show that strong influences in your life have stimulated you to think clearly and seriously about participation in war.

Specific incidents can be mentioned, such as seminars, or assemblies you have attended, courses taken, trips taken, contact with refugees, demonstrations you were in, to show that your beliefs had substantial formation beyond a merely "academic interest." Obviously, if you have experienced war, be sure to reflect on it. Take care not to give the impression that your belief is primarily a matter of political considerations, expediency, or merely an arbitrary, personal moral code unrelated to higher values. Unconventional beliefs do qualify, but they will require careful statement.

QUESTION 3: DESCRIBE HOW YOUR BELIEFS AFFECT THE WAY YOU LIVE AND THE TYPE OF WORK YOU DO OR PLAN TO DO.

(Form 22 says: "Explain what most clearly shows that your beliefs are deeply held. You may wish to include a description of how your beliefs affect the way you live.")

This may be a difficult question for objectors who have not had many experiences which can show sincere beliefs. Select the best illustrations of your convictions. You can discuss how your future plans are strongly affected by a commitment to those beliefs. Describe kinds of employment you have had or plan to have which reflect your commitment. Discuss any public expression, written or oral, you have given to your beliefs. Describe your lifestyle, mention your life’s goals as you have set them, and show how they are an outgrowth of your beliefs. This question allows you to demonstrate the sincerity with which you hold your beliefs.

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