We Go on Record

Pretty clear.

Because of my beliefs I cannot fight or kill any human being in any circumstance. I have been taught to turn the other cheek and to love my enemies through the teachings of the Catholic Church, and I refuse to aid in any kind of warfare or violence because it is not my choice who lives and who dies it is God's. No act, as seen in the eyes of God, is so terrible that it is beyond forgiveness, and would necessitate a counterattack of violence. So, for me associate myself with any act of violence would prove to be detrimental to my psychological welfare as well as my eternal soul.

My Catholic faith informs my conscience on the place of war in the world. There is such a thing as a "just war" and within a perfect context, war is an acceptable option.

The Living Spirit works in the world to give life, joy, peace and prosperity through love, integrity and compassionate justice among people. We are united in this Power. We acknowledge that paying for war violates our religious conviction. We will seek ways to witness to this religious conviction in each of our communities.
New York Yearly Meeting, (NYYM) Religious Society of Friends, Minute April 2006

I believe in a Savior that came down from Heaven in order to teach us the way of peace. I believe in loving my enemy and turning the other cheek, because my Lord died in order to teach me that lesson. In His ressurection He has proven that through Him love will triumph over hate, peace will triumph over war and life will triumph over death.

Jesus said, "Love your enemies." It is as simple as that. He also said, "No one can have two masters." I have only one, and that is Jesus. I will not kill or assist anyone else in killing. I refuse conscription to combatant and noncombatant roles.

It is my firm belief, in light of my personal conscience and Christian faith, that all wars and violence are founded upon illegitimate grounds. In light of my ethical reasoning I have never, and will never willingly support violence or war.

I believe that war is wrong, and seek to find ways to create a world in which war is never the answer. In my belief that all human beings are sacred and members of our human community (we are all connected and one as part of the beloved community), I hold a firm belief that killing one person is a loss of self.

I am a friend of God, a member of the body of Christ and a citizen in His Peaceful Kingdom. I am enjoined to love my enemies, whom have I left to hate? Who could suffer injury at my hands? How could I destroy the lives of the ones I am commissioned to save? As a follower of the true Prince of Peace, I can not and will not use the weapons of this world to fight my battles.

Check out www.therealwaronterror.com

I have been a CO since I was 10 years old when my Uncle "Bud" Day taught me the way of settling disputes peacefully. Although he was in the Navy, my uncle soon learned that military action and war is not the way to live or make changes. He taught this philosphy to numerous nations and peoples before his death a few years ago. In his honor, the New Day Peace Center (in Flagstaff, AZ) was named for him and continues to teach the peaceful way. I have been involed with the peace movement since 2000 and will continue to fight war no matter where I move or what I do.