Just War & The Draft

[Dream]

If one was drafted to fight in a war that was considered unjust, would the Catholic Church encourage that individual to dodge the draft so they wouldn't take part in an unjust war, or would the Catholic Church discourage dodging of the draft because it would simply put the burden of fighting on another individual?

Seems like a no win situation....

 

[EllenMoran]

DT, I believe one can legally refuse to fight as a conscientious (sp?) objector -- not "dodging," which, AFAIK, is not legal. However, I could be totally wrong on that, so maybe another Yank will clarify on this.

 

[marciadietrich]

You can join as a conscientiuos objector and not be forced to fight - though you could still be in a position of being shot at and killed as a medic or cook.

If someone on principle were willing to go to jail rather than join at all, I think that would be an honorable option.

Draft dodging I don't think would be a moral option given there are alternatives.

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

I know that prior to Vatican II the church stand was that conscientious objection was incompatable with Catholic doctrine. (I don't know the thelological details).
Vatican II states that a Catholic can be a conscientious objector if the war is unjust BUT fails to define an unjust war specifically. Without guideance from Rome, a Catholic is hardpressed to make a case for conscientious objection on religious grounds.

True is, in America it has historically always been very difficult to win CO status and for Catholics it has been a practical impossiblity.

 

[Adammi]

If I were to drafted I think that I would die (not in the war, but in dread). I hate war, period.
But I have a question. It wouldn't be any clearer to me that God wants for me to be a preist if Gabriel himself told me. When I graduate highschool and go to seminary, could I be drafted even if I was future clergyman?

 

[stray bullet]

Just tell them you're gay and you don't have to worry about the Bush administration drafting you

 

[Dream]

But refusing to fight in a war and being locked in a jail cell will have the same results as dodging the draft:

-You are breaking human law
-You are defying orders
-You are passing the burden of fighting on to a different individual

The only difference is that going to jail will lead to a miserable life and force taxpayers to pay for your food and rent.

 

[Dream]

Forgive my ignorance, but what does it mean to fight as a conscientious objector?

 

[Dream]

Bump.

 

[Alexis OCA]

When I graduate highschool and go to seminary, could I be drafted even if I was future clergyman?

Seminary students were exempt when we last had the draft.

 

[Dream]

Seminary students were exempt when we last had the draft.

Hmm... I didn't know that.

 

[Dream]

Bump again.

 

[marciadietrich]

But refusing to fight in a war and being locked in a jail cell will have the same results as dodging the draft:

-You are breaking human law
-You are defying orders
-You are passing the burden of fighting on to a different individual

The only difference is that going to jail will lead to a miserable life and force taxpayers to pay for your food and rent.

To me going to jail on principle of not joining the military under force is similiar to abortion protesters who passively disobey the law and are willing to be arrested under those circumstances. The Church allow for that. If the war was not considered just, or even probably if the person simply felt the draft itself was not just or needed, they could passively disobey if they are willing to take the legal punishment that comes with it.

As a veteran I feel if someone is willing to go to jail on principle that is perfectly honorable. To "dodge" the draft and actively run away from both the service and the punishment for disobeying the law would not be honorable and makes me think the principle is just a cover for the underlying reason to avoid serving.

Marcia