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 In 1968, at the age of 19, I was faced with the reality of being drafted into the U.S. Army as a foot soldier in the Vietnam War. I had lost my college deferment. Immediately, I had to grapple with the knowledge that I would probably be placed in the position of having to take the life of another human being on the other side of the world in a war I opposed.
I was not from a faith tradition that strongly supported conscientious objectors, so I had to work at obtaining conscientious objector status on my own. I wrote a letter and got friends and my pastor to write letters to the draft board in support of my stance as a conscientious objector. I was drafted and served my time in the Army, without bearing arms, as a medic, a pharmacy assistant, and a musician, though I would have preferred some form of alternative service outside the military.
Since Vietnam, there has been no military draft. A prolonged war on terrorism has raised the possibility-though remote-of a draft. A draft would require 18-year-olds, who currently are required to register with Selective Service, once again to face the possibility of being drafted into a war where taking the lives of other human beings is a reality. For many Christian youth and their parents-whether or not they were raised in a church with a peace tradition-the possibility of a draft immediately raises issues of faith and conscience, as it did for me almost 40 years ago. And like me, many youth and parents may be unprepared for the possibility of a draft.
As are many youth, parents and congregations, I am concerned about our preparation for even the possibility of a military draft. Informed preparation is important. Resources like videos, games and peacemaker registration forms, to help youth think through what kinds if questions they might face in seeking a CO classification, are available at <http://peace.mennolink.org/youth.html> or <http://www.mcc.org/ask-a-vet>. Titus Peachey, peace educator with MCC U.S., is a resource person available to respond to issues around youth and the military (call 717-859-1151). Preparation of youth, parents and congregations for a draft is crucial.
At the same time, I have a greater concern about other issues a draft raises concerning youth, parents and congregations-that peace education and witness within our congregations be consistent and comprehensive. What would it say about our peace witness if we have to scramble in the face of a draft to teach our youth, their parents and our congregations what we believe about violence, war, military service, peace and justice? The peace of Christ and its implications for living in a world of violence is a perennial issue, not just one that we must cram for like a final exam before the possibility of a draft that may effect our young people. Ongoing education and action for peace among our youth, parents and congregations may not keep away a draft, but it prepares the church to live as faithful peacemakers, as followers of Christ's way. Beyond preparation and education, working at preventing and ending war may be the best way to avoid a draft.
My concern for the church's peace witness goes even further than being prepared for the draft and working against war, as important as those things are. Are our youth, parents and congregations prepared for doing justice, a necessary part of peacemaking? When the threat of war or a draft do not loom on the horizon, how are we educating ourselves and practicing those things that make for greater equity and justice within our society and world? Are our youth ready to enter jobs and institutions where racism tries to hide its ugly head? Are parents committed to teaching their daughters to explore their full potential, as well as their sons? Are congregations prepared to welcome the poor, powerless and marginalized into their pews? Are we as a church willing and able to assist congregations where military service is often the only opportunity for the higher education or the economic survival of their youth?
These are also "things that make for peace," which the church needs to prepare for beyond preventing our youth from getting drafted. Christian youth, parents and congregations should definitely be prepared for any possibility of a draft, even if unlikely. But we should also be prepared to think through and work at the broader implications of following Jesus in a world where violence and injustice in many forms continue to challenge the church to be faithful on a daily basis.
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