As a historic peace church, Mennonites have a long tradition of conscientious objection to military service. Before World War II, leaders of peace churches secured legal exemption from military service for anyone who “by reason of religious training and belief is conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form.”
Here are resources for churches to help their youth think through their beliefs on military service and help them prepare for the possibility of a draft.
Think in terms of leading a study on conscientious objection every year, alternating between Ben’s Story and Decide for Peace. Don’t worry about repeating this material with the same students; two years is a long time in a teen’s life.
