May 31, 2018 By: yunews
Dr. Cynthia Watchtell, research associate professor of American studies and director of the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program at , published an article in titled 鈥淐onscientious Objectors and Draft Registration: A Timely Lesson from WWI.鈥 Through the biography of her paternal grandfather, Benjamin Wachtell, who was drafted into the United States Army during World War I, she examined the subjects of military conscription and conscientious objection. Conscientious objectors refuse, based on 鈥渞eligious or other conscientious scruples,鈥 to participate in a war, either by not serving as a combat soldier (though willing to do noncombat service) or taking an 鈥渁bsolutist鈥 position and completely refusing to serve in the military at all.
Unknown to many people, registering for the military is still required of American men between the ages and 18 and 25, with severe penalties for not complying: a fine of up to $250,000 or a prison term of up to five years, or a combination of both.
In the article, Wachtell linked today鈥檚 mandatory draft registration, which makes no accommodation for conscientious objectors, with the drafting of conscientious objectors during World War I. 鈥淏oth a hundred years ago and today, conscientious objectors have been severely punished and penalized for their beliefs,鈥 she pointed out, citing such brutalities as being beaten, stabbed, and subjected to what was euphemistically labeled the 鈥渨ater cure.鈥 Seventeen 鈥渁bsolutists,鈥 who refused to serve in a noncombatant capacity or as furloughed farm laborers, were sentenced to death, though the sentences were never carried out.
Wachtell noted that 鈥淲orld War I teaches us that conscientious objectors, including absolutists, must be allowed to honor their convictions without the fear of punishment or reprisal.鈥 Currently, the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service is convening meetings nationwide on finding ways to get more Americans鈥攑articularly young people鈥攖o serve, 鈥渁nd the commission needs to hear that we must provide young men an acceptable option to register as conscientious objectors.鈥
