| | '''Pacifism''' is the refusal to participate in any wars. "[[Conscientious objector]]" laws usually permit pacifists to avoid a draft (mandatory enlistment) in war. Some are assigned to non-combat military service (with pay and veteran's benefits); some are assigned to civilian work in hospitals (without pay and without veteran's benefits). Those who refuse to participate in any way are imprisoned. | | '''Pacifism''' is the refusal to participate in any wars. "[[Conscientious objector]]" laws usually permit pacifists to avoid a draft (mandatory enlistment) in war. Some are assigned to non-combat military service (with pay and veteran's benefits); some are assigned to civilian work in hospitals (without pay and without veteran's benefits). Those who refuse to participate in any way are imprisoned. |
| − | Pacifism is supported by [[peace churches]], such as the [[Quakers]], [[Mennonites]], [[Amish]], Brethren (Dunkers), Schwenkfelders, and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] | + | Pacifism is supported by peace churches, such as the [[Quakers]], [[Mennonites]], [[Amish]], Brethren (Dunkers), Schwenkfelders, and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] |
| | The peace churches - Quakers, Mennonites, Brethrens, Schwenkfelders, and Moravians - attempted to take no position during the American Revolution. Claiming a higher sovereign than either Parliament or Congress, they sought to remain aloof from the dispute. Such a position was impossible without persecution, however. Those who refused to bear arms were taxed, and the tax money was used to support the war effort. Thus there was no escape from involvement in the secular issue of Independence.<ref>Richard K. MacMaster, "Neither Whig Nor Tory: the Peace Churches in the American Revolution," ''Fides et Historia'' 1977 9(2): 8-24,</ref> | | The peace churches - Quakers, Mennonites, Brethrens, Schwenkfelders, and Moravians - attempted to take no position during the American Revolution. Claiming a higher sovereign than either Parliament or Congress, they sought to remain aloof from the dispute. Such a position was impossible without persecution, however. Those who refused to bear arms were taxed, and the tax money was used to support the war effort. Thus there was no escape from involvement in the secular issue of Independence.<ref>Richard K. MacMaster, "Neither Whig Nor Tory: the Peace Churches in the American Revolution," ''Fides et Historia'' 1977 9(2): 8-24,</ref> |