Conscientious objector

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A conscientious objector is a person who refuses to serve in the armed forces because to do so would violate his conscience. Such people are often motivated by a philosophical or religious idea of pacifism, such as Quakers or Jehovah's Witnesses.

Conscientious objector status is generally not given to people who have political reasons for opposing their nation's military policy, even if they call themselves "anti-war". They must demonstrate a moral or religious objection to the institution of war itself.