The Extinction of Conscientious Objectors in the Armed Forces?

摘要

I am pleased with this invitation to respond to the article 'Conscience and Carnage in Afghanistan and Iraq', by Larry Minear. His article offers valuable perspectives - weaving together comments from war veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan with a number of ethical, policy and practical concerns. To frame his discussion he asks: "Whatever happened to conscientious objectors?' I will address the matter of conscientious objectors and then raise questions about recruiting today's force, religious guidance for military service, the emphasis on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emergence of 'moral injury', selective conscientious objection, and prospects for a new national discussion on war and matters of conscience in the USA.