CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Southland Times, Issue 24533, 6 September 1941, Page 4

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

I wrote the following as soon as I had read J. P. Graham’s letter of August 29, but, feeling the futility of most newspaper correspondence, I did not bother sending it in. However, as

neither of those who answered has stressed the point that stuck out furthest in my view, here goes. I am glad that “Tommie Gunn has pointed out that our boys are fighting because they conscientiously object to evil. As for those whose consciences drive them to keep out of it all, I m afraid their cause is not helped by J. P. Graham’s last letter, which consists mainly of a list of instances of Gods intervention to aid and save our armed forces. Surely that means that He recognizes them as champions of His cause taking them under His protection and actively helping them. If I may say it without irreverence, He is not a “conscientious objector.” As I see it, this malignant growth in the world has reached operational stage, and the Great Surgeon requires varied voluntary instruments to accomplish the job. When he reaches out for a knife, the operation is dangerously delayed if parts of the tool shrink away, fearful of being soiled by the unpleasant task. With no heroics, but with a very clear idea of what they are up against, our fighting boys have dropped their careers, faced ruined health and death itself, because it seemed to be their inescapable job. LOGICAL. “Citizen’s” definition of a “Christian conscientious objector” is ingenious—extremely so. But it is a contradiction in terms. If there is such a conscientious objector, then he must base his convictions and resultant actions on the orders or commandments of the Founder of Christianity. Will “Citizen” kindly quote any words of Christ sanctioning or permitting his followers to engage in warfare? Jesus said: “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, cosmos, or age, then would my servants fight.” (John 18, 36). It would be well if “Citizen” would ascertain the facts relating to tire position of at least some conscientious objectors before 1914 before rushing into print. “Citizen” evidently is in ignorance of, or has not read, my first letter on this subject. Therefore no reply from me is due to the other remarks contained in his letter. . ~ . J. P. GRAHAM.