Why Now?: The Evolution of a Conscientious Objector

Why Now? Out of the 9,000 men and women serving in our military during World War II, 12,000 refused to participate and bore the stigma of Conscientious Objector. Another 5,000 refused to register and spent time in prison. The author believes there are conditions and events unique to this century whose momentums and trajectories may negatively alter the course of civilizations as we experience it. He also believes the majority is dimly aware of these forces, but has not understood the serious consequences should some of these trajectories intersect. The possibility of nuclear war demands the majority pay attention to what pacifists and conscientious objectors have been living and saying. To believe nuclear weapons will not be used because of their extreme destructive power, is to deny history and humanity's embedded habit of war and our biological response to it. World War III can be stopped only by the refusal of its citizens to participate. The author believes that in this century conscientious objection to war may be on of the few viable alternatives to the self-destruction of civilization.