Australian Christian Conscientious Objectors during the Vietnam War Years 1964–72

Geoffrey A Sandy

doi:10.3390/rel12111004

Abstract

Many young Christian men faced a moral dilemma when selective military conscription was introduced in Australia during the Vietnam War from 1964–72. The legislation was the National Service Act in 1964 (NSA). Some believed that their Christian conscience did not allow them to kill or serve in the army. Most of them sought exemption as a conscientious objector decided at a court hearing. Others chose non-compliance with the NSA. All exercised nonviolent Holy Disobedience in their individual opposition to war and conscription for it. Holy disobedience stresses the importance of nonviolent individual action, which was an idea of A.J. Muste, a great Christian pacifist. The research reported here is strongly influenced by his approach. It is believed to be the first study which explicitly considers Christian conscientious objectors. A data set was compiled of known Christian conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War years from authoritative sources. Analysis allowed identification of these men, the grounds on which their conscientious beliefs were based and formed and how they personally responded to their moral dilemma. Many of their personal stories are told in their own words. Their Holy Disobedience contributed to ending Australia’s participation in the Vietnam War and military conscription for it.

Highlights

He could accept the call-up to the army and serve in both combatant and non-combatant roles, judging they were compatible with his conscience. He could apply to be registered as a conscientious objector based on his Christian pacifism, and argue he be exempted from both combatant and non-combatant duties. He could apply to be registered as a conscientious objector based on his Christian pacifism, and argue he be exempted from combatant duties only
The primary purposes of the research are to: first, identify Australian Christian conscientious objectors to war during the Vietnam War years; second, examine the grounds for their conscientious beliefs; third, describe how these conscientious beliefs were acted upon; and fourth, assess what impact, if any, their actions had on societal change
The research was guided by a series of questions which included: what do we know about these Christian conscientious objectors as individuals? How numerous was this group? Are any denominations over-represented or under-represented amongst the group? Who complied and who adopted non-compliance with the National Service Act (NSA)? What were the specific grounds justifying their conscientious objection? What denomination did each identify with and is there any evidence they referenced denominational teachings in explaining their position? Were their arguments different from those not identifying as Christian? Were Christians treated differently under the Act than non-Christians, and if so, did it impact their response to it? How did the Christian objectors impact on societal change, the end of Australia’s participation in the Vietnam War and the end of military conscription?

Summary

Introduction

The Australian government introduced selective military conscription for twenty-year old men during 1964, with amendments to the National Service Act (NSA). A Christian man who was conscripted had a number of choices in resolving his moral dilemma He could accept the call-up to the army and serve in both combatant and non-combatant roles, judging they were compatible with his conscience. He could apply to be registered as a conscientious objector based on his Christian pacifism, and argue he be exempted from both combatant and non-combatant duties. It is assumed that no man of conscience chose that option

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Results

Conclusion