is it true that the only way to be a conscientious objector...?

Question

from the military is to prove affiliation with certain religious groups which feature pacifism? if so, how is that not a blatant failure to separate church from state?

yeah, no kidding. I'm well aware that the phrase isn't in the constitiution.

my point is that it's tantamount to endorsing theism because it discriminates based on religion.

Lura, you're wrong. it's not a requirement, and Congressman Keith Ellisman was sworn in on a Koran...THOMAS JEFFERSON'S Koran, to be exact.
No incoming members of Congress swear in on the Bible. Everyone is sworn in together during a private ceremony without any religious text. It’s only during a ceremonial photo-op that a book may be brought out

Shaolt, my question is pertaining to a draft situation, not a voluntary one. clearly volunteering for the military contradicts any claims one might make to pacifism.

Answer 1

There is no such thing or even such a phrase in the U.S. Constitution that guarantees "separation of church and state". The establishment clause of the First Amendment says that Congress shall make no law that establishes a state religion.

Answer 2

Phew at first I thought this belonged in the military or politics section. But okay...... The point of Separation of Church and State is that the government can neither endorse a religion or keep people from maintaining their beliefs. Essentially the government's hands are tied concerning religion. The only exception is when a religion tries to control the government. Religious people may control the government, but they cannot make their religion the law of the land. The government must "respect" religion, but cannot "respect the establishment of religion". Letting someone exercise their beliefs neither establishes it nor requires that other people attend such devotions. I think it seems strange that people who are in religions that advocate Pacifism would even be let in the military..... Lets face it, the job of the military is to kill people..... Whether it is to kill Nazis or terrorists, the military kills people, that is what they are trained at, and they are very good at it. People who would never kill another person simply shouldn't join! It is voluntary to join the military right now, but people should know that once you join, you are no longer there voluntarily. You have a duty and you must comply with it. So in short, while I don't think conscientious objectors are unconstitutional or a violation of Separation of Church and State, people should be wise enough to know that when they sign up for the military they may be dropping bombs on Koreans or Frenchmen, it doesn't matter; if they sign up they should be ready to kill people who personally haven't offended them.......... Thats just the way the military is, and if people don't like it, they shouldn't join.

Answer 3

In the first place I don't think it's true and in the second place there is no such thing as "separation of church and state." I have had an ongoing $500 reward for anyone who can point to those words in the Constitution.

The First Amendment is within the Bill of Rights and the purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect the people from violations by government - not vice versa.

Answer 4

Maybe it can somehow be lumped in with being mentally unstable. If someone held such a strong religious belief that they could not fight in a war because they'd have a complete breakdown if they went against what they believe God wants them to do then that may get them branded with some sort of psychological problem instead. I really don't know, it's just a thought.

Answer 5

There is no separation of church and state. Go ahead and try to find that one in the constitution. It's not. The only thing it talks about is not being able to establish a national religion. Leftists take this too liberally (go figure) and try to eliminate all references to God. I mean, all public offices still get sworn in with their hand on Christian Bible. (Even Jewish ones too!)