International Conscientious Objectors Day: Honoring the Courage to Say No

The idea behind conscientious objection goes beyond just refusing to bear arms. It reflects a deep commitment to nonviolence and the belief that war is never the solution to conflict. Many objectors align themselves with pacifist philosophies or religious doctrines, such as those held by Quakers, Mennonites, or Jehovah’s Witnesses. Others object on purely secular grounds, guided by their conscience and personal experiences. What unites all of them is the courage to stand up for their principles, even when doing so comes at great personal cost.