THE decision of the Federal Government to abandon compulsory National Service training will be welcomed by the brotherhood, upon whom the decision may have far reaching effects. It marks another milestone in Christadelphian re-action to conscription. Since the introduction of the “birthday ballot” for determining who should be called up, the procedure has become progressively more farcical. Whilst some of our young brethren have appeared in court to press their claims for exemption, others of the same age have been spared simply because their birthdays fell on an arbitrarily selected date. Laws must be just and uniformly administered to earn respect.
Christadelphians are not the only people whose consciences have caused them to refuse service. Since the National Service Act became operative on 1 7th March, 1951, to 30th June, 1959, 193,781 young men have been called up. According to a recent report, of the applications for exemption as conscientious objectors 232 were refused exemption, 1,080 were reserved for noncombatant duties, and 655 were granted exemption. Of this latter number, possibly more than half were Christadelphian members or Sunday school scholars. From this it is obvious that Christadelphian objections to military training have been firmly established before the authorities, not by lobbying, argument or representations, but through the country’s judiciary in every State. This is a channel which could only be disregarded if there was a deliberate intention to ignore the facts of the case.
Having achieved this desirable position with the blessing of God, it would be a grave mistake on the part of ecclesias to allow anything of our attainments to be forgotten or whittled away. When there is no pressure to maintain our stand it is easy to compromise it. The various generations of parents, ecclesial elders, Sunday school staffs have a continual duty to remind young people and ecclesias alike of the obligations of our separateness. The need to refrain from warmaking activities stands out clearly.
Our reasons are based broadly on the following points :-
1—Scriptures which may be classed as direct commandments, such as those which forbid rendering evil for evil, taking the sword, taking vengeance, or killing our fellow men.
2—Applying the many principles which go to make up our separateness from the world, together with the willing forfeiture of such rights and privileges of our earthly citizenship as may interfere with our expectation of a part in God’s kingdom.
The latter are of even stronger importance than the former since they involve many aspects of our walk to the kingdom and call for consistency of interpretation and practice.
In the courts our young men were obliged to demonstrate both by word and demeanour the strength of their convictions. Some were required to enter the unequal contest of arguing with a trained barrister. Our total rejection of service, including noncombatant duties in the medical corps, met with most vigorous opposition from the authorities. In many cases magistrates seemed to completely overlook the Act and become inspired with the idea of convincing our young men that allotting them noncombatant duties would satisfy their conscientious objections to service. It has been difficult for young untrained minds to resist the specious arguments of opponents more interested in winning a case than in seeing justice done. Certain points have emerged in these cases as being of great importance to the courts in their judgments of our applications :-
1—Being a matter of law, our appeals to the Bible have not carried great weight except insofar as they indicated a zeal and uniformity of belief.
2—The ecclesial rule which forbids members to serve in the armed forces has generally been given much respect.
3—Careful investigation of the applicant’s ecclesial background, regular attendance at meetings and earnestness for the Truth has been made.
4—A standard of living consistent with our profession of separateness has been expected.
The history of conscription in Australia and the Christadelphian struggle to gain recognition may be recalled for the benefit of many who have not been in touch with these matters.
During the first world war government efforts to invoke conscription failed. The premature and illegal calling up of our young men resulted in some brethren suffering imprisonment for short periods. Intensive activity of the ecclesias did not result in any satisfactory results. Although the brethren in England succeeded in obtaining exemption during that war, the years that followed it saw some uncertainty on the part of Australian ecclesias, mainly on account of inexperience and the lack of Government provision for conscientious Objectors. During the period of compulsory training that followed, most of the ecclesial efforts consisted of recording objections and certifying them by refusal to accept army pay.
However, when the second world war broke out, although the brotherhood was caught quite unprepared, it quickly became apparent some firm decisions must be made. It was decided no part whatever could be taken and intensive representations of various forms were made for exemption. There was a period of over 12 months of confusion, both in government circles and within the brotherhood. Conscientious objectors applied continual pressure for recognition of their position and the Christadelphian Central Standing Committee worked hard and effectively. A petition was presented to parliament and ultimately provisions were made under National Security Regulations for conscientious objectors to seek exemption. Many hundreds of brethren obtained exemption, usually on condition that other important work was undertaken.
National Security Regulations lapsed after the war and, when the 1951 National Service Act called up 18 year old boys, the brotherhood was faced once more with the need to make strenuous representations to have its conscience recognised. The position established during the war made this easier, although still difficult. During this latest conscription period most of the boys have gained exemption, but some, notably in Sydney, were placed in detention camps. There have been great weaknesses in the provisions for exemption and at least those who have served penalties for their consciences should have been permitted to apply again for registration as conscientious objectors, instead of having their names automatically transferred to the reserve forces.
To establish our present position has been long, strenuous and, for many hundreds of brethren, a nerve wracking experience. There has been abundant evidence that our prayers have been answered and our Heavenly Father has bestowed his rich blessings on us. With the removal of the strain there is temptation to relax and, possibly fall asleep. The emergency will certainly arise again, perhaps with even greater force. We will be well advised to keep before us, fresh and bright, the principles involved in our objections to all forms of military service .
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