A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

. Although the tragic war, which had brought untold suffering as well as loss of life and property to millions, eventually came to an end, the draft for compulsory government service in the United States did not. Except for a seventeen-month break in 1947-48, conscription for service has become a part of the American way of life. The Mennonite Brethren record for the past four years (given below) shows clearly that the brotherhood is deeply divided on the principle of nonresistance. TABLE IX Mennonite Brethren Men in Government Service 36 Form of Service 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 Alternative Service 102 123 108 97 Military Service 135 115 76 71 352 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH Several comments need to be made with regard to the above statistics. Since the term of service is two years, the figures are overlapping. It has also not been possible to ascertain the relative number of those who chose a noncombatant service in the military. The assumption is that probably the majority of those listed above were in the I-A-O category. It is encouraging to notice the rising percentage of those entering alternative service. In a response to questions in a recent survey (1971) sixty-four congregations indicated that they had had one or more members in military service during the last five years. The total number involved was approximately 225 (some churches had not specified the exact number). Only two congregations reported that they had taken disciplinary action against members who had served in the military. Conference statements on the subject of nonresistance in the postwar period reflect deep concern about the preservation of the principle on the one hand, and a certain amount of uncertainty with regard to its practical expression on the other. In 1948 the Committee of Reference and Counsel presented a comprehensive document to the conference on the doctrine of nonresistance. With regard to alternative service the statement (which was accepted by the delegates) had this to say: . . . the Conference expects that our men eligible for service, whenever called upon, will render valuable service-for our people and country in two channels according to their conscientious convictions: 1. In agriculture and forestry projects, mental hospitals, and other institutions of civilian character, and in the field of rehabilitation and relief. 2. As noncombatants in the medical corps, not bearing arms nor participating in the training with weapons, rendering service to the sick and wounded soldiers, to nursing and the saving of lives, but not participating in any services that would tend toward the destruction of human life, and no service in defense plants. 1 * The last recommendation appears to be partly inspired by the historic precedent of a "restricted medical corps" in Russia, and partly the result of pressures from the constituency. Unfortunately, the recommendation was mad