“Should I Fight?” An overview of the recent symposium on conscientious objection
A symposium on conscientious objection was held in Oshawa, Ontario from November 6-9. Jeff Crocombe attended and wrote a report on the Spectrum Magazine blog.
Here’s a bit to get you started. Then click on the link to continue.
The Symposium began on Thursday evening with presentations from Barry Bussey and Lincoln Steed (Editor – Liberty Magazine). On Friday, presenters included Ronald Lawson (Queens College – The City University of New York) who reviewed the history of Adventism and Military Service from both a sociological & historical perspective. Ron utilized Church/Sect theory to explain the reasons behind the changing of SDA attitudes toward military service, noting that we began as a sect–in high tension with society–but have moved towards a denomination & as such have sought to minimize tensions with society. Thus the SDA Church’s changing attitudes toward military service are essentially one result arising from this desire for acceptance & “mainstreamization”. Ron pointed out that current estimates of soldiers with a SDA background who serve in the US armed forces (as combatants carrying arms) are around 15,000–a far cry from our pacifist stance during the American Civil war! It was great to finally meet Ron, a fellow Australian, Queenslander, & alumnus of the University of Queensland; I have read his articles and utilized them in my research & teaching.
US Army ready if the downturn gets out of hand (NY Post)
John Crudele
ARE you afraid that the economic downturn could get out of hand? I mean, really out of hand?
Well, don’t worry.
The US Army War College is on the case – ready to handle “unforeseen economic collapse” and the “rapid dissolution of public order in all or significant parts of the US.”
And you thought we were just dealing with a recession!
In a report published Nov. 4 – just in time for the holiday season – the War College’s Strategic Studies Institute posited a number of shocks that the country should be prepared for, including unrest caused by the economy’s failure.
The report has a snappy title, “Known Unknowns: Unconventional ‘Strategic Shocks’ in Defense Strategy Development,” and was written by Nathan Freier, a visiting professor at the college. The foreword was written by Col. John A. Kardos, director of the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute.
Freier lists a number of possible things we should worry about – because we probably don’t have enough of our own – including run-of-the-mill terrorism and the fact that China and Russia could align against us politically and economically.
Read the full article.
The Politics of Obama’s Faith and the Evangelical Left – Stephen Manfield
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Thomas Nelson Publishers has published a new book objectively presenting Barack’s faith. This video introduces the book. Many voters question Obama’s authenticity and beliefs, both religious and political, and how the two intertwine. According to Stephen Mansfield, the author of this book, Barack is “raising the banner of what he hopes will be the faith-based politics of a new generation . . . and he will carry that banner to whatever heights of power his God and the American people allow.”
A portion of the proceeds of the sales of this book from the above link will go to support ReligiousLiberty.TV.
Atheist Claims Harassment in the Military (AP)
Does the military encourage harassment of atheists? What is there are atheists in foxholes? This story is a poignant reminder that the rights of all to believe, or not to believe, must be protected.
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/atheist-claims-harassment-in-military/20080428092709990001
AP
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