Conscientious Objector

I thought I would make this letter public since I do that sort of thing.

- Greg

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April 28, 2010

To the Wabash Conference of the Free Methodist Church of North America:

I am here declaring my right to register officially with the Free Methodist Church as a conscientious objector to war in accordance with the Book of Discipline Section A, Paragraph 332.3 (1995 Book of Discipline).

Briefly stated, after several years of intense study on the morality of war, I have concluded that Christ calls his followers to a nonviolent, alternative way of life which upholds the suffering cross as our example rather than military power or national flags. I believe Christians are called to resist evil, but to do so without entering into the very violence that the world condones. Many of Jesus’ teachings seem to me to be quite clear on this point, especially in his famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7.

I renounce the desire to control the course of history as misguided and commit myself to fidelity to God’s sovereign purposes even at the cost of my own life. We worship and imitate the Lamb Who Was Slain. On the cross, Christ redefined the meaning of “power” and revealed to us that the ultimate redemption of creation is laid on the foundation of self-giving, suffering love for the sake of the Other rather than upon retaliation.

Violence is cyclical. This has been demonstrated through all of world history and I am convinced that, among his many other missions, Christ came to teach us how to break out of the cycle of violence that has existed since Cain and Abel. Although not a professing Christian, I certainly agree with the insight of Mahatma Ghandi who said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and the whole world would soon be blind and toothless.” Forgiveness breaks the cycle and puts an end to it. We, as the people of God, must have such a radical trust in the power of God and his resurrection that we would rather die than participate in the violence introduced to the world through sin.

Lastly, I believe that blind patriotism and sworn oaths of loyalty to a nation-state can compromise the Christian position. The agenda of God’s kingdom does not always align itself with the agenda of the United States or any other nation. For this reason, I prefer to swear no loyalty or allegiance to my nation lest it compromise my citizenry in a sacred country – the peaceable kingdom. Hence, I would find it a violation of my moral conscience to enter into the military or even public office for fear that it could divide my loyalty and put me in a position of moral compromise.

Respectfully Submitted,

Gregory R. Coates