Conscience, War, and the Courage to Prepare for Peace

In this episode of Faith in Process, producer Grayson Preece steps into the host chair while Pastor Harry is away and talks with Ewan Benjamin, a graduate student in conflict transformation at Eastern Mennonite University and Conscientious Objection Fellow with On Earth Peace. Together, they explore what it means to be a conscientious objector, why the Church of the Brethren has historically taught that “war is sin,” and how young people, families, and congregations can begin preparing now.Ewan explains why conscientious objection is not just a private belief, but a practice shaped by community, documentation, spiritual formation, and courage. The conversation moves from personal conviction to Selective Service, from Brethren history to Civilian Public Service, from the Sermon on the Mount to present-day organizing, and from fear about the military system to hope rooted in conflict transformation.This episode is especially helpful for youth, parents, grandparents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, and anyone who wants to understand the Brethren peace witness in a changing world. Based on the uploaded episode transcript.Run of show00:00Welcome and introduction00:35Grayson hosts while Harry is away and introduces Ewan Benjamin01:20What conscientious objection means02:40Selective Service registration and the missing “CO checkbox”04:12How to document a conscientious objection claim07:25Why family, friends, and church community matter09:24Objecting to one war versus objecting to all war12:00A brief history of Brethren conscientious objection14:43World War II, alternative service, and Brethren Volunteer Service15:49Automatic draft registration and current concerns17:25Audience question: non-registration, risks, and consequences21:00How churches can support youth and teach peace23:53Biblical foundations for the Brethren peace witness27:42Just war tradition and early Christian nonviolence30:13God’s creativity beyond violence30:57On Earth Peace resources and closing invitation32:24Closing thanks and “Happy processing”Resource guide with linksChurch of the Brethren Conscientious Objection pageA denominational starting place for understanding conscientious objection, the Brethren peace witness, and available resources for youth and congregations.https://www.brethren.org/peacebuilding/co/Call of Conscience curriculumA Church of the Brethren curriculum designed to help youth explore peace, conscience, allegiance, and the practical steps of preparing a conscientious objector claim.https://www.brethren.org/peacebuilding/co/introduction/Church of the Brethren Conscientious Objector ToolkitA practical guide for creating a CO file, writing a statement of belief, documenting convictions, and preparing before a draft crisis.https://www.brethren.org/peacebuilding/co/toolkit/Center on Conscience & WarA national organization offering counseling, legal support, Selective Service information, and resources for conscientious objectors.https://centeronconscience.org/Center on Conscience & War: Selective Service informationA helpful resource for understanding registration, non-registration, state consequences, and conscientious objection.https://centeronconscience.org/selective-service-info/Selective Service System: Who Needs to RegisterThe official government page explaining who is required to register for Selective Service.https://www.sss.gov/register/who-needs-to-register/Selective Service System: Conscientious ObjectorsOfficial Selective Service guidance on how conscientious objector claims are handled if a draft is authorized.https://www.sss.gov/conscientious-objectors/Selective Service System: Automatic RegistrationOfficial Selective Service information about automatic registration connected to the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.https://www.sss.gov/about/On Earth PeaceThe organization where Ewan Benjamin serves as Conscientious Objection Fellow. https://www.onearthpeace.org/On Earth Peace Team pageEwan Benjamin is listed as the Robert C. and Ruthann K. Johansen Fellow in Nonviolence, Justice, and Peace.https://www.onearthpeace.org/teamOn Earth Peace: “I Object! Now What?”A May 17, 2026 online Sunday school session for youth, parents, grandparents, and church leaders exploring conscientious objection, Selective Service, and preparation.https://www.onearthpeace.org/2026_05_17_co_sunday_schoolCivilian Public Service and alternative service in World War IIA National WWII Museum overview of Civilian Public Service, the alternative service program shaped by the Historic Peace Churches.https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/conscientious-objectors-civilian-public-serviceShoes of Peace: Letters to Youth From PeacemakersA Brethren Press collection of letters from peacemakers written for younger readers.https://www.brethrenpress.com/product_p/9780871780454.htmBrethren Volunteer Service historyA Church of the Brethren overview of Brethren Volunteer Service and its history.https://www.brethren.org/bvs/history/Seagoing Cowboys and Heifer ProjectA resource from Swarthmore’s Peace Collection on seagoing cowboys, Civilian Public Service, Brethren Service Committee, and the Heifer Project.https://www1.swarthmore.edu/library/peace/conscientiousobjection/CPSResources/SeagoingCowboys.htmlThe Church of the Brethren and War by Rufus D. BowmanA bibliographic listing for the historical work referenced by Ewan in the conversation.https://www.journal33.org/salvjudg/html/chrwar.html Get full access to Harry Jarrett at pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe