2.
Jud g e:
Christian
responses
tion on s c r i p t u r e
3.
SEE:
Act
The C o n t e x t
followed
by r e f l e c ­
and c h u r c h
teachings
:
(Name of C a m p a i g n ? )
we
find o u r s e l v e s
NATIONAL
INTRODUCTION:
in
who
V i o l e n c e and w a r
is e s c a l a t i n g all
th e t h r e a t of n u c l e a r - w a r
horrific scales
South Africa
bu t
of
the
has c r e p t
prospect
tak i ng p l a c e
forces clashing
the
b o m b b la s ts ,
detained,
about
w a g e d a l l a r o u n d us and ab o u t
k i l l e d c a ug ht
stories
between
tell us that
a c o n t ex t,
the
with
sides
many
the l i n e of
that all
Today more
words
stand what
to our c o n f l i c t - r i d d e n
it is that
the one hand we have b ee n
th at
the
-enemy
is w a g i n g a
o u r v e r y w a y of life.
t his
told
increase
-total
p e o p l e w h o have b een
machine,
the
major
w o u l d g e n e r a l l y h ave
th e S A D F o r the N a t i o n a l
stead
it is e s t i m a t e d
leaves
joining
that
of
On
its
our
victims
little
p ro b l e m s .
which
white
is w i d e s p r e a d g r a s s r o o t s
threatens
fear
their over-riding
other
of
increased
a
10 0 0%
h an d
black
this
process
four of e v e r y
media
people
confidance
party's
under­
the o f f i c i a l
of
military
or
re s p e c t
r ef o rm .
In ­
five m i l i t a n t s
who
political
Po l l s
support
u n r e st
further
for
issue
T h e a i m of
fac ed w i t h
in the
the d u t y
a n d we
on
this,
culty often
between what
must
can
come
in
of an
We w i l l
a prayer which
in our m i d s t .
methodology
w h i c h wi l l
effectively
it
reality
is
that
as w e l l
us,
w hat
is G o d ' s
right
will?
to ac t
Essentially
faith w i t h
are
any
Th e d i f f i ­
which
begin
the
sincerely open
is
h e l p us to go a b o u t
in the
li gh t
we
e a ch
of
is f u r t h e r n e e d e d
will
a s of our
in
to r e m i n d us
O n c e we
fo r
have
is the d i s t i n c t i o n
that yo u
serve
God's will
present
what
request
discovering
th i s
we
conscience.
is G o d ' s
will
u p on
is for us
the G o d - g i v e n
informed
and what
reflect
As C h r i s t i a n s
the a t t i t u d e of o p en
b e f o r e Go d.
covering what
is to h e l p C h r i s t i a n s
of G o d
furthermore
is my w i l l
of G o d
faith.
the w i ll
REFLECTION
to
honestly d i s c e r n i n g
replace
meeting with
presence
have
the b a s i s
li e s
service
their
to d i s c o v e r w h a t
upon
nothing
this b o o k l e t
national
lig ht of
situation,
A CHRISTIAN
to
a
dis­
of
our
faith.
ri ch
to i n d ee d
to
illustrates
the
South
by Jesus'
defence-budget
the A N C and U m k h o n t o We S i z w e.
t he r e
to
in
of
has b e c o m e
the c o u n t r y b e c a u s e of o n g o i n g
f ro m w i t h i n So u t h Africa.
an d of
onslaught-
to R4,4 b i l l i o n w h i c h
in a p e r i o d of 15years.
bridges,
if we a r e
through
the
In s uch
we ne e d
ro o t
The majority
Fr o m 1960 to 1985
f ro m R 4 ,4 M i l l i o n
t hat
the
is the truth and so d e f e n c e
priority.
fo r
l ies at
were
horrifying
far m o r e
But
bei n g
land.
buried
land,
in
being
who
to be r e m i n d e d
" B l e s s e d a re the P e a c e m a k e r s " .
bring peace
On
than e v e r w e ne e d
ha s
read
residents
in our
the g o l d and d i a m o n d s
We
These
u n i t i n g ou r s t r i p e - t o r n s o c i e t y a r e w o r t h
Africa
and w h i t e
in the wa r s
fire.
on
now,
children
th o s e w h o are c a p a b l e of b u i l d i n g
soil.
ye a rs
innocents
th er e is no p e a c e
with
hu ma n i t y .
b i tt er .
about
h e a v y l o s s e s on b o t h
to
black
and
and,
destruction
for m a n y
between
everyday about security
or ab o u t
of
close
country
late become particularly hostile
t ow ns hi p s,
the w o r l d
dangerously
has been a d i v i d e d
the p o l a r i s a t i o n
over
are
SERVICE:
is
r ef l e c t
this m o v e m e n t
Method
was
of
Enquiry:
that d e v i s e d
used
by C a r d i n a l
Basic Christian
recognise
that
the
of life,
truth
This
involves
around
for
simple
causes
of
is
H is
innovation
the re are
faith an d
this
the p r o b l e m s
and
u s ef ul ,
as
st eps:
us an d e x p l a i n i n g w h y
root
Cirdiyn
most
which
the C h r i s t i a n
t r u t h of
found
A c t i o n M o v e m e n t s as w e l l
Communities.
the
three
we
Joseph
th e w o r l d o v e r by C a t h o l i c
by th e
the
The method which
was
th r ee b a s i c
the
to
t r ut h s:
tr ut h of a c t i o n .
1) a n a l y s i n g
what
is the case,
by identifying
we see only
we
see
p a r t i a l l y at
the
surface.
2)
judging
based
both
3)
the
in
t hi s
reality
upon
the s c r i p t u r e s
final
in the l i g h t of ou r
as well
s t e p we w o r k out
h e l p us
to o v e r c o m e
between
the w o r l d w e e x p e r i e n c e
Through
t his
covering
and
see
- ju dg e
of a l l o w i n g
the S p i r i t
w o r l d.
c o n t e n t s of
to the
The
th r e e s t e p s
Contents:
1.
practical
the c o n t r a d i c t i o n
- act
implementing
of
See:
and
The
teachings
actions
which
between
of G o d
through
th i s b o o k l e t
the se e
faith
church
l ife and
us
have a w ay of
in o ur
to
ar e set
in.
dis­
situation,
transform
out
will
faith
the w o r l d we b e l i e v e
m e t h o d we
the will
to w o r k
as
th e
according
j u d g e - act m et ho d .
context
we
find
ourselves
in
O n c e we a c c e p t
the r e a l i t y of c i v i l
are a few q u e s t i o n s we wi l l
begin
to b e c o m e part of
Each of
these q u e s t i o n s
to a n s w e r
them/
we w ill
the
1 -" What are
from y o u r
the caus es
Apartheid
flicts.
to 20% of
fact
behind
which
the
l a nd
legally
belongs
the b l a c k m a j o r i t y
The
not
form e d of
at the
and
allowed
w ill
only
that
the
actions
a re
peaceful
the S A D F b e g a n
in N o t h e r n
troops
Namibia.
(numbers
of
war along
government.
In
stated
the
“ the
( 2 i m b a b w e ,B o t s w a n a , M o z a m ­
must
the S o u t h A f r i c a n g o v e r n m e n t ' s
activities
to r e a l i s e
all
methods
take n ?
Le s o t h o and S w a z i l a n d )
to c ontinue,
of
of
which
the S t a t e S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l ,
t hey be ur ge d
and
since
one
on w i t h
in a c o n v e n t i o n a l
the A n g o l a n
increased terrorist
that
Siswe
be p o s s i b l e .
in the m i d - 7 0 ' s
their lives)
agaist
killings
military
without
ex­
peaceful
The government
its
g o v e r n m e n t s of these c o u n t r i e s
Zambia,
protested
fighting
to
after
the p o l i t i c a l
exclusively
t ro o p s as b a c k - u p to th e S A P
i n t e r i m per iod,
in
faced with
or
has
even
are st i l l
U m k h o n t o We
stability,
s ide U N I T A and a g a i n s t
bique,
has
this m i l i t o r y c o n f l i c t
have lost
that
the S h a r p v i l l e
T o d a y the S A D F is o p e n l y d e p l o y i n g
which
fact
The ANC
that
urban
t hat
the p e o p l e ' s
an d
th is
on
again
grave
f rom t h e i r
be
concern
territory
if this m e n a c e
of S o u t h e r n
in­
is
Africa
pa y a he a vy price".
T h e S A D F has fu r th er r e s p o n d e d to a n o n - r a c i a l , n a t i o n a l
d e m o c r a t i c m o v e m e n t of r e s i s t a n c e (star 2 1 / 1 2 / 8 5 )
which
f rom w i t h i n
rural
black
the b a s i s
SA by
turning
residential
th at
this
is
its t r o o p s on bo t h
a r e a s.
ill pa r t
It ha s
of
justified
the ANC
- SACP
r e v o l u t i o n a r y s t r a t e g y for o v e r t n r o w i n g the
government.
Th e AN C ha s in tu r n i n c r e a s e d the n u m b e r of i n s u r g e n t
at­
t acks
in S o u t h A f r i c a
Costs
of
Increasing
the c o n ­
resistance.
c h a n ge w i l l
It wa s o n l y r e c e n t l y
deploying
in
more
c a u s e of
participation
submitting
to p r e s e r v e
form has
involved
root
this po i n t
o t h e r hand has a r g u e d
2 ~ Wh a t
claiming
the
it f o r m e d
i n c l u de d a r m e d
necessary
i s su es
the p o p u l a t i o n
After
however
constitutional
the
to 1 960 u s i n g
m ea ns of re si s t a n c e .
two a l t e r n a t i v e s ,
Without
civil-war?
13%.
processes.
it was at
conflicts.
has e m e r g e d
3 - Th e
t his
73% of
th is s y s t e m f rom 1 912
it a r g u e d
these
can
r e s o ur ce s .
from an y m e a n i n g f u l
its b anning,
there
we
the p a r t i c i p a n t s , to d e v e l o p
the r e m a i n i n g
decision-making
land,
before
to
ra i s e a few of
t hat 87% o f
the rec e nt refo rms,
in o u r
complex.
the p o p u l a t i o n w h i l e
m ake do wi t h
cluded
solution
is by m o s t a c c o u n t s
The
war
clarified
is h i g h l y
e ach and d e p e n d upon you,
comprehensive
n eed
many more
on b ot h
or
of b l a c k a n d w h i t e
to w h i c h
or M o t h e r w e e p s
T hi s
is the
at
all
of
Church
re c ri si s .
The v i c t i m s
Th e c o m m u n i t y
has b e en
severely
to call O u r F a t h e r
for d i s c u s s i o n
1 — W h a t d o you
locked
in
t h i n k ar e
t h in k
militarisation
South Africans
th e r e an y
to
Africa
explore
have
ways
of
focussing
on
in k e e p i n g w i t h
be i n g
of
the e s c a l a t i n g
ci vi l
the s c a l e
become
to
p ar t
on e ?
to t a k e
of s o l v i n g
of
ou r
lives
to
l i v es ?
Is it a wa r
the
sacrifice
and e x t e n t
of
for
other
y our own?
this c o n f l i c t
participate
in
(and
which
perhaps
for)?
S.A.
the g o s p e l s
the c o n f l i c t s
in S o u t h e r n
is a just
better w a y s
be p r e p a r e d
in
of
involves
justify
and p e r h a p s
CHRISTIAN RESPONSES
Being an e f f e c t i v e w i t n e s s
Th e C h u r c h e s
w h ir h we
them all.
be p r e p a r e d
m ak e s a c r i f i c e s
nature
be m o s t
has
th is w a r
you w o u l d
this
the c a u s e
List
these cause
3 - Do you b e l i e v e
you w o u l d
within
today.
in o ur c o u n t r y ?
2 - Do you
context
together
would
Questions
me ss a ge ,
while
and d a u g h t e r s
children
serious
Part of
to Je sus,
4 - Are
belong
leaders
to c o m e
form of s e r v i c e ,
which
fat he rs .
of his
violent
the d e a d l y
a witness
which
life.
sons
a n d G o d w h o we d a r e
frighteningly
it n e c e s s a r y
solving
war
and
commonly
the s i g h t
th at m a n y C h r i s t i a n
w ha t
for
p e o p l e w h o a re
mothers
we
have
violence
to be p e a c e m a k e r s .
is b e c a u s e
found
South Africans
spiralling
c ombat.
a re c a l l e d
It
the
emotionally scorred
d a m a g e d as a r es ult,
m o r t al
in
are p eo p le ,
and s i s t e r s ,
people
years.
w ar?
injured
remain
si d e s
brothers
of
the civil
number
b een k i l l e d
in r e c e n t
ar e
and
of J e s u s
in
not
continually
the S.A.
society
an
easy
reflecting
task.
on
hi s
to try an d d i s c e r n
w ha t
t hey a c e b e i n g
Numerous
pastoral
on
guidelines
to h el p C h r i s t i a n s
ponse
called
in the S.A.
to do
to h e l p s o l v e
and s t a t e m e n t s
in th e ir d e l i b e r a t i o n s
h av e
about
b een
how
made
to
res­
situation.
In this d i f f i c u l t
and c h a l l e n g i n g
p e r h a p s o n e of the
m os t
t i m e we
difficult
find o u r s e l v e s
situations
in,
confronting
y o u n g w h i t e men is the q u e s t i o n of c o m p u l s o r y m i l i t e r y s e r v i c e
questions
ab o u t w h e t h e r or not
increasing
soci e ty .
to all
painful
in the face of
In t his s i t u a t i o n
in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h
the
the i r
To se r v e
This
h av e
polarisation
the C h u r c h s
because
ha v e
who
ar e
f a ce d
they b e l i e v e s e r v i c e
available
period
of
spread
over
an in i ti al
to the B o a r d
3 categories
c a r r y i n g a w e a po n)
to
ma y rot be
service
12
religious
of o b j e c t i o n
A. To s e r v e as a u n i f o r m e d
non-combatant
for the n o r m a l
C. To s e r v e an a l t e r n a t i v e
government
or m u n i c i p a l
p e r i o d of 1 1/2 times
leave S.A.
To a t t e m p t
5.
To r e f u s e
and go
(i.e.
period
non-military
department
the s e r v i c e
of
without
D A V E . 18 y e a r oL d s e r v i c e m a n rioing6 y e a r s a l t e r ­
n a t i v e s e r vi ce .
"I d o n ' t b e l i e v e in
war
of
an y
kind.
P o l i t i c a l p r o b l e m s can ne v e r
be s o l v e d by war.
It is b e c a u s e of this
a nd Christ's call for us to be p e a c e m a k e r s
th at I d e c i d e to a p p l y
for
alternative
military service".
P A U L : 30 y e a r ol d s e r v i c e m a n
in
exile
Th ere is no w ay s
I
can
in
conscience
s e r v e in the SADF.
Participation
doe."
no t ac t in the i n t e r e s t s of
the
nation
as a whol e, it c o n t r i b u t e s on l y
to
the
c a u s e of the d o m i n a n t w h i t e m i n o r i t y .
I
am not a r e l i g i o u s p a c i f i s t so
feel
my
o n l y o p t i o n is to
le a ve
S.A.
I
w i ll
r e t u r n o n c e it is l i b e r at ed .
for a
owe
1L '' * 23 i,ear old 3 e r v i c e m a n wh o is evading c a l l - u p
I c a n n o t e n t e r the S AP F a p a r t h e i d in S.A. I
s e r v ic e.
to
to l e a v e a .A.
I do not want
in a m a i n ­
c a l l- u p.
service
you
PET EM 23 y e a r olri s e r v i c e m a n in s e r v i c e
"I d o n ' t a.ii-.ie wi t h the S A D F or the role
it is p l a y i n g i n si d e
5. A.
and
in
our
neighbouring countries.
Its re a ly
just
an e x t e n s i o n of tile g o v e r n m e n t .
But w h a t
ca n we d o w h e n
th er e
isn't
really
an
alternative.
I d e c i d e d to go u n w i l l i n g l y
I'm to r e m a i n as C h r i s t i a n
as
possible
in my a c t i o n s an d not to kill a n y o n e like if we o r d e r e d to
sh o o t
I'll
just
tire a b o v e p e o p l e ' s need s"
for.
in
to the SADF.
lusti-e"9
C° ChS 3 C r u 99le tor p e a c e
j u s t ic e.
At ..he p r e s e n t moment, w h i l e I
a d m i r e those w h o take the o p t i o n and jail,
I do not reel r e a d y to s e r v e 6 y ea rs ’in
p ri so n .
The o nl y a l t e r n a t i v e for me
is
then to e v a d e the ca ll-up.
into ex il e
and
face a p o s s i b l e
6 years
do d gi n g ,
in
jail.
ANDRE:
What
ha v e C h r i s t i a n s
s aid ab o ut
JOE:
the v a r i o u s
p ac af ist S3 I h av e 3 o p t i o n s :
to go to jail or to e v a d e the c a l l - u p
to le ave the c o u n t r y as I
P
a n d 1a V r n L h ? Ve ? r e s P ° " s i b i 1 ity to s t a y i n g h er e
chis ' n
i- ° _ p l a y ln li b e r a t i n g the p e o p l e s of
b es t do th y ^ r ° m o p D l:e3ionI b e l i e v e I can
. . ttus b y r e m a i n i n g in the c o u n t r y and
a
continious
to ev a de s e r v i c e t h r o u g h deferments
to se r v e
follo­
ye ars.
pa c i f i s t s .
praided
B. To s e rv e as a n o n - u n i f o r m e d , n o n - c o m b a t a n t
tenance capacity
for
1
1/2
ti me s
e ac h
4.
a
for R e l i g i o u s O b j e c t i o n .
This o p t i o n is o n l y a v a i l a b l e
To
with
to s e r v i c e m e n .
2 years
3.
S.A.
in the SADF.
in vo l v e s
T h e r e are
of
a responsibility
we d by an additional 2 y e a r s c a m p s
To a p p l y
become
faith.
Vhatare the c u r r e n t o p t i o n s
2.
participate
th o se h u n d r e d s of s e r v i c e m e n
c r i s i s of c o n s c i e n c e
1.
to
of ' r e v o l u t i o n a r y ' b l a c k s leav es me w i t h
no a l t e r n a t i v e bu t to e n t e r inco the SADF to
protect S.A. my fa m i l y and
Christianity".
the c ri si s .
options
18 yea rs old s e r v i c e m a n in s e r v i c e . . .
"Both the UDF an d the A N C h a v e c a l l e d
upon their m e m b e r s h i p to m a k e
S.A.
ungovernable.
T h i s c o u p l e wi t h the
th reat of coi^imunismt and the a c t i v i t i e s
A 20 y e a r old
serviceman
on
the
run.
I h a v e d e c i d e d to re f u s e
to
serve
in
the SADF.
I d o not b e l i e v e th e re is e v e n
a s t a t u s as n o n - c o m b a n t in the S.A. s i t u a ­
tion.^
As M a g n u s Ma la n g h i m s e l f s t a t e d
it ta se s 6 to ?
non-combatantan d
to
s ee p one c o m b a t a n t in the field.
‘!y o p t i o n s are e v a s i o n or j =>i 1 " .
and
P H I L I P : A 22 y e a r ol d s e r v i c e m a n on the run.
"I h a ve in my hea rt an a b s o l u t e c o n ­
v i c t i o n that what I am do i n g is ri ght
I will not s a c r i f i c e my lie** or
lend
my b o d y to the d e f e n c e of a p a r t h e i d .
A p a r t h e i d is a cr i m e a g a i s t h u m a n i t y
an d m a n y of t ho se le a d i n g its
armed
f o r c es a r e its
foremost
criminals.
I can f o r s e e the da y wh e n th o se r e s ­
p o n s i b l e for c a l l i n g me up'-ura t h e m s e l v e s
on trial for t he i r cr imes.
As I s t a n d b e f o r e you, I
stand
for
peace and I stand
for
Justice.
I
s t a n d h e r e in the 3 p i r i t of the S.A.
we ha v e ye t to build".
I_VAN: A 32 y e a r o l d s e r v i c e m a n w h o we n t to jail.
“ I am on e of the m a n y u n h a p p y
cons­
c r i p t s who h ave to m a k e a v e ry diffi-*
c ult c ho i c e .
I've d e c i d e d to go
to
ja il r a t h e r than to serve.
I
hope
my s t a n d w ill c o n t r i b u t e to put pra:?.=sur =
on the g o v e r n m e n t to i n t r o d u c e c o n s t ­
ructive alternative national service
for all c o n s c r i p t s .
I am
committed
to S.A. a nd b e l i e v e that
the
tr u l y
p a t r i o t i c a c t i o n for me is to go to
p r i s o n r a t h e r than d e n y my faith and
my f ai th and b e l i e fs . S.A. is in a
s t a t e of c i v i l w a r and
we
h av e
to
take side s .
I b e l i e v e that the s ide
of j u s t i c e and truth is the s id e
of
the po o r an d d i s e n f r a n c h i s e d in
our
coun t ry .
I
stand
on
that
side".
These
W ha t
are some
responses
the C h u r c h e s
to the
have said a b o u t
current
options
compulsory
av ai l b l e .
military
service
in S.A.
S o u t h e r n A f r i c a n C a t h o l i c B is h o p s
C o n f e r e n c e (SACBC) R es ol u t i o n :
CPSA
"In this m a t t e r of c o n s c i e n t i o u s
o b j e c t i o n we d e f e n d the
right
of c o n s c i e n c e ;
the
r i gh t
of
e v e r y i n d i v i d u a l to f o l lo w
th e ir own c o n s c i e n c e the right
t h e r e f o r e to c o n s c i e n t i o u s
o b j e c t i o n on
the
grounds
of
u n i v e r s a l p a c i f i s m and on
the
g r o u n d s that the p e r s o n s e r i o u s l y
b e l i e v e s the w a r to be u njust".
(1977)
"That this S y n o d w i s h e s to m a k e
c l e a r that a l l e g i a n c e to C h r i s t
d e m a n d s of e v e r y C h r i s t i a n th at
b e f o r e he tak es
up
arms
for
any
p u r p os e,
or
enters
the
m i l i t a r y , he s h o u l d
f ac e
ou r
Lord an d a s k
himself
whether
th is is tr u ly w h a t
he
should
do...given
ou r
understanding
a£ the C h r i s t i a n faith an d its
i m p l i c a t i o n s for ou r
life
in
S o u t h A fr ic a, we feel b o u n d to
e x p r e s s our s e r i o u s d o u b t s
a b o u t the l e g i t i m a c y of a
m i l i t a r y s y s t e m w h e n it is i n ­
c r e a s i n g l y seen as the p r o t e c t o r
of a
profoundly
i mm o r a l
and
u nj u s t s o c i a l o r d e r ..... " (1982)
Provincial
Synod
Resolutions
- a * To d e f e n d w h i t e S o u t h A f r i c a n s o c i e t y by fo rc e of a r m s is to
d e f e n d t he p o l i c y of a p a r t h e i d .
To
defend
aparthc-id
is
to
d e f e n d an
u n j u s t cau se .
I is no t p e r m i s s i b l e for
Christians
to f i g h t an u n j u s t war.
Archbishop
METHODIST
CHURCH
OF
S.A.
Hurley
RESOLUTIONS
19 7 4
CONFERENCE
-
1986
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS
T h e C o n f e r e n c e , w h i l e a p p r e c i a t i n g the w o r k of the N a u d e C o m m i ­
t te e of the S A D F a n d the p o s i t i v e a s p e c t s of the D e f e n c e A m e n d ­
m e n t Ac t of 1983, finds the n e w
provisions
of
Conscientious
O b j e c t o r s , t a k e n as whole, to be
inadequate
and
calls
for:
Th e r e c o g n i t i o n of e t h i c a l , m o r a l and p h i l o s o p h i c a l o b j e c t i o n s
to w a r f a r e :
Th e r e c o g n i t i o n of the J us t W a r o b j e c t o r , w h e t h e r or
no t
h is
p o s i t i o n i n v o l v e s a r e l i g i o u s b a s i s or
political
assessment:
T he c o m p o s i t i o n of the E x a m i n i n g B o a r d for o b j e c t o r s in a l es s
p a r t i a l form:
An a d e q u a t e d i s c u s s i o n w i t h the C h u r c h e s to r e v i e w
these
an d
o t h e r a s p e c t s of the act.
J
P CSA R E S O L U T I O N
September
1986
Th e r e s p o n s e
The A s s e m b l y
c al l s on
the G o v e r n m e n t
1.
p r o v i d e that all c o n s c r i p t s w h o o b j e c t to s e r v i c e in the
S AD F on g e n u i n e g r o un d of c o n s c i e n c e , w h e t h e r r e l i g i o u s l y
m o t i v a t e d or not# may do a l t e r n a t i v e s e r v ic e;
2.
re du c e the s e r v i c e of a l t e r n a t i v e s e r v i c e , s i n c e it is to
be p e r f o r m e d in one c o n t i n u o u s p e r i o d at a low r ate of pay,
fr om one and half times the m a x i m u m p e r i o d of s e r v i c e that
can be r e q u i r e d of the c o n s c r i p t to a p e r i o d equal to that
m a x i m u m per iod;
and to r e d u c e at l ea st to a s i m i l a r e x t e n t
the p e r i o d of i m p r i s o n m e n t that can be i m p o s e d on an
r e c o g n i s e d objector;
3.
p e r m it a l t e r n a t i v e s e r v i c e
sations ;
4.
in any case r e j ec t the r e c e n t l y p r o p o s e d d e f i n i t i o n of
" r e l ig i ou s c o n v i c t i o n " w h i c h will f u r t h e r n a r r o w and
r e s t r i c t f r e e d o m of c o n s c i e n c e for th o se who o b j e c t to
m i l i t a r y service.
The A s s e m b l y finds this r e l i g i o u s
exclusivism particularly objectionable..
5.
in r e l i g i o u s
and w e l f a r e o r g a n i ­
Th e A s s e m b l y a u t h o r i s e s the C h u r c h a n d N a t i o n C o m m i t t e e to
a p p o i n t two p e op le to r e p r e s e n t the PCSA on the C o m m i t t e e
of the End C o n s c r i p t i o n C am p a i g n .
(inc l ud e also pe a ce c h u r c h e s a n d D u t c h R e f o r m e d C h u r c h
resolutions)
Scriptural
texts
to help us
1 Mat. 5:9
Ps 103:6
R o m 12:14
in our r e f l e c t i o n
Rom 13:8
Questions
In a n s w e r i n g th es e q u es t i o n s r e f e r b ack to the w o r d s of i n d i v i d ual s e r v i c e m a n, the chu rc h es and the g o s p e l s to h e lp you
d i s c e r n and r e fl ec t on the issues
think
is God's w i ll
1.
What do you
Wh y?
2.
Ho w do you
the SADF?
think Jesus wo ul d r e s p o n d e d
3.
Wh y do you
think he wo u ld
4.
What w o u l d be the i m p l i c a t i o n s of his
and b l a c k Sou th Afric an s ?
5.
How do you
6.
What ar e the i m p l i ca ti on s of
South Africans?
think Jesus
in
respond
of
the
C h u r c h e s to compii Isjry m i l i t a r y
service
in S
to:
the
in
S o ut h
African
to a c a l l - u p
situation?
from
Th e c h u r c h e s in S.A. a re c o n t i n u o u s l y r e f l e c t i n g on the t e a c h i n g
4
e x a m p l e of J e s u s in an a t t e m p t to d i s c o v e r what the ju st and
C h r i s t - l i k e r e s p o n s e to the S.A. s i t u a t i o n s h o u l d be.
In their r e f l e c t i o n s on the s y s t e m of m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e in S.A.
the c h u r c h e s a l o n g w i t h s e v e r a l o t h e r s e c u l a r " g r o u p s have
r e c o g n i s e d a nd s p o k e n ou t on the l i m i t a t i o n of the D e f e n c e Law.
The e x i s t i n g law fa i ls to a c c o m m o d a t e o b j e c t o r s wh o a r e not
religious pacifists.
M a n y s e r v i c e m e n who are not p a c i f i s t s
are a l s o u n w i l l i n g to s e r v e in the SADF, on the g r o u n d s that
they w ill be d e f e n d i n g a p a r t h e i d e i t h e r on the b o r d e r s or in
the t o w n s h i p s an d that this is not in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h their
beliefs.
A l s o the p r o v i s i o n s for c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e are too n a r r o w a nd we
b e l i e v e that o t h e r a l t e r n a t i v e s in c h u r c h or w e l f a r e o r g a n i s a ­
ti on s s h o u l d be a l l o w e d e.g. n u r s i n g , t e a c h i n g , y o u t h work,
d e v e l o p m e n t w o r k etc.
In 1933 the c h u r c h e s c o n v e y e d t h e i r c r i t i c i s m s of the D e f e n c e
Law to the g o v e r n m e n t w h e n they g a v e e v i d e n c e to the G e l d e n h u y s
Commission.
T hi s is just an e x a m p l e of the c h u r c h e s n u m e r o u s
a t t e m p t s to h a v e t h ei r c a l l s re c o m p u l s o r y m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e
heard.
All th es e a t t e m p t s h av e f a l l e n on de a f ears.
As c h u r c h e s we n o w b e l i e v e we n e ed to be a c t i v e l y i n v o lv ed in
h e l p i n g r e s o l v e the c r i s i s in S.A.
A key e l e m e n t to this is to
e x p l o r e c o n s t r u c t i v e w a y s in w h i c h n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e m e n can s e r v e
the p e o p l e of 3 . A. a n d to p r e s s u r i s e the g o v e r n m e n t to a c c e p t
them.
It is in t his c o n t e x t that we, the ch u r c h e s , h ave l a u n c h e d
the (A S P ) w h i c h w i l l g i v e s e r v i c e m e n a c h a n c e to sh o w their
c o m m i t t m e n t to b e i n g p e a c e m a k e r s in S.A.
T h e p r o g r a m m e is
a ls o a s ign of ou r s u p p o r t an d s o l i d a r i t y w ith all t h o s e wh o are
faci ng a c r i s i s of c o n s c i e n c e a n d wh o s u p p o r t o u r c all for
alternatives.
What
is
the
(ASP)
A p r o g r a m m e that
to
j u s t i c e and
is a n
peace
active demonstration
in our s o c i e t y .
of
our
committment
Volunteers
will be r e q u i r e d to w o r k for a p e r i o d of 2/3 ye a r s
in c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e .
T h e v a r i o u s c h u r c h e s have i d e n t i f i e d
those a r e a s and p r o j e c t s th at n ee d p e r s o n p o we r as we ll as
those s e c u l a r , w e l f a r e a n d c o m m u n i t y p r o j e c t s t hat n e ed help.
this way?
response
is c a l l i n g on y o u
for w h i t e
to r e s p o n d ?
this r e s p o n s e
W hy ?
for b l a c k / w h i t e
The list of p o s s i b l e
i n c l u d e t h i ng s like:
a.
b.
c.
d.
placements
is v er y
va ri e d an d wo ul d
B e i n g a h o u s e p a r e n t at a c h i l d r e n s ' home
W o r k i n g in a s c h o o l that n e e d s t e a c h e r s
W o r k i n g in o n e of the 100's of u n d e r s t a f f e d h o s p i t a l s
H e l p i n g on c o - o p e r a t i v e s or a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o je ct s.
P l a c e m e n t s are a v a i l a b l e a l m o s t a n y w h e r e in S o u t h e r n A f r i c a
i.e. insi de SA, the so c a l l e d h o m e l a n d s , N a mi b i a , Z im b a b w e ,
B o t s w a n a , S w a z i la nd , L es o t h o a n d M o z a m b i q u e .
A.
All the n e c e s s a r y a r r a n g e m e n t s for the v o l u n t e e r to be r e c e i v e d
an d w or k in w ay s that se r ve the i n t e r e s t s at the c o m m u n i t y in
th e area will be made.
S T R U C T U R E OF THE
P RO G R A M M E
Th e p r o g r a m m e w ill be a d m i n i s t e r e d by a p l a c e m e n t team.
Th i s
g r o u p will be r e s p o n s i b l e for i n t e r v i e w i n g a n d c o u n s e l l i n g
n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e m e n who v o l u n t e e r .
P l a c e m e n t s will be m a d e in
c o n s u l t a t i o n w it h the v o l u n te er , the p l a c e m e n t te a m a n d m e m b e r s
of the p r o j e c t w h e r e an o p e n i n g is a v a i l a b l e .
S e n d i n g the f o l l o w i n g m e s s a i e
T h e M i n i s t e r of D e i o n c e
Box 4?
C a o e T o wn
3000
to
"I call on your g o v e r n m e n t to c h a n g e the law so that all n a t i o n a l
s e r v i c e m e n an d not just th os e wh o are u n i v e r s a l r e l i g i o u s
p a c i f i s t s a r e g i v e n the o p t i o n of do i n g c o n s t r u c t i v e a l t e r n a t i v e
national service.
This s e r v i c e s h o u l d be the s a m e l e n g t h as
m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e a n d be a v a i l a b l e in C hu rc h , W e l f a r e a n d C o m m u n i t y
organisations."
B.
T he v o l u n t e e r will be r e s p o n s i b l e to the C h u r c h or o r g a n i s a t i o n
c o n c e r n e d , w h i c h w ill d i r e c t his w o r k an d lay d ow n his c o n d i t i o n s
of e m p l o y m e n t a c c o r d i n g to th ei r n o r m a l p r a c t i c e .
Se n d
a donation
Volunteer
to
Support
the:
F und
A f t e r p l a c e m e n t the C h u r c h will be t o t a l l y r e s p o n s i b l e for the
v o l u n t e r e r and will c o n t i n u e to o f f e r h i m s u p p o r t in all w a y s
s p i r i t u a l , p e r s o na l and legal.
These
Wh o can
fu nds are
used
to a s s i s t
and
support
volunteers.
volunteer?
C.
A ny n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e m e n ( r e g a r d l e s s of hi s r e l i g i o u s
or m o r a l
b el i e f ) wh o wa nt s to d e m o n s t r a t e his c o m m i t t m e n t to the c all
for c o n s t r u c t i v e a l t e r n a t i v e s and a just peace.
V o l u n t e e r s can join the p r o g r a m m e e i t h e r b e f o r e , du r i n q , a f t e r
or w h e n c a l l e d up.
( V o l u n t e e r s will be p aid the s am e ra te s as th os e p a i d by
D e p a r t m e n t of M a n p o w e r to c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e
servicemen
Se n d us a p o s t c a r d t o g e t h e r w i th you n a m e and a d d r e s s
s t a t i n g y o ur s u p p o r t for the call for c o n s t r u c t i v e a l t e r n a t i v e
n a t i o n a l serv ic e .
Addresses
the
).
No te
This programme has not b een a c c e p t e d by the G o v e r n m e n t .
It m u s t be n ot ed t hatA P a r t i c i p a t i o n in the p r o g r a m m e d o e s not
a b s o l v e yo u from your m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e d u t i e s .
H o w e v e r wh a t
it do e s do is p r o v i d e a c o m m u n i t y in wh i c h you can d i s c u s s the
p r o b l e m s yo u face and how best to r e s o l v e them.
H ow do yo u
v o l u nt e er ?
1.
If you want to v o l u n t e e r for o n e p r o g r a m m e
a n d add
y o u r c o n t r i b u t i o n to the call for a l t e r n a t i v e c o n s t r u c t i v e
f or ms of n a ti o n a l s er v i c e p l e a s e w r i t e to the f o l l o w i n g
a d d r e s s g i v in g y our name, ag e an d a r e a of w or k yo u are
i n t e r e s t e d in.
2.
If yo u feel you wo ul d like to e x p l o r e the i s s u es m o r e an d
be i n v o lv ed in a d i s c u s s i o n w i t h o t h e r n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e m e n
o r if you w o u l d like to set up a d i s c u s s i o n g r o u p y o u r s e l f
p l e a s e c on t a c t
Ho w can
you
show y our s u p p o r t ?
If yo u feel that you p e r s o n a l l y c a n n o t v o l u n t e e r for the
p r o g r a m m e or if you are not e l i g i b l e for c a l l - u p but still
n a t i o n ^ l ° H r ° a U fOC a l t e r n a t i v e and c o n s t r u c t i v e
n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e you can s ho w y our s u p p o r t by:
forms
of
D.
G r o u p i n g s s h o u l d feel free to e x p l o r e o t h e r w a y s of s h o w i n g
t h e i r support or c o n t r i b u t i n g to the p r o g r a m m e .
T h e s e can
be c o m m u n i c a t e d to us ~
j c. the a d d r e s s above.
Collection Number: AG1977
END CONSCRIPTION CAMPAIGN (ECC)
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