The National Registry for Conscientious Objection
Founded in 1991
The National Registry for Conscientious Objection was created following the war in the Persian
Gulf in early 1991. The National Registry provides men and women of all ages with an opportunity to
register their objection to personal, national, and international violence. As a concept, conscientious
objection was co-opted by the military who gave itself the power to grant or withhold official status as
a CO.
The National Registry reclaims the notion of conscientious objection, and returns it to its
original meaning as a way of life (rather than a military or governmental designation). Conscientious
Objection is not the property of the military, to be handed out or withheld according to the judgement
of draft boards or commissioned officers of the armed services. Objection to violence and courage of
conscience are characteristics of a life committed to peace.
The National Registry is a national campaign to promote peacemaking as a practical ideal: a
way of living in the present that represents our best hope for the future. It seeks to inspire peace and
justice in society by inviting peacemakers everywhere to register their conscientious objection to
violence, and in so doing, to share with others their commitment to a peaceful world. The intent of
The National Registry for Conscientious Objection is to emphasize one's absolute dedication to
peaceful living and to peaceful resolution of conflict. It is only by committing ourselves to peaceful
living that peace will in fact prevail, in our lives and on the planet.
The National Registry Books
The books are now available for colleges, community and faith organizations. The cost to purchase a National Registry Book and printed pages is $250. Please contact The Peace Abbey at 508-655-2143 to make arrangements or for more information. The books designated for a religious organization can be kept for a period of time until passed on to another community representing that faith. In this way the books will be circulated throughout the country.
Religious Organizations
1. Unitarian Universalist Community
2. Synagogue of Somerville, MA.
3. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
4. Pax Christi (National Catholic Peace Organization)
Colleges
1. Hampshire College
2. Wellesley College
3. Brandeis University
4. Tufts University
5. Penn State University
6. University of Maine
Affirmation Statement
I hereby affirm that:because of my deeply held beliefs about peace,justice,and nonviolence,
I am opposed to the use of violence to settle disputes. Furthermore,I wish to make public my
decision not to participate in any group, organization,or agency of government that would require
from me acts of violence against a fellow human being. I sign The National Registry for Conscientious Objection to have my position on peace, justice, and nonviolence duly recorded as a way of life that I embrace and am totally committed to.
IMPORTANT: This statement should be read silently first and then aloud in the presence of two or more
witnesses who will then sign along with the registrant.
Documentation File for Conscientious Objectors
A specially created organizing kit to assist
in the preparation of CO documentation.
This specially created, up-to-date, organizing kit has relevant
anti-war, pacifist and peace and justice periodicals, brochures
and leaflets to assist in the preparation of CO documentation. The
CO File includes a checklist and guidelines for the development
of the CO thesis as well as a resource guide that lists national
organizations that assist and promote conscientious objection to
military service.
$5 - Handout materials only. $1.50 handling
and postage.
$25 - Folder, handout materials and books.
$2.50 handling and postage.
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