The History of Conscientious Objectors

A conscientious objector (often shortened to conchie), is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, or religion.

Many conscientious objectors have been executed, imprisoned, or otherwise penalized when their beliefs led to actions conflicting with their society's legal system or government.

Formal legislation to exempt objectors from fighting was first granted in mid-18th-century Great Britain following problems with attempting to force Quakers into military service. In 1757, when the first attempt was made to establish a British Militia as a professional national military reserve, a clause in the Militia Ballot Act allowed Quakers exemption from military service.

In the United States, conscientious objection was permitted from the country's founding, although regulation was left to individual states prior to the introduction of conscription

Refusing to serve in the Vietnam War, boxer Muhammad Ali stated "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong" in 1966.

A number of organizations around the world celebrate the principle on May 15 as International Conscientious Objection Day.