Conscience does not spring forth fully formed, it grows as we pay attention to it. As another approach to explore your conscience, read the Sample Draft Board Questions below and reflect on your answers. Be cautious to use this to better describe your sincere beliefs, rather than arguing or trying to convince others you’re right. 

Selective service draft registration is automatic in 46 U.S. states and territories. The U.S. Congress authorized automatic registration nationwide starting December 18, 2026. Selective Service Administration, however, withdrew this request on July 23, 2026, and implementation was suspended. Whatever the whims of the U.S. government, there is clearly political interest in increasing surveillance of young citizens and preparing for a draft — for citizens assigned male at birth and potentially assigned female at birth as well. Draft registration also affects asylum seekers, refugees, undocumented immigrants and green card holders as well as transgender and non-binary people. Watch the video and download the slides below to learn about the implications of automatic draft registration in the United States. Additionally, explore steps that you can take to defend the freedom of conscience and religion.

• Open and Directly to the Point: On what religious, moral, and/or ethical beliefs are you claiming conscientious objection? What led you to your objection? In what ways do you practice your beliefs? Can you describe or document any of these with examples? What does your faith community say about war or “Just War” theories and how do you justify any differences you may have with them?
• Hypothetical or What Ifs…: If someone held a gun to your mother’s or other loved one’s head what would you do? If someone violently attacked you or a nearby stranger what would you do? Would you use violence to protect yourself or a stranger? Can’t violence stop further violence at times and be the lesser of two evils? During World War II would you avoid violence and let the Nazis kill more Jews? What about Russia’s Ukrainian invasion killing thousands of innocent people? Rwanda, Darfur, Somalia, Sudan, Gaza, or Iran?
• Leading, Framed, or Biased: If the U.S. were attacked would you come to its defense? How do we defend against or resist evil from other nations or terrorists without using a more powerful armed force? Will you just want others to take all the risk? What gives you the right to claim this exemption when soldiers before you have died to protect your freedoms and safety? Where is your sense of patriotic duty and obligation to America? What if everyone claimed a CO re-classification? How do pacifists defend our country against enemies? By not fighting, aren’t you just helping terrorists and tyrants? Would you eliminate the police too? How do we protect ourselves?
• Baits, Traps, and Tricks: Do you play or watch violent sports, video games, or movies, own a gun, hunt, or eat meat, support abortion, or the death penalty, or associate with radical groups? Are you simply a coward afraid to die for your country? If we give you an exemption do you realize that means the next person in line must serve instead of you? Would you serve as a medic? What if we offered you a desk job and kept you out of combat? Are you willing to go to jail because of your beliefs?

New York Yearly Meeting Declaration of Conscience About Paying for War

We affirm: “The Living Spirit works in the world to give life, joy, peace, and prosperity through love, integrity, and compassionate justice among people. We are united in this Power. We acknowledge that paying for war violates our religious conviction. We will seek ways to witness to this religious conviction in each of our communities” —New York Yearly Meeting (2006).

1. Reflect on a few ideas. Conscience is an inward knowledge of right and wrong with a drive to do what is right. Conscience does not spring forth fully formed, it grows as you pay attention to it. Even in its smallest and stillest forms, conscience is extremely powerful.
2. Sit quietly and listen to your conscience. Stop and listen inwardly. What does that inner voice say? What truth is working within you? Listen. Take notes or write in your journal.
3. In pairs or small groups, take 3-5 minutes per person to speak to each of these questions in turn:
   • What do I believe? What is my conscience telling me? What truth is working within me?
   • Who or what has influenced my conscience? And with whom do I share my conscience?
   • How does my conscience express itself in my daily life? How do I live out my beliefs?
     Take notes or write in your journals between each question.
4. Write a personal statement of conscience. Be detailed, specific, honest, and biographical. No need to convince or persuade, just be sincere. Do not attack or put down others, just put into words what is true for you: 1) what you believe; 2) what influenced your beliefs; and 3) how you live out your beliefs.
5. If participating in or paying for war violates your conscience, consider joining us in signing the Declaration of Conscience about Paying for War.
6. Organize a mock Draft Board Review Hearing. Ask people who have had a Review Board Hearing themselves or anyone (2-5 people) can volunteer to ask questions. Board members should feel free to follow up with sincere probes to try to really understand. COs should sit before the panel, practice your grounding and centering techniques, and respond to questions sincerely, clearly, and briefly yet thoroughly. Even responding two or three of these questions helps. It’s one thing to have beliefs and thoughts, it’s very different to express those beliefs in writing and in oral responses. Note on tricks and traps: a conscientious objector to war does not abdicate one’s right to self-defense even though nonviolence is always stronger than violence and offers a future, while violence destroys and offers no future, we reserve the right to protect ourselves while we persistly seek nonviolent options.