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Objecting <strong>to</strong> paying for warCanadian war resisters may not currently face the militarydraft, but most are faced with taxes. Some have chosen <strong>to</strong> withholdthe portion of their income tax allotted <strong>to</strong> military spending—about 9 percent of <strong>to</strong>tal federal spending. This is a very relevantway that we as Canadians can be involved in this issue.“As a follower of Jesus, I try <strong>to</strong> live by His commandment <strong>to</strong> ‘LoveOur Enemies.’ ... I find it highly inconsistent <strong>to</strong> pray for peace andpay for war. I would gladly pay for actions and activities that lead<strong>to</strong> peace and encourage the government <strong>to</strong> provide an alternativefor conscientious objec<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> war.” —Benno Barg“...I strongly protest use of any portion of it [my taxes] for militarypurposes. Such use, in effect, conscripts my funds. During the 1939- 1945 war I was granted status as a conscientious objec<strong>to</strong>r andallowed <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> China <strong>to</strong> engage in relief work. In years past Iwithheld the military portion of tax and deposited it withConscience <strong>Canada</strong> in the confidence that the government wouldrespect my right not <strong>to</strong> participate in military operations in thisway. Since no provision has yet been made and the withheld portionwas collected with interest, I am simply withholding ten dollars(a <strong>to</strong>ken amount) <strong>to</strong> make you aware that I still object <strong>to</strong> suppor<strong>to</strong>f the military on grounds of conscience.”—Edwin V. AbbottFor more information, including direction on how <strong>to</strong> write <strong>to</strong> yourMember of Parliament see www.consciencecanada.caIn July 2006, a new resolution was passed at the <strong>Mennonite</strong>Church <strong>Canada</strong>’s Assembly in Edmon<strong>to</strong>n. The resolution statedthat as <strong>Canada</strong>’s military was moving from away from peacekeeping<strong>to</strong>wards direct military interventions, as military spending wasincreasing significantly and as this is paid for by Canadian taxpayers,the General Board should communicate with the federalgovernment <strong>to</strong> advocate for a way <strong>to</strong> redirect the military portionof taxes <strong>to</strong> peaceful purposes.Poppies andpeace but<strong>to</strong>nsI did not put on my MCC“To Remember is <strong>to</strong> Workfor Peace” but<strong>to</strong>n lastNovember as I usually do instead ofthe Remembrance Day poppy. Why? Ifeared others would misunderstand myreplacing the poppy as a rejection ofthe sacrifice of the soldiers. It could bea barrier rather than an invitation <strong>to</strong>communication. Of course I still rejectviolence and war as means of resolvingconflict or of s<strong>to</strong>pping a raging dicta<strong>to</strong>r.I fervently disagree that war was “theonly way,” or “necessary for our freedom,”and also with Christian just-warconstructs. At the same time I don’twant <strong>to</strong> minimize the sacrifice of thesoldiers nor the pain of their permanentabsence. I don’t want <strong>to</strong> reject the genuineintentions of society <strong>to</strong> honourthose who ostensibly gave their lives forothers.I realize that not all who wear thepoppy are warmongers. Wearing it hasdifferent meanings, some of which Ihave little problem with. For example,for over 80 years, The Royal CanadianLegion has been selling the paperflowers <strong>to</strong> help needy ex-servicemenand their families. Providing for folksin need, it seems <strong>to</strong> me, is a worthyproject.I have come <strong>to</strong> see that most of usshare the same goals—a peace-filledlife, society, and world. Dialoguingabout how <strong>to</strong> move <strong>to</strong>ward that, ismore useful than sloganizing or trying<strong>to</strong> shout louder than the other side.This year I may wear both the but<strong>to</strong>nand the poppy.—Tim Schmucker, MCC OntarioS<strong>to</strong>ries and reflections16