to download PDF - Mennonite Central Committee Canada

pious answers, and sitting back to wait for apaying job. Unfortunately sincerity of belief wasnot a crucial factor.In April 1968 the U.S. government finally called meto take up arms. I refused induction into the army.This included a small demonstration at the federalbuilding there, and refusing to board the bus takinginductees for formal swearing-in ceremonies.During the fall of 1968 old student friends fromGoshen College, in particular Sue Clemmer, thewoman who later became my wife, persuaded methat Canada was an honourable alternative toprison. A growing relationship with Sue movedhope in a new direction when it otherwise was inshort supply.About one week before Christmas in 1975 the U.S.government dropped its charges against me afterthe American Civil Liberties Union filed a legalbrief on my behalf. The government did thisbecause they had violated my rights in at least threeways during the draft process. In the early 1970s Icompleted my university education. I was engagedby Grebel professors like Walter Klaassen andFrank Epp whose “peace with justice” positionswere unashamedly linked to their, and my,Mennonite heritage. For me this was important as Islowly found my way back to Christian faithwithin a Mennonite context.Reflecting on my experience, it appears to me thatfor several reasons Mennonites and other Canadianpeace people have become too relaxed about theirviews of peace, justice and war. One was ourresponse to the first Gulf War in the early 1990s. Iwas appalled to see Canada fall so quickly into linewith U.S. foreign policy in supporting one dictatorialgovernment (with oil) against another (withoil). This year Mennonite voting patterns in theU.S. reflect overwhelming support for a presidentialdoctrine of pre-emptive war that violates internationallaw at multiple levels.We continue to forget the lessons Vietnam taughtus about how governments create “truth” that suittheir own purposes. Have either Gulf Wars beenany more about justice than Vietnam was?Mennonites have not spoken with unity on thesewars except to keep their own hands clean. I watchand worry about this Mennonite response.44