Today, Wednesday 15 May 2019 is International Conscientious Objectors Day, a day to remember those people who said “NO” to being part of the military machine of war. You can read about some of them at https://www.menwhosaidno.org/ but this is the tip of the iceberg, there are men, women and even children around the world who say no to the violence of war and suffer the consequences. Here in Britain that may involve ridicule, persecution and even prison but in some countries it could involve torture and death.
Let us spend some time today remembering those who, for whatever reason, refused to take up arms against others and suffered as a result. May we gain strength from their witness that we might work for love, respect and well-being for all.