COMDTINST 1900.8 30 NOV 1990
6.
c.
(2)
(b)
Relevant factors to be considered in determining a member's claim of
conscientious objection include: training in the home and church; general
demeanor and pattern of conduct; participation in religious activities;
whether ethical or moral convictions were gained in dedication to the
processes by which traditional religious convictions are formulated;
credibility of the member; and credibility of persons supporting the
claim.
(c)
Particular care must be exercised not to deny the existence of the
member's bona fide beliefs simply because those beliefs are incompatible
with your own.
1.
Church membership or adherence to particular theological
doctrine is not required to warrant separation or assignment to
noncombatant service for conscientious objectors.
2.
Mere affiliation with a church or other group which advocates
conscientious objection as a doctrine in its creed is not necessarily
determinative of a member's position or belief.
3.
Conversely, affiliation with a church or group which does not
teach conscientious objection does not necessarily rule out
adherence to conscientious objection beliefs in any given case.
4.
Where a member belongs or has belonged to a church, religious
organization, or religious sect, and where the claim of
conscientious objection is related to such membership, inquiry
may properly be made as to the fact of membership, and the
teaching of the church, religious organization, or religious sect, as
well as the member's religious activity. However, the fact that the
member may disagree with, or not subscribe to, some of the
doctrines of the member's church does not necessarily discredit
the claim. The personal convictions of each individual will be
controlling so long as they derive from the member's moral,
ethical or religious beliefs.
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