Collin Minert: Conscientious Objection: Acting on Beliefs and Values...in the Vietnam Era

Just
why and how does a quiet, fairly traditional, not particularly high achieving,
non-trouble-causing, rule- and behavior-conforming fellow decide to step
outside the box and to take an action which is way outside his comfort zone.
Collin will share his journey into the world of self-discovery and examination
of his beliefs – all resulting from his decision to seek legal status as a
conscientious objector. Frankly, I had more questions than answers. On what
basis could I, as one without a traditional religious background, expect his
views to be validated? Did my beliefs flow from God or some other ultimate
truth? Exactly how did my experiences shape what I came to believe? Was it ever
justifiable to take another life? What about in self-defense? What about
serving in a “good” war — like World War II? Bottom line, was this quest a self-serving
whim, was it simply a way to avoid a particular war, or was it something deeply
rooted in a personal code or belief? What were the pros and cons of commencing
this process and of staying the course? If denied, was I willing to face the
consequences of the course of action likely to follow – leaving the country or
going to prison?

Montclair
resident Collin Minert, who grew up in Milwaukee, WI, graduated from the
University of Wisconsin, majoring in political science and landscape
architecture. Subsequently, he received a master’s degree in city and regional
planning from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. During one college summer he worked
for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in its Freedom Summer
Project in Arkansas. In 1968, he began his alternative to military service as a
caseworker for the NYC Department of Social Services. Subsequently, he worked
for government in city planning, and eventually spent over twenty five years as
a consultant helping for not-for-profit organizations generate charitable
financial resources.

The
Ethical Culture Society of Essex County is a progressive non-theist religion
dedicated to living ethically in a complex world. Founded in l876 and
established in Maplewood in l945, over the years the ethical culture movement
(known as The American Ethical Union) has been instrumental in launching
Planned Parenthood, the NAACP, Visiting Nurses, New York Settlement House,
Fieldston School, and National Ethical Service at the UN. The Society began a
long-running Ethics for Children program and most recently, Essex Time Exchange
(a time bank facilitating the exchange of services) among other initiatives.
The Maplewood Society was the first peace site in the country. Its motto is: to
act so as to bring out the best in ourselves by bringing out the best in
others.  

Contact
information: 973-763-1905; www.essexethical.org. Join us for weekly programs,
discussions, and fellowship Sundays at 11 am. All are welcome.