conscientious objection
noun
: objection on moral or religious grounds (as to service in the armed forces or to bearing arms)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Indeed, the defiance by legions of Catholic women of Pope Paul VI’s condemnation of birth control can itself be a model of conscientious objection. 
James Carroll, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2022 In 1967, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali met with a group of the top black athletes in the country, who questioned him about his conscientious objection to serving in the Vietnam War. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 5 Jan. 2022 In 1967, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali met with a group of the top black athletes in the country, who questioned him about his conscientious objection to serving in the Vietnam War. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 5 Jan. 2022 As a result, many who claimed conscientious objection fled to Canada or other nations willing to accept them. Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 25 Sep. 2021 All four universities allow for exemptions for medical reasons or a person's conscientious objection to the vaccine. Michael Osterholm And J. Michael Oakes, Star Tribune, 22 June 2021 Iran makes military service compulsory for men; conscientious objection isn't allowed. Bob Ortega, CNN, 12 Apr. 2021 Doctors and health professionals can claim conscientious objection to performing abortions, but cannot invoke the right if a pregnant woman’s life or health is in danger. Almudena Calatrava, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Jan. 2021 The immunization requirement originally exempted people with medical reasons, people who submitted a conscientious objection to immunization, and members of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Naomi Xu Elegant, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2020 See More
James Carroll, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2022 In 1967, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali met with a group of the top black athletes in the country, who questioned him about his conscientious objection to serving in the Vietnam War. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 5 Jan. 2022 In 1967, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali met with a group of the top black athletes in the country, who questioned him about his conscientious objection to serving in the Vietnam War. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 5 Jan. 2022 As a result, many who claimed conscientious objection fled to Canada or other nations willing to accept them. Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 25 Sep. 2021 All four universities allow for exemptions for medical reasons or a person's conscientious objection to the vaccine. Michael Osterholm And J. Michael Oakes, Star Tribune, 22 June 2021 Iran makes military service compulsory for men; conscientious objection isn't allowed. Bob Ortega, CNN, 12 Apr. 2021 Doctors and health professionals can claim conscientious objection to performing abortions, but cannot invoke the right if a pregnant woman’s life or health is in danger. Almudena Calatrava, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Jan. 2021 The immunization requirement originally exempted people with medical reasons, people who submitted a conscientious objection to immunization, and members of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Naomi Xu Elegant, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1775, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
conscientious objection
noun
con·scien·tious objection
ˌkän-chē-ˈen-chəs-
: objection on moral or religious grounds (as to military service or bearing arms)