Document: 403 U.S. 698 91 S.Ct. 2068 29 L.Ed.2d 810 Cassius Marsellus CLAY, Jr. also known as Muhammad Ali, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 783. Argued April 19, 1971. Decided June 28, Chauncey Eskridge, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Solicitor Gen. Erwin N. Griswold respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 The petitioner was convicted willful refusal to submit induction into the Armed Forces. 62 Stat. 622, amended, 50 U.S.C.App. § 462(a). (1964 ed., Supp. V). judgment of conviction affirmed by Court Appeals Fifth Circuit.1 We granted certiorari, 400 990, 457, 27 438 consider whether notice invalid because grounded upon an erroneous denial petitioner's claim be classified a conscientious objector. 2 * application classification objector turned down his local draft board, and he took administrative appeal. State Appeal Board tentatively him I—A (eligible unrestricted military service) referred file Department Justice advisory recommendation, in accordance with then-applicable procedures. U.S.C.A.App. 456(j) FBI then conducted 'inquiry' required statute, interviewing some 35 persons, including members family many friends, neighbors, business religious associates. 3 There followed hearing on 'the character good faith (petitioner's objections' before officer appointed Department. officer, retired judge years' experience,2 heard testimony from mother father, one attorneys, minister religion, himself. He had benefit full report FBI. On basis this record concluded that registrant sincere objection grounds participation war any form, recommended sustained.3 4 Notwithstanding wrote letter Board, advising it should denied. Upon receipt advice, denied without statement reasons. After various further proceedings which is not necessary recount here, ordered induction. refused take traditional step forward, prosecution followed. II 5 In order qualify objector, must satisfy three basic tests. show conscientiously opposed form. Gillette v. United States, 401 437, 828, 28 168. opposition based training belief, term has been construed our decisions. States Seeger, 380 163, 85 850, 13 733; Welsh 398 333, 90 1792, 26 308. And sincere. Witmer 348 375, 75 392, 99 L.Ed. 428. applying these tests, Selective Service System concerned individual, its own interpretation dogma sect, if any, may belong. supra; Williams Cir., 216 F.2d 350, 352. 6 asking us affirm conviction, Government argues there 'basis fact,' cf. Estep 327 114, 66 423, 567, holding 'war form,' but only selectively certain wars. See supra. Counsel petitioner, needless say, takes opposite position. issue need resolved case. For we have even Government's position question correct, still set aside another quite independent reason. III 7 criminal stemmed System's appeal seeking status. That denial, no reasons were ever given, was, said, recommendation Justice, overruling 'finds registrant's conscientious-objector sustained recommends your (so) classified.' This finding contained long explanation, evident officials led believe found failed each tests qualification 8 As requirement said expressed beliefs 'do appear preclude service rather are limited Forces States. These constitute objections types circumstances, than general scruple against However, form can support exemption under Act. Kauten, 133 703.' 9 said: 'It seems clear teachings Nation Islam fighting political racial policies interpreted Elijah Muhammad. It therefore conclusion claimed insofar they Islam, rest primarily racial.' 10 sincere, part began stating consistently manifested claim. Such course overt manifestations requisite establishing subjective state mind belief.' several paragraphs reciting timing circumstances claim, concluding paragraph seeming rule law—that 'a shown sufficient establish belief where, asserted until became imminent. Campbell 221 454. Corliss, 280 808, cert. denied, 364 884, 81 167, 105.' 11 now fully conceded 'religious belief,' defined supra: 'There dispute professed founded tenets Muslim understood them, derived substantial devotion Allah Supreme Being. Thus, Court's decision 733, unquestionably within belief' clause provision.'4 concession clearly correct. shows religion understands them. They surely less religiously those registrants Seeger. 12 made longer questions sincerity beliefs.5 officer—the person at level who carefully examined other witnesses file—found 'that objection.' wrong terms purported law disregard simply Ehlert 402 99, 103—104, 1319, 1322—1323, 625; ex rel. Lehman Laird, 430 96, 99; Abbott, 425 910, 915; Tobias 413 936, 939—940; Cohen D.C., 315 F.Supp. 1265, 1277—1278. Since gave absolutely way knowing offered Department's relied. Yet acknowledges two valid. And, aside, indisputably clear, stated, matter sincerely held. 14 case, therefore, falls squarely four coners Sicurella 385, 403, 436. here asked hold error advice prepared did require reversal ground might properly classification. proffered alternative ground: 15 '(W)e feel Department, naturally look guidance such questions, vitiate entire least where relied legitimate ground. Here, impossible determine exactly decided, integrity demands, least, recommend illegal grounds. impressive body lower court cases taking correct rule.' Di., S.Ct., 406. 16 doctrine thus articulated years ago hardly new. established essential administration justice. Stromberg California, 283 359, 51 532, 1117. reversed violation California statute containing separate clauses, clauses constitutionally invalid. Chief Hughes put matter, '(I)t say obtained.' 'if Federal Constitution, cannot upheld.' Id., 368, 535. 17 area goes back 1945, Judge Learned Hand's opinion Second Circuit Levy Cain, 149 338. repeatedly federal courts dealing sanctions selective laws. See, e.g., Lemmens, 619, 623—624 (CA7 1970); Broyles, 423 1299, 1303—1304 (CA4 Haughton, 736 (CA9 1969); Jakobson, 325 409, 416—417 (CA2 1963), aff'd sub nom. Kretchet 284 561, 565—566 1960); Ypparila 219 465, 469 (CA10 1954); Englander, 271 182 (SDNY 1967); Erikson, 576, 578—579 1957). every above defendant acquitted or doctrine. 18 embodied settled precedents requires reversed. so 19 Judgment 20 Mr. MARSHALL consideration 21 DOUGLAS, concurring. 22 I would reverse free. 23 436,1 wars applicant fight 'carnal' 'in defense Kingdom interest.' 389, 405. decision, sustaining conviction. difficult Congress type activity when thrust go 'participation form.' 390, 24 present case line between 'spiritual' symbolic Those know history Mediterranean littoral jihad Moslem bloody war. 25 very close essentials Negre Larsen, decided March 8, church belonged favored 'just' provided guidelines define oppose Vietnam comply participating conflict violate conscience. grant relief constitutional Clay somewhat different, though analogous. While bits evidence showing conflict, religion. testified 'sincere bit what Holy Qur'an Honorable tell participate side nobody who—on non believers, Christian country country, theGovernment facts more toward distort ridicule condemn admitted police Los Angeles about attacking killing brothers sisters Newark, New Jersey, Louisiana, outright, day oppressors enemies people whole, whites nation. So, not, according Qur'an, much aid passing cup water the—even wounded. mean, earlier, me talking get board—or dodge nothing. borned will I'm dead it, all it.' At point testified: (T)he do teach of—in unless declared himself, it's Islamic World War, far—the still, saying infidels nonbelievers handing them during battle.' 'So, born, follow part.' Koran defines injunction believers non-believers:2 30 'O ye believe! Shall guide you gainful trade save painful punishment? Believe His Apostle carry warfare (jihad) path possessions persons. better you. If knowledge, forgive sins, place Gardens beneath streams flow, fine houses Eden: great gain.' M. Khadduri, War Peace Law 55—56 (1955). 31 Sale edition Koran, first appeared England 1734, gives following translation 410—411 (9th ed. 1923): 32 'Thus God propoundeth unto men their examples. When encounter unbelievers, strike off heads, slaughter among them; bind bonds; either give free dismission afterwards, exact ransom; shall laid arms. do. Verily pleased could vengeance assistance; commandeth battles, prove other. defence God's true suffer works perish: dispose heart aright; lead paradise, hath told O assist God, enemies; feet fast. *' 33 exclusive jihad; action believer's heart, tongue, hands, well sword. 56. respects aspects written: 34 'The jihad, words, sanction polytheism suffered non-Muslims reject or, dhimmis (Scripturaries), refuse pay poll tax. litigation polytheism; punishment inflicted Islam's renegades faith. Thus Western Christendom, bellum justum.' 59. Moslem's counterpart West.3 Neither nor subject renounce 'truth' teaching respective indeed exist just Catholic duty participate. 36 What Clay's adds up believes sanctioned nonbelievers. All unjust. 37 conscience, principle. Both 'by reason proscribed religions. conscience protected First Amendment power dilute 6(j) Military Act 1967, V) restricted 'conscientiously stated 463 470, 843 846, 168, construction puts class honored Amendment, schooled different conception find irrational. 38 below. 39 HARLAN, concurring result. 40 concur result susceptible reading proof insufficient timely asserted. read. acted letter, 436 original affirmance, 397 901, wholly unrelated issues us, Giordano 394 310, 89 1163, 297. remand, again 165. Lawrence Grauman, served Kentucky circuit years. Applicable regulations, CFR 1626.25 (1967 ed.), officer's transmitted declined disclose statements text taken description recommending Brief 12. 'We seek insincerity *.' 33. analysis 436, 1117, little said. is, course, accurate form' explained law. But my view ruling unconstitutional. Hence possible status, none 61:10—13. 'War, then, integral legal system; recognized peak religion,' commonwealth expanding, relentlessly, like caravan continuously move, becomes coterminous humanity, time transposed universal peace.' A. Bozeman, Future Multicultural 81—82 (1971). last attempt use significant force 1914 Ottoman sultan; fallen disuse. Toynbee, Survey International Affairs, 1925, p. 43 et seq. (1927); Encyclopaedia Social Sciences 401—403 (1932).

Category: 2