Document: 348 U.S. 385 75 S.Ct. 403 99 L.Ed. 436 Anthony Tony SICURELLA, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 250. Argued Feb. 1, 1955. Decided March 14, Mr.Hayden C. Covington, Brooklyn, N.Y., for petitioner. Mr. John F. Davis, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner was born in 1927 and brought up as a Jehovah's Witness by his parents, both whom were that faith. He has been identified with sect since he 6 years old, 'was immersed became consecrated servant Jehovah' at 15, ordained when 17 old. registered local Board 1948, and, although worked 44 hours week Railway Express Company, first classified minister. In 1950, however, petitioner reclassified general service shortly thereafter, filed conscientious objector claim. 2 special form, included this statement: 3 'The nature my claim is that: I am already Army Christ Jesus serving soldier appointed Commander Christ. (2 Tim. 2:3 & 4). Inasmuch war weapons are not carnal, authorized to engage carnal warfare world. Corinthians 10:3 4, Ephesians 6:11—18) Furthermore being enlisted army Christ, cannot desert forces Jehovah assume obligations any world without guilty desertion suffering punishment meted out deserters Almighty God. * *' 4 answer question, 'Under what circumstances, if any, do you believe use force,' wrote: 5 'Only interests defending Kingdom Interests, our preaching work, meetings, fellow brethren sisters property against attack. (as well all Witnesses) defend those they attacked forced protect such scripturally so. Because doing so we arm ourselves or carry anticipation preparation trouble meet threats. try ward off blows attacks only defense. defense myself interests. retreat home meeting places, but will on public other shake dust feet; giving holy dogs throwing pearls before swine. (Matthew 10:14 7:6) So can avoid fight trouble. Also following admonition Acts 24:16; which states 'In respect, indeed, exercising continually have consciousness committing no offense God man." Upon denial Board, appealed file referred Department Justice. It appears report Federal Bureau Investigation contained nothing unfavorable petitioner's claim, hearing officer concluded should be objector. advising Justice, wrote convinced (petitioner) sincere objections military reason religious training beliefs.' The admitting investigation favorable petitioner, recommended Appeal denied ground 7 'While registrant may beliefs expressed, has, failed establish opposed form. As indicated statements SSS Form 150, under some namely ministry, brethren. is, therefore, entitled exemption within meaning Act.' 8 retained I-A classification, duly ordered report, refused submit induction. This prosecution followed Seventh Circuit affirmed conviction. 213 F.2d 911. We granted certiorari 812, 59. 9 case, unlike Witmer, 375, 392, it admitted sincere; therefore relieved task searching record basis fact support finding insincerity. question presented case one law—do says holds amount opposition 'participation form' demanded Congress prerequisite deferment? Stated light background, issue whether Universal Military Training Service Act, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, § 451 et seq., who admittedly participation war, believes force 'his 'Kingdom Interests,' brethren,' 6(j) Act from armed forces. Government insists reveal qualified varied objection war—and 'petitioner's willingness interests, particularly words considered teachings sect, clearly 10 does contend belief self-defense, home, family associates, inconsistent serve claim.* here narrows sufficiently justify conclusion fell short Throughout selective emphasized spiritual, carnal. asserted 'the carnal.' With reference 'we *. *.' letters reiterated these beliefs. On their face, make clear Interests' neither bark nor bite unfortunately know today. difficult us had mind type activity said thrust must go form.' 11 But urges taken Witnesses. While each necessity based particular individual registrant, true Congress, relating registrant's belief, made relevant. Moreover, parenthetically say 'as (the of) Witnesses.' hand, though appended its brief copy Watchtower magazine February 1951, find literature record. consider material outside an decision, cf. Cox v. United States, 1947, 332 442, 453—455, 68 115, 120—121, 92 59, need decide because event there substance Government's contention. Granting articles picture Witnesses antipacifists, extolling ancient wars Israelites ready 'theocratic war' commands them, granting Armageddon, feel enough. test opposed, grounds, war. theocratic orders tempered that, far know, history records command Biblical times theology appear contemplate future. And able stretch imagination point believing yardstick includes measure spiritual between powers good evil where Witnesses, participate, weapons. 12 real shooting form—actual conflicts nations earth time—wars bombs bullets, tanks, planes rockets. reasoning denying removed possible congressional intent erroneous matter law. 13 Court Appeals also rested decision facet government authority. believe, requisite exists, makes difference claims, exemptions covered Act. Once comes 6(j), forfeit coverage extend beyond Congress. 14 contends, apparently time, objects form,' does, feeling wrong participate require time feels devoted activities. memorandum indicating lack certiorari, gave hint unnecessary here. bases recommendation 'fight error law Department, might naturally look guidance questions, vitiate entire proceedings least relied legitimate ground. Here, impossible determine exactly grounds decided, integrity Selective System demands, least, recommend illegal grounds. There impressive body lower court cases taking position state correct rule. Cf. States ex rel. Levy Cain, Cir., 1945, 149 338, 342; Balogh, 1946, 157 939, 943—944, judgment vacated 329 692, 67 625, 91 605; Everngam, D.C.S.D.W.Va.1951, 102 F.Supp. 128. 15 below reversed. 16 Reversed. REED, dissenting. 18 important State strength few people eligible excused combat noncombatant duties objectors. American citizens many scruples while continue assigned tasks exposure danger greater than civilians. 19 Many, moral conviction, certain declared Nation. statute, 'conscientiously assumes Sicurella's conscience permits him wars, approved Jehovah, blood flesh Israelites. Sicurella testified would Interests.' Those seem me include wars. Under assumption statements, statutory exemption. His claimed service. 20 MINTON, 21 findings classification final. U.S.C.App. (1952 ed.) 460(b)(3), 460(b)(3). sit review. province substitute facts Board's errors unless wanton, arbitrary capricious destroy jurisdiction Board. 22 Estep 327 114, pages 122—123, 66 423, page 427, 90 567: 23 provision making decisions boards 'final' means chose give administrative action customary scope judicial review obtains statutes. courts weigh evidence justified. conformity regulations final even erroneous. board reached registrant.' (Emphasis added.) arbitrarily capriciously. always jurisdiction. Was acting wanton disregard legal boundaries? If not, honest mistake judgment, intervene. 24 instant acted capriciously allowable reasonable men. advice 25 brethren', proceedings. 26 noted whose purely advisory binding upon 456(j), 456(j). concludes committed recommending brethren.' establishes attitude faithful Witness. fighting secular involved. provides: 27 'Nothing title (sections 451—454 455 471 Appendix) shall construed person subject combatant who, conscientiously 28 That test. contrary, reserves right choose fight. inducted kind limited service, otherwise. 29 Court's gives impression force. own statement contradicts position. filled submitted contains answer: 30 '5. force? 31 threats.' shows whatever sisters, property. They say, attack, them supports District guilt; one. 32 think very believed did laid down By accepting Department's recommendation, mistaken, mistake. slightest intimation conduct part 33 latter jurisdiction, accepted made, affirm. Taffs, 347 928, 74 532, 98 1081, much petition. Its admission category 'brethren' used Taffs.

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