Court Opinion

ID: 9444322
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-03 20:56:24.005058+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:29:48.862974
License: Public Domain

SCHNACKENBERG, Circuit Judge
(concurring).
It is clear that this record contains a basis in fact to support the selective service boards’ denial of defendant’s claim to *447exemption as a minister. Such controlling facts as were held to entitle the defendant to such an exemption in Dickinson v. United States, 346 U.S. 389, 74 S.Ct. 152, are lacking in the instant case.
As to defendant’s claim to exemption as a conscientious objector, we have pointed out that probing a man’s conscience is, at best, a speculative venture. Affiliation with a particular religious sect does not per se entitle a registrant to conscientious objector status. The duty imposed on the boards is to determine subjectively and objectively the sincerity of the individual’s belief, not the nature of the teachings of any religious faith. Each case must stand or fall on its own facts. United States v. Simmons, 4 Cir., 213 F.2d 901.
It is true that in the case at bar defendant’s claim to deferment as a conscientious objector rests on his uncorroborated testimony, while in United States v. Close, 7 Cir., 215 F.2d 439, a similar claim was supported by affidavits of various persons, as well as the registrant’s testimony. However, if credible and sincere, a registrant’s uncontradicted testimony, although uncorroborated, may not be disregarded. The service boards in Indiana, through his personal appearance before them, had an opportunity to observe his demeanor, which is not reproduced in the record. They evidently believed him, as shown by their classifying him I-O. On the other hand, the national appeal board had no such opportunity for personal observation. It had no basis in fact upon which to hold that he was not a conscientious objector and therefore it had no authority to reclassify him in I-A. Such a conclusion is supported by Taffs v. United States, 8 Cir., 208 F.2d 329 certiorari denied 347 U.S. 928, 74 S.Ct. 532, and United States v. Hagaman, 3 Cir., 213 F.2d 86 (C.C.A. 3rd, May 13, 1954, time for certiorari not expired).
I therefore concur in the majority opinion in reversing the judgment of the court below.