The CPS Story: An Illustrated History of Civilian Public Service

About this book

The time was World War II. The U.S. government had not devised a way to deal with the thousands who for reasons of conscience would refuse to fight. Eager to avoid a repeat of the harsh treatment their young men had experienced during World War I the Historic Peace Churches (Quakers Mennonites Amish and Brethren) fashioned a program acceptable to their peace convictions--and the highly militarized U.S. government. It is an earthy story full of personal struggle government red tape humor and loss--an unusual experiment in church-state relations.