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Analogy of 16th Century Anabaptists and 1960s Draft-card Burning http://www.cob-net.org/anabaptism.htm This brief comparison is made to reflect how the governments in Switzerland, France, and Germany perceived 16th century Anabaptists - not how the latter perceived themselves. It is not intended to legitimize draft-card burning nor to denigrate Anabaptist martyrdom, but only to illustrate the severe cost that is required of those who follow their beliefs when in direct opposition to the government. 16TH CENTURY ANABAPTISTS 1960s DRAFT-CARD BURNERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rebaptism was an illegal act Draft-card burning was an illegal act They knew is was illegal They knew it was illegal Often done in public Often done in public Anabaptists considered their Draft-card burners considered their motives to be genuine motives to be genuine Govt's called them lawbreakers Govt's called them lawbreakers They knew the governments They knew the governments perception of them, yet they perception of them, yet they resisted the authorities resisted the authorities 'Some' Anabaptists conspired 'Some' card burners conspired against the government against the government The government aggressively The government aggressively hunted them down hunted them down The government usually wanted The government usually wanted to kill them to incarcerate them Many fled to other countries to Many fled to other countries to avoid prosecution avoid prosecution Some never returned Some never returned Anabaptists paid a dear price Draft-card burners paid a dear price for what they believed for what they believed Anabaptists were motivated by Draft-card burners were motivated by 'non-political' reasons 'non-theological' reasons Comparing these two ideologies will breakdown at the point of judicial process because draftcard burners were imprisoned while Anabaptist were routinely executed. Täufenjagern (baptist hunters) were special groups that systematically and persistently tracked and arrested these intractable saints. |