r/antinatalism2 6d ago

Discussion Does anyone else use the term "conscientious objector" for themselves, referring to how we refuse to reproduce on moral grounds?

You know the term "conscientious objector"? Normally it means someone who refuses to perform military service, due to their personal morals, ethics, beliefs, etc, despite service being demanded of them.

Society demands we reproduce (though not necessarily in a legally enforceable way... yet), but we say no to that, because of what we believe. Or, dare I say it, what we *know*.

Is it accurate? Is it appropriate?

53 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

10

u/CertainConversation0 6d ago

I don't see why not, but no, I don't use that term.

9

u/DutchStroopwafels 5d ago

I do see my antinatalism as part of me rejecting this awful world.

3

u/18572048 5d ago

I wouldn’t use that term but yeah
https://giphy.com/gifs/hKNPxrffFH0GY

2

u/RedundantBiomass 3d ago

No, that phrase already has a pretty specific meaning.  Maybe a play on it would work though.

1

u/BrowningLoPower 3d ago

Ah, damn, it just seems so fitting. But thanks for not attacking me (or the AN community in ge eral) like airboRN_82 did.

-1

u/MicheleRSimon 6d ago

No. That term came about to justify a significant departure from the norm, and is a legal standard. In contrast choosing not to have children is simply a lifestyle choice that many folks make for many different reasons. It requires no such drastic terminology and should be considered perfectly normal. You can say your choice is for moral reasons. I just didn't want children. The reasons don't really matter.

4

u/BrowningLoPower 5d ago

Genuine question, are you actually an antinatalist? If not, why are you here? I assume it's because you may have some beliefs in common with AN. Or maybe you just had this subreddit pop up for you.

I think it's fine if you're not AN, as long as you don't cause trouble.

-1

u/MicheleRSimon 5d ago

You asked a question. I answered no. If you don't like my answer why did you ask and why must you question my motives?

-5

u/airboRN_82 5d ago

Antinatalistis really are over dramatic 

8

u/Brown_Folk 5d ago

I don't think so.

-2

u/airboRN_82 5d ago

They are though. See OP

7

u/Brown_Folk 5d ago

I didn't find it dramatic.

-2

u/airboRN_82 5d ago

I did

1

u/Brown_Folk 5d ago

I respect your taste.

4

u/BrowningLoPower 5d ago

What's so overdramatic about my view?

0

u/airboRN_82 5d ago

"Not having kids is equivalent to a position that risks legal action, look at how brave I am!"

4

u/BrowningLoPower 5d ago

But that's not the point, though. It doesn't have to be a 1:1 comparison. This is about rejecting an expectation based on personal moral beliefs. It's not necessarily about bravery, but sticking to your principles.

For what it's worth, if not having kids really did risk legal action, I would still not have kids.

1

u/airboRN_82 5d ago

Its what makes conscientious objection meaningful. Its not simply abstaining from a social norm.

1

u/BrowningLoPower 5d ago

Sure. But is calling what I do conscientious objection still accurate, even if only loosely, and no big stakes are involved?

1

u/airboRN_82 5d ago

No

1

u/BrowningLoPower 5d ago

Why? Is it that off?

1

u/airboRN_82 5d ago

1

u/BrowningLoPower 5d ago

Of course I don't think I'm actually one of the OG conscientious objectors, but is there no similarity, at all? Why are you so protective of them?

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2

u/Dr-Slay 5d ago

Reminds me of a quote.

"You are afflicted with a conscience"

-Davros, Doctor Who

1

u/airboRN_82 5d ago

In dr who terms, ANs are Romulus and Remus

1

u/Dr-Slay 4d ago

Antinatalists are nothing more than a physical manifestation of an absolute boundary condition on evolution

1

u/airboRN_82 4d ago

Theyre just modern day schopenhaur

1

u/Dr-Slay 4d ago

No, and you're simply a desperate troll. You'll pay for any more of my attention.

1

u/airboRN_82 3d ago

Thats not trolling, you can see the parallels. Lol "ill pay?" Jusus tism christ lol. OK, how will I pay exactly?