Who were people who refused to fight in wars?

Conscientious objectors are individuals who refuse to participate in military conscription or combat on the basis of religious, ethical, or moral grounds. Conscientious objectors come from a variety of backgrounds and their motivations for refusing to fight can vary widely. Some of the most notable and famous conscientious objectors include:

- Socrates (c. 470-399 BC): The Greek philosopher Socrates refused to fight in the Peloponnesian War, citing his belief that war was immoral.

- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968): The American civil rights leader and Christian minister Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, arguing that the war was unjust and immoral.

- Muhammad Ali (1942-2016): The American boxer and civil rights activist Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War, citing his religious beliefs as a Muslim.

- Dorothy Day (1897-1980): The American journalist, social activist, and Catholic convert Dorothy Day was a conscientious objector during World War I and World War II, citing her pacifist beliefs.

- Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943): The Austrian Catholic farmer Franz Jägerstätter refused to fight for the Nazi regime in World War II and was executed for his refusal.

- Simone Weil (1909-1943): The French philosopher and mystic Simone Weil refused to accept a position as a nurse in World War II and was eventually deported and died of tuberculosis.

- Desiderio Costa (1889–1941): Italian Seventh-Day Adventist who spent 13 years of his life in fascist Italian prisons for his refusal to bear arms.

- James Nangle (1908–1988): New Zealander Methodist, who refused to serve in the military due to his pacifism and was jailed for it.