Some states allow a philosophical exemption.
Our view of humanity expounded under The Declaration of Independence, reflected in the sort of government defined by The Constitution, and further refined by the roster of God-given rights we acknowledge, allows a man to claim philosophical exemption to the hurt of the entire nation.
The individual is honored above the whole.
An American inducted into the military can, during time of war, claim to be a “Conscientious Objector,” and be thus insulated from the perils of combat. Certainly, then, an American NOT in the military, during time of peace, must enjoy equally vast access to rights of conscience, be they every bit as inconvenient to the rest of the nation.
We will honor a man’s conscience to our national detriment in time of war, permitting him to lay down arms when all others are taking them up; we must certainly honor a man’s conscience to our national detriment in time of peace, permitting him to lay down what all others are taking up.