But as Pope Francis says, conscientious objection is a human right. Those have to be accommodated in a legal way because they are part of the foundation of dignity for the human person.
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Conscientious objection must enter into every juridical structure because it is a right,” Francis told reporters, speaking in Italian. “If someone does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right.”
I found the California State code that upholds this
here
A. Conscientious Objection
Conscientious objection means an objection by an individual to performing an act that the individual sincerely believes is wrong. The objection may be based on ethical, moral, religious, or philosophical grounds. When directly related to working conditions, a conscientious objection is considered to be a compelling reason for restricting availability for work, voluntarily leaving work, or refusing a job offer or referral to work.
In determining whether the reason for a refusal is attributable to conscientious objection, an essential factor to be considered is whether the individual genuinely believes that the action or condition to which he or she objects conflicts with his or her convictions or whether the individual merely chooses, for other personal reasons, to place a limit on acceptable employment. The degree to which the claimant’s beliefs are commonly held or considered reasonable by others is immaterial.
A conscientious objection will constitute good cause for refusing a job offer or referral provided the objection is genuine AND a conflict actually exists.
B. Religious Beliefs
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . . . "
First Amendment prohibitions apply to state and federal governments only, and do not apply to private employers. Private employers are, however, governed by the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 if they have over 15 employees. That Act prohibits covered employers, government, and labor unions, from discriminating against persons because of their religion:
“The term “religion” includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief, unless an employer demonstrates that he is unable to reasonably accommodate to an employee’s or prospective employee’s religious observance or practice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer’s business.”
The principle behind this is that conscientious objection has an important role in forming the conscience of the society. It affirms the fact that no one person or organisation holds the key to objective truth.
“In fidelity to conscience, Christians are joined with the rest of men in the search for truth, and for the genuine solution to the numerous problems which arise in the life of individuals from social relationships. Hence the more right conscience holds sway, the more persons and groups turn aside from blind choice and strive to be guided by the objective norms of morality.” - GAUDIUM ET SPES
