Welsh v. United States

Welsh (plaintiff) sought a conscientious-objector exemption under the Universal Military Training and Service Act but refused to sign a statement affirming his opposition was religious, since he would not affirm or deny belief in God; he stated instead a deep moral objection to killing in war and said he would rather go to prison than serve. He was convicted for refusing service, the conviction was affirmed on appeal, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Whether a conscientious objector may claim the statutory religious exemption from participating in war based on sincerely held moral beliefs that function like a belief in God, rather than an affirmed belief in a deity.