Recently, a prominent psychologist, Ken Pope, resigned his membership in the American Psychological Association out of conscience. His point being, the acceptance by the APA to allow psychologists to be present during torture was unethical, and in breach of everything that the ethical standards of the APA were about.
I got to thinking about the point of resigning due to conscience...what a quandary. If you are no longer a member of the group/office/department, you have no say in how it conducts its business. On the other hand, if the organization no longer represents your values, it is hard to continue to participate and/or support it.
I know first hand that there are tactics to making one's life a living hell to get them to resign...sinister, yes, but an effective tactic, knowing that someone else will fill the position who is more like-minded, or perhaps less confrontational. After all, outside of reputation, the organization will continue to do what it wills, and eventually will find someone to fill in the spot left vacant by the conscientious objector.
Why then, if you are in a lose/lose position, do you resign? Would it not be better to stay, and to try to affect change somehow, than to split?
Dr. Pope is certainly not alone. During the run up to war in 2003, John Brady Kiesling resigned his position from the foreign service.
The policies we are now asked to advance are incompatible not only with American values but also with American interests. Our fervent pursuit of war with Iraq is driving us to squander the international legitimacy that has been America’s most potent weapon of both offense and defense since the days of Woodrow Wilson. We have begun to dismantle the largest and most effective web of international relationships the world has ever known. Our current course will bring instability and danger, not security.
John H. Brown followed suit.
So did Mary A. Wright
She states:
I hope you will bear with my explanation of why I must resign. After thirty years of service to my country, my decision to resign is a huge step and I want to be clear in my reasons why I must do so.
So, her reasons are as follows:
I disagree with the Administration's policies on Iraq
So do I, Mary.
I disagree with the Administration's lack of effort in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Mmmhmmm.
I disagree with the Administration's lack of policy on North Korea
No worries, that one's resolved, right?
I disagree with the Administration's policies on Unnecessary Curtailment of Rights in America
That one's resolved, too, we just saw the Senate clear things up today with their vote on FISA legislation.
We're not talking about resigning to spend time with the family, as many Republicans have been forced to do. We're talking about leaving your position due to the immoral leadership or policies that one has been asked to enforce or tacitly follow.
I don't know about this one, I'd be interested in what others think. Is it a good thing, or does it just clear the way to enable corruption and immorality?