Stephen Spiro

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Stephen Spiro
Born	1939 the Bronx
Died	October 23, 2007
Cause of death	cancer(liposarcoma)
Nationality	United States
Other names	Shorty
Education	Fairleigh Dickinson University
Occupation	computer programmer
Known for	opposition to Vietnam War, "consistent life ethic"
Religious beliefs	Roman Catholic
Spouse	Diane Rankin Spiro
Children	John-Paul Spiro, Dan Spiro, Judee Fiorello

Stephen Spiro was an opponent of the Vietnam War. He opposed the war based on the theory of Just War, and was a conscientious objector. The law allowed for conscientious objection only on the grounds of opposition to all wars, and he was convicted of avoiding conscription. He was given a five year suspended sentence for avoiding conscription, and was later pardoned by President Gerald Ford.^[1]

Contents 1 Early Life 2 Opposition to the Vietnam War 3 Pro-Life Movement 4 References

[edit] Early Life

Stephen Spiro was born in the Bronx in 1939. He attended Xavier High School in Manhattan. He attended the University of Chicago and later received degrees in economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

[edit] Opposition to the Vietnam War

Stephen Spiro opposed the Vietnam War as not conforming to the Catholic theory of just war. As the conscription laws in the United States at the time allowd for conscientious objection only on the grounds of opposition to all war, he was convicted of avoiding the draft. The sincerity of his beliefs were recognized, as he received a five year suspended sentence for his actions, and he was later pardoned by President Gerald Ford. His family was more proud of the conviction than the pardon.^[2]

[edit] Pro-Life Movement

Stephen Spiro was involved in the Right to Life movement, advocating a consistent life ethic, also known as the seamless garment argument. This argument states that the right to life leads to opposition to abortion, capital punishment and war as a single consistent moral position.

[edit] References