Non-juror is a term used to describe someone who refuses to swear an oath to a government or religious authority. Other synonyms of this term include conscientious objector, recusant, dissenter, separatist, nonconformist, and heretic. A conscientious objector is someone who objects to military service on ethical or religious grounds. Recusants were English Roman Catholics who refused to attend Protestant Church services. Dissenters were non-Anglicans in England who refused to conform to the established Church of England. Separatists were Puritans who sought to separate from the Church of England and form their own congregations. Nonconformists were Protestant Christians who refused to conform to the established Church of England. Heretics were those who held religious beliefs that differed from those of the dominant religious authority.