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Conservative Christian boycott
of the U.S. Army during 1999

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Overview:

In 1999, thirteen conservative Christian groups were reported as asking Americans to not enlist or re-enlist in the U.S. Army. The boycott was to continue until the Army terminates the on-base freedoms of religion, speech and assembly for all Wiccan soldiers. The boycott has since become inactive.

Quotes:

bullet "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." Part of the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
bullet "An Army that sponsors satanic rituals is unworthy of representing the United States of America." Paul Weyrich, Free Congress Association.
bullet "I hope...[the Christians] stick with the boycott; I'd rather not have my tax dollars giving guns and military training to bigots who oppose religious freedom." 1 A forum posting.
bullet "I don't think witchcraft is a religion. I would hope the military officials would take a second look at the decision they made." G.W. Bush (R), at the time, Governor of Texas. Interviewed on ABC's Good Morning America, 1999-JUN-24 by Peggy Wehmeyer.

Topics covered in this section:

bullet Introduction to the boycott:
bullet Overview;
bullet The Ft. Hood Wiccan group;
bullet Rep. Bob Barr's initial statements;
bullet Do taxpayers really support Wiccan rituals?
 
bullet Reactions to Barr's statements from President Clinton, the army & others
 
bullet Free Congress Foundation's boycott:
bullet The boycott,
bullet Paul Wenrich's comments;
bullet Senator Thurmond's comments.
 
bullet News items in the media
 
bullet Additional information:
bullet Root cause of the boycott -- religious misinformation;
bullet OCRT editorial comments;
bullet Additional online articles;
bullet Wiccan websites with comments on the Witch hunt.

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References:

  1. A posting by a "Pagan American" to American-Statesman's "Talk Back" forum at: http://www.statesman.com/

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Copyright © 1999 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 1999-JUN-9
Latest update: 2009-FEB-09
Author: B.A. Robinson
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