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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:

	"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.
	"An Army that sponsors satanic rituals is unworthy of representing the United States of America." Paul Weyrich, Free Congress Association.
	"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.
	"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:

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

References:

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

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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