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Satanists are in the army now

Andrew Marshall
Friday 11 June 1999 00:02 BST
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A GROUP of American conservative religious organisations is demanding that Christians boycott the US Army and all of its works until the military ends support for its latest denominations: witches and satanists.

The Army has decided to allow other religions to practice their beliefs on US bases, including the adherents of Wicca, or witchcraft. A handbook for Army chaplains also includes the Church of Satan among groups allowed to worship.

"An Army that sponsors satanic rituals is unworthy of representing the United States of America," said Paul Weyrich, president of the Free Congress Foundation, a right wing group.

The Military Pagan Network (MPN) hit back by saying that the Constitution specifically rules out discrimination based on religion. John Machate of MPN said: "All religions are, and should be, permitted free practice on military bases, within reasonable limits."

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