Followers pray to a god and goddess they believe is incarnate in the Earth and the cycles of nature. Wicca is nothing like that. We are not baby killers. Commanders first officially recognised witches at the army base in Fort Hood, Texas, last month. The ceremony took place inside Fort Hood, where it is estimated that there are up to 200 witches.
Witches claim that they have a constitutional right to hold ceremonies.
According to the Military Pagan Network, at least five other military bases now allow pagan rituals, with Wicca study groups at 13 more bases and on two navy ships. They say there were reports last week of a group of witches asking to hold ceremonies while on peacekeeping duties in Kosovo. Witches are now pressing to be allowed to serve as military chaplains, alongside priests and rabbis. Among their most vociferous opponents is the leading conservative Republican Bob Barr, who is calling for Congress to bar witchcraft in the armed forces. Witches say they would not allow their beliefs to interfere with military missions, even though most strongly oppose killing.