Army of God
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The Army of God (AOG) is a name that has been used in several contexts, most recently in connection with anti-abortion activism. Setting aside its potential application to historical military crusades, the term was first coined when Don Benny Anderson kidnapped an abortion doctor and his wife, promising to release them if abortion was outlawed in the United States.
The Army of God is an underground network of activists who believe that the use of violence is an appropriate tool for fighting against abortion. Its affiliates consist of right-wing Christian militants who have committed violent acts against abortion providers. [1]
AOG is associated with several individuals:
- Eric Rudolph [2]
- Clayton Waagner
- Rev. Michael Bray, is considered the "chaplain of the Army of God".
Others loosely affiliated with, or in some support of, the "AOG" include:
- Neal Horsley occasional spokesman for AOG
- John Brockhoeft
- Father David Trosch
- Dan Holman
- Barry Kilbane
- Dr. Patrick Johnston, OD
- Bob Lokey
- Chuck Spingola of Unashamed & Associates
- Drew Heiss
- Paul deParrie
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[edit] Website
There is an ArmyofGod.com web site operated in Chesapeake, Virginia. Rev. Donald Spitz has an email under this name.
The AOG website has praised the Rev. Paul Jennings Hill, a former minister in the Presbyterian Church of America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, who was executed in 2003 for killing a doctor 10 years earlier in Pensacola, Florida. They have also endorsed Shelley Shannon, who wounded Doctor George Tiller. They also offered support to James Charles Kopp, a Roman Catholic formerly affiliated with "The Lambs of Christ", when he was on trial for murdering Doctor Barnett Slepian.
Their viewpoint is perhaps best summarized in their "Second Defensive Action Statement"
- We the undersigned, declare the justice of taking all godly action necessary, including the use of force, to defend innocent human life (born and unborn). We proclaim that whatever force is legitimate to defend the life of a born child is legitimate to defend the life of an unborn child.
- We declare and affirm that if in fact Paul Hill did kill or wound abortionist John Britton, and accomplices James Barrett and Mrs. Barrett, his actions are morally justified if they were necessary for the purpose of defending innocent human life. Under these conditions, Paul Hill should be acquitted of all charges against him.
[edit] References
- ^ Group Profile: Army of God. MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base (2006). Retrieved on 2006-08-16.
- ^ Army of God letters support accused bomber Eric Rudolph. CNN (2002). Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
