Posted on 07/03/2005 2:07:41 AM PDT by Dan Evans
A year after suggesting possible secession from the United States, a group of Christians fed up with American laws they believe are at odds with the Bible is beginning to move to its target state of South Carolina.
ChristianExodus.org has attracted more than 700 members from across America since WND broke the news of its inception last May, and already a half-dozen families have picked up and transplanted to the Palmetto State.
"A year ago, no one had moved. It was just a project on the board," said Cory Burnell, a financial adviser who is president of ChristianExodus. "Now, it's actually happening. Whether it's a couple of years or 20 years, we're gonna get it done."
Calling the legalization of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts the straw that broke the camel's back, the group was inspired to concentrate like-minded Christians in a single area to influence local laws, with secession a possibility. Recent Supreme Court decisions regarding the seizure of private property and the debate over the public display of the Ten Commandments have only served to strengthen the resolve of many.
"We, like other believers, as well as many other conservatives have seen the political situation in the United States dominated by liberals over the last 40 years, whether they were in power or not," says Mike Sawyer, who is looking to make the move. "The 'conservative Republican' party has let the people who have worked to get them elected down repeatedly. The latest 'filibuster disaster' regarding judicial nominees is a case in point. Basically, a handful of Republican senators decided to cave in to the liberals, again. We believe that this can only be turned around with a concentrated effort in one state."
But is splitting away from the U.S. a serious option?
"The thought of secession is a last resort strategy," Sawyer said. "We hope to work within the system as much as possible in order to restore a true constitutional government."
That sentiment is echoed by Frank Janoski, who moved his wife, Tammy, and their four children from Mohrsville, Pa., to South Carolina in February.
"I believe we can work with 'the system' if you will to effect the outcome of local elections and certainly the CE theory is to do this county by county," Janoski said, "but I do not discount the possibility that the federal government or the rest of the 'union' may not agree with our objectives or core politics. So secession may be a very real alternative – and is as I believe our constitutional right if things lead to that."
"I'm about as patriotic as anyone you'll ever meet," says Charles Lewis, who moved his family of four from the nation's capital for the opportunity to raise his children in a wholesome, Christian-friendly environment. "However, the secession option is firmly in the Constitution – it's the linchpin of the whole thing, [the] ultimate safety valve."
Nevertheless, Lewis' love for America remains clear.
"The USA is God's country, the greatest nation of modern times," he told WND. "We've fed the world, fought its wars, sent out more missionaries to spread the word of God than any other. Our Declaration and Constitution were divinely inspired."
ChristianExodus members are coordinating with the Constitution Party, the political party most closely aligned with the goals of Burnell's group. Those who make the move are expected to play an active role in local and state politics, with many looking to run for elected office.
Burnell says he's excited about the movement due to the sheer youth of those involved.
"Most of our leadership is in their twenties, thirties and forties," he said. "We're a project driven by young people. We're not going anywhere – except South Carolina."
Though ChristianExodus does not have any test for citizenship, it does post a statement of beliefs on its website. Burnell says Catholics, Mormons and even Jews are members, all looking to reestablish constitutionally limited government founded upon Christian principles.
When news of the movement first came out last year, both ChristianExodus and WND received both positive and negative reaction, with critics saying:
"Talk about giving the 'left' a weapon from our weakness! These Christians are asking the state that started the Civil War to leave the U.S., and start a new country? With ideas like this, we won't need a devil." (Peter Ward)
"Those 'Christian secessionists' are just not thinking properly. Their heads are just as muddled as the rest of the citizens. They should be arrested for high treason against the USA. ... An independent 'Christian state' where the vast majority of the 'Christian' population is prayerless and continues to be addicted to TV entertainment is far from being the solution. (James Chai)
Well, it'll take more than a half dozen families, that's for sure..
Splitting from the U.S. is down right stupid. If they want to band together that is okay with me, but take that energy and work to right the wrongs here in this country.
And with th edecision of the Fourth Circuit Court -and the silent agreement by the supremes it is not considered against the law for any Christian to pray in the Name of Jesus before any body of local ,County,State, or Federal
Government in the Carolinas, Virginai,West Virginia,and MaryLand.Can't help but wonder if this wasn't the ACLU's ploy to etem th eflow of Christians to the South? IF a Christian cannot pray in th ename of their Lord can they still be called Christian?
Should be 'want Biblical law' = 'don't want un-Biblical laws'
No they might not break away from the country but after several thousand move they could have a effect on local and state government.
I'm with you there and I think that some in this case are doing just that.
they want Biblical law
It would be interesting to see how that is interpreted. The ones before Christ's time were quite strict.
Along with the Libertarians taking over New Hampshire and the Hispanics taking over Califonia, Arizona and Texas it looks like we're headed for the Balkanization of the country.
What state do the laid back whiskey sippin' good old boys plan on taking over? That's the one I'm moving to.
They could join up with the Islamists, who feel the same way.
It won't work out well, but it is still an excellent idea because the people involved will (1) get their yinyangs out instead of sitting around being frustrated and (2) perhaps learn something useful in the process.
America has always afforded opportunities for folks to build separatist, sometimes self-consciously utopian, communities. (The growth of the high tax regulatory state makes that more difficult, but that's another story.) The Mormons are the most famous example. The Amish, Mennonites, and Hutterites are others. Rummaging back through history, there are a good many Amanas, Brook Farms, New Harmonies, Shakertowns, etc. As recently as the 1970s, one credible survey identified over 30,000 "alternative communities" within the United States. A lot of these were hippie communes, cohousing, or cooperative arrangements, and many of them disappeared quickly. But the point is, the people tried. Good for them.
Alternative communities with staying power tend to be small, religiously motivated, and/or have a strong, patriarchial authority structure. Even then, they have difficulty retaining their young people, who tend not to share the separatist motivations of their elders. (The Amish manage this better than most.) The two great reality checks are: (1) how do you make a living, and (2) how do you avoid endless community gabfests and make timely decisions. These experiments should receive more attention than they do. They are interesting in and of themselves, and they are a put-up-or-shut-up challenge to a lot of loudmouths.
Each little group will have their own opinion on what the law should be, what punishements should be meted out, etc. If I had to guess that will derail any multi-denominational character to this endevor pretty quickly.
It will be interesting to watch. I almost wish they had gone to New Hampshire, the interactions between CE and the Free Stater's would have told us a lot I think.
Tell that to William Bradford, Miles Standish, and others...
Yeah, but the ones written in 1776 were ok, especially the ones written up to about, say, 50 years ago?
1776 ones were inspired--oops the Constitution came later. Which ones 50 years ago? There still would be a lot of different intrpretations.
gee, lets see,
no prayer in schools
gun control
enviromental laws
forced acceptance of gays
affirmative action
political correctness
parents arrested for spanking kids
need any more?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.