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)
For a little bit, it seemed as though you were advocating those. Now I see... That's why I was wondering.
You forgot abortion.
OOps!
OOps!
It's a biggie.
WND cracks me up. They "broke the news" of something that was announced in a press release. Way to dig out the truth, guys.
In other observations, these folks seem to have missed something. The word "exodus" refers to leaving an oppressive nation, not trying to take part of it with you.
and already a half-dozen families have picked up and transplanted to the Palmetto State.
Yeah, that'll sell. Secession worked out so well for South Carolina the last time around.
I think it's Kentucky. I hear a person already needs a passport when entering from another state ;-)
That's good news. Since I reside in NC I won't have far to go. Now, if they just appreciate good cigars there I'm all ready for secession!
"We the people.." are in the very early stages of going from a concept to a reality. 62+ million and growing is a threat to the anti-life, anti-freedom gangs. We will not tire, we will not falter, we will not fail.
Exactly, reading your post I keep thinking of Atlas Shrugged. Maybe we will see someone actually pull off a Galt's Gulch while the rest of the country crashs and burns. We can always dream.
South Carolina doesn't seem the place to make a difference. It would seem Washington state or Colorado or New Mexico would be better spots. They are borderline Red/Blue states and a few thousand of them all voting could change things. SC seems like the easy way out.
Sorry, Canada, like it's whiskey, is too bland. Gotta go for a US State or I ain't moving.
Several thousand moving to Taxachusetts might have an effect on local and state government, but moving to SC will just cause redundancy as that state already trends conservative.
Exactly, reading your post I keep thinking of Atlas Shrugged. Maybe we will see someone actually pull off a Galt's Gulch while the rest of the country crashs and burns. We can always dream.
Sounds more like a nightmare to me. Atlas Shrugged never continued past the point where the "Deserters" come back. I bet they had a lot of fun re-establishing order out of the chaos.
Don't give up the ship. Stay and fight, for Heaven's sake!
Changing the political leanings of individual states will take generations, and with the deluge of leftist propaganda being fed to young people today, it would never work. Remember, the latest generation is being called the "entitlement generation". If we wait 10, 20, 30 more years, the battle for real freedom will be long lost.
The solution for the WHOLE USA is to hold a Constitutional Convention and ratify an Amendment to the Constitution. One or two clearly worded amendments could solve alot of current problems - I'm thinking of gay marriage, gun control, emminent domain, IRS, etc. If it is possible (probably not), I would ban the participation of all current or past office-holders; fed., state, or local. Let the people decide!
This idea (a convention) scares the hell out of politicians - just ask them - precicely the reason it should be done.
"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."=============
#37
If you read their strategy, they plan on essentially taking on several government agencies within an entire city and area. Such as the city council, county commission, sherriff's department, and judgeships.
From there, they have every intention of simply defying the Federal government. Now THAT'S an interesting strategy. If they were to do something like that during say a Bush / Republican administration such as we have now, it would be the complete collapse of the Socialist Supreme Soviets in Black robes.
Bush and the Republicans are NOT going to send in the military, the FBI, etc. to stop them. Depending on their message and their presentation (and it looks more like civil disobedience with well documented support), it would mean the end of Conservative Christian support for the Republican Party. Then the party would collapse. The Repubs know this too.
It would almost end up being a standoff with the US Supreme Court similar to what Abraham Lincoln did with Dredd Scott when he told the US Supremes to take a flying leap!
ANTI-DNC Web Portal at ---> http://www.noDNC.com
On the other hand, if it were the rabid Socialists in power, i.e. the DemonRats, then this would be the excuse they've been looking for to implement the "final solution." I can absolutely assure you with their insanity, and a few more years to work up their hate rhetoric, they would be calling for executions and death sentences for DARING TO DEFY THE god OF GOVERNMENT!
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