South Carolina Ping
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)
Remember when the NRA ran the notorious "jackbooted thugs" ad over the Branch Davidian mess? I remember watching George Herbert Walker Bush cut his NRA membership card into pieces on national television.
Don't tell me a Republican administration wouldn't move against a defiant state. That's the basis on which the party was founded. Remember a fellow named Lincoln?
Like you know what it like to cook a prime steaks and native NC corn on the cob way up on Mount Mitchell.
moog wrote:
they want Biblical law
It would be interesting to see how that is interpreted. The ones before Christ's time were quite strict.
Exactly what I was getting at. Getting stoned would take on a whole new meaning once again.
And if we are talking Old Testament, that means no ham, no shrimp, no wearing a cotton-poly t-shirt (blended fabric) and a bunch of other stuff that most Americans would be unwilling to do.
AND there is precedent for polygamy, or knocking up your hand-maiden if your wife happens to be infertile. LOTS of fascinating concepts if they actually go for "Biblical Law".
Like you said:
Interesting.
A half dozen? LOL. For those who are unaware of it, South Carolina is attracting thousands of retirees and other transplants, most notably from Florida and New York. I doubt any of them are coming here for secession. Outside of a little ridicule we get from the publiciy, it will take a tad more than a half dozen theocratic wannabees to make any impression here.
Thanks upchuck. I just found this one and already posted to it. This one really brought out the screwballs last year. It was a lot more fun than the Schiavo or compromise threads. Go for it!
I read this in the paper; not going to work but we ARE fed up.
later read/ping????
You got that right Peach!!
If ChristianExodus.org fires on Fort Sumter we'll know there's going to be trouble.
AND there is precedent for polygamy, or knocking up your hand-maiden if your wife happens to be infertile. LOTS of fascinating concepts if they actually go for "Biblical Law".
No "unclean" food could be eaten. I think we could eat grasshoppers though/actually locusts. We might have to wait 17 years though. I wonder though if the mannah would start coming back. To satisfy everyone with it now would be horrendous though. Imagine all of the specialties that the big guy would have to come up with.
Funny you mention the polygamous thing. They seem to be experimenting on their own with their move to Texas. Then they got rid of a bunch of young boys so that the older men could have more underage phillies to marry. Do you know what the quietest event/place in their society is? The junior prom.
Interesting. Some attempts have been made with things like the Amish, the polygamists, the Mormons, and countless others.
I believe we can still remain in the world and not of the world and that one can still do a lot of good in society today. So I don't believe in taking oneself out of society just now. In 50 or 100 years, maybe, who knows? Someday, people may have to do just that, especially when the Lord comes and establishes his own city. I can't wait for that, well maybe I can as I have a lot of things to repent for.
Oh that's fine and upstanding and loyal to your country.
When you can't have your own way you roll up your borders and leave?
Isn't the strength of the country based upon the sovreign rights of states to create their own laws????
Enforce your own legal system, keep it pure as you wish and remain loyal to the country itself.
You certainly need the U.S. more than they need a bunch of whiners who insist everyone see if "their way".
Lord - the whole concept is tantamount to anti-Christian doctrine itself.
This country was founded on flight from RELIGIOUS OPPRESSION and now you want to gear it up again.
Read your history and take a few minutes to pray for wisdom!
If Christianity is becoming so narrow minded it cannot exist along with other belief systems, it must be a weak kneed sister - and I believe Christians are stronger than what South Carolina is proposing. Shame on them.
I saw a documentary having to do with that bunch in Texas.
Part of it was an interview with one of their women who had managed to get away.
Scary stuff.
If you DO get locusts, I have found you a recipe!
Mush link here:
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/naturalworld/bughouse/panroastedgrasshopper.asp
Bon Apetit!
:-)
WORLDNUTDAILY never ceases to amaze me.
AS for these whackjobs....Theocracies NEVER work out. Why is that? Because imperfect HUMANS are involved.
Same thing here.
LOL.
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