Report on Christian Exodus

Christian Exodus www.christianexodus.org is a not-for-profit corporation organized to implement Christian separatism. Its name and purpose bear an obvious similarity to Christians in Exile. When I learned that Christian Exodus had been formed and was working along lines similar to Christians in Exile, I contacted its leader, Cory Burnell. A few phone conversations later, it was apparent that we were “on the same page.” Then, Cory and the rest of the Christian Exodus board were kind enough to invite me to their leadership conference in Greenville, South Carolina on October 15-17, 2004. I was fortunate to be able to attend.

I’m glad to report that the leadership conference drew about fifty attendees from various parts of the United States, including California, Texas, Arkansas. Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Mississippi and, of course, South Carolina. The career and educational backgrounds of the people there were also diverse: an elected Sheriff, a financial planner with advanced degrees from the U. of Michigan and the Wharton School,, a retired military officer, a philosophy Ph.D., an MBA, a pastor with doctorate in theology, two lawyers, a USC student/Constitution party activist, a Liberty Dollar distributor and a state representative of the League of the South. Two attendees had run or were running for public office in South Carolina. As far as religious or multicultural diversity goes, the conference was a failure, as all attendees belonged to various Christian denominations, including several Catholics.

We began the conference with a prayer. Cory Burnell welcomed us and explained to us what Christian Exodus was and was not. The speakers brought a high level of erudition to the conference. The Sheriff knew more about the United States Constitution than most lawyers. The ideas of Bastiat, Montesquieu and Locke were referenced throughout the day. The history of American independence and secession movements was recounted, including those decided by the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. All speakers quoted liberally from the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States, and the audience appeared to have memorized those two documents. Every time a speaker quoted from one of them, it seemed like the entire audience responded by finishing the quotation, verbatim. When the speakers were through, the conference broke out into committees organized around specific tasks, e.g., fundraising or research.

Christian Exodus has decided that its separatist association will be the sovereign State of South Carolina. I note that Christians in Exile has already designated parts of South Carolina as a destination for Christian pilgrimage and settlement. While the Christians in Exile approach to Christian separatism is ultimately regional and physiographic, there is nothing inconsistent between the two approaches. One has to start somewhere, and South Carolina is as good a place to start as any. It is a State with a strong sovereign identity, with a long history of supporting independence and secession movements. It borders the Appalachian mountain region, already selected by Christians in Exile for its prophetic, demographic and strategic significance. It has a seaport. It appears to have a more robust economy than many States, which is important for placing and supporting newcomers.

It is only natural for Christians to ask “Do we have a future in the United States?” At times, the temptation to despair presents itself. But take heart, readers, because Christian separatists are many and becoming more. I am grateful that Christian Exodus is there to offer us hope, encouragement and fellowship. I anticipate working with Christian Exodus to achieve our common objectives. Together, we have already made a good start assembling a core group of activists and supporters. We have talented people who have and will sacrifice for a Christian nation. We have begun to travel the road that will take us there. Lao Tse’s ancient observation has become a cliché, but only because it is so true: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The Greenville, South Carolina conference may have been that beginning step.

X-In Hoc Signo Vinces

December 30, 2004
Luke Exilarch