The Exodus is off to a slow start.
Christian Exodus, a Texas-based group, has a goal of moving up to
12,000 conservative Christians to South Carolina to establish a
government formed strictly on the Constitution and biblical
principles.
So far, only five families have made the move, all to the
Upstate. But organizers hope to increase that number significantly
after holding a three-day planning meeting beginning Friday in
Greenville.
The meeting will be the first extended chance for the public to
listen to Christian Exodus members discuss their political
philosophies and outline their plan for moving people to the
state.
The most controversial part of that plan has been the group’s
documented intent to secede from the United States if it is unable
to pursue its aims within the boundaries of the U.S. government.
Arthur Bryngelson, chairman of the Dorchester County Republican
Party, is listed as one of the conference speakers and “the first
political candidate Christian Exodus will endorse.”
Bryngelson, who lives in the rural Givhans community, said he
supports the idea of government based on Judeo-Christian principles.
However, he is not in favor of radical ideas such as secession.
“I think what they (Christian Exodus) want to do is congregate as
Christians to bring about change,” Bryngelson said. “I’m in favor of
Christians as a group trying to change things. And I appreciate that
these people are paying attention to us. I think they’ll find South
Carolina is already a very conservative and Christian place as it
is.”
The leader of the group is 29-year-old Cory Burnell, a
businessman from California who has previous ties in Texas with
League of the South, the largest secessionist group in the country.
Burnell no longer belongs to the group, he said.
Since founding Christian Exodus, however, Burnell has stressed
that his main goal is to bring back limited government based on
Judeo-Christian principles.
“Christian Exodus doesn’t seek to institute a theocracy, but we
do want a return of our religious liberties that were once so
preciously guarded in America,” Burnell wrote in a statement
explaining the group’s purpose.
The main sources of information for the movement are two Web
sites, http://www.christianexodus.org/
and http://www.christianexodus.com/.
The sites offer everything from descriptions of the group’s
philosophies to message forums where members discuss the way of life
in South Carolina, political strategies and the group’s plan of
action.
The Web sites have generated thousands of hits, but only about
900 people are registered as full members of the group.
In other forums, prominent institutions such as Bob Jones
University, the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the governor’s
office have declined to endorse the group’s mission.
But Steve Lefemine, a representative of South Carolina Christians
for Life, said when the group first formed that his organization
would support anyone trying to bring Christianity back into public
government.
One politician is denying any ties to the group. U.S. Rep. Tom
Tancredo of Colorado plans to speak at Greenville Tech about
immigration issues while Christian Exodus is gathering elsewhere in
Greenville.
Burnell said his group changed the time for its event so
attendees could hear Tancredo’s speech. But a Tancredo spokesman
called it a coincidence and said the congressman is not connected to
the group.
The Web sites indicate that while many are interested in checking
out the group’s ideas, not many people have come out as full
supporters.
Under a section called “Christian Exodus Yellow Pages,” a few
dozen businesses and individuals have registered their names. One is
a Michigan-based insurance adjuster. Another is a Coldwell Banker
Realtor, Richard Bonnett, who has offices in Lexington. Efforts to
reach Bonnett were unsuccessful.
One South Carolina church, South Point Baptist in the Upstate
town of Pelzer, is listed as a main contact for Christian Exodus.
Efforts to reach the church’s pastor, the Rev. Tony Romo, also were
unsuccessful.
Bryngelson said he plans to run for Dorchester County Council in
2006 as a Republican. He is traveling to Greenville next weekend, he
said, mainly to help Christian Exodus members and their supporters
learn more about South Carolina.
“My main concern is I want these folks to understand we’re not a
radical state. I live as a Southerner, and I love my state and have
no intention of watching anyone else fire on Fort Sumter again.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Knauss at
(803) 771-8507 or cknauss@thestate.com.
ABOUT CHRISTIAN EXODUS
What is Christian Exodus? It’s a nationwide movement
started in 2003 by Cory Burnell of California. Burnell and others in
the organization want to move thousands of evangelical Christians to
South Carolina to establish what Burnell calls a “constitutionally
limited government founded upon Christian principles.” If that can’t
be done, the group has indicated it would eventually attempt to
secede from the Union and form a Christian-based nation-state.
What is the timeline? The group hopes to establish a
Christian and constitutionally based government in the state by
2016.
Why was South Carolina selected? Burnell said the state
was selected because of its climate, economy and way of life, as
well as the presence of many conservative Christians.
To learn more: Christian Exodus is holding a meeting at
the Greenville Hilton from Friday through Sunday. On Saturday, the
public can listen to speakers, view exhibits and learn more about
the movement.
On the Web: http://www.christianexodus.org/
or http://www.christianexodus.com/
— Christina
Knauss
