History and Affiliations
Christian Exodus was modeled after the Free State Project, a group that aims to relocate libertarians to New Hampshire. Christian Exodus' founding documents contained language very similar to that in the Free State Project's Statement of Intent and Participation Guidelines, but founder Cory Burnell has aimed recruiting at an ideologically different segment of the population. It has announced intentions to move people to selected cities and counties of South Carolina in stages, with each stage timed to influence a particular election cycle. The group has the stated goal of encouraging the relocation of thousands of Christian families. The first city in South Carolina targeted was Anderson, South Carolina. The group claims that some 15 families have relocated. In addition to South Carolina, the group announced in the Fall of 2007 that Christian Exodus supporters would also settle in Gem County, Idaho. Some of their members are also moving to Panama.
Throughout 2004 Christian Exodus worked closely with the Southern nationalist League of the South to build support in South Carolina, but in recent years has distanced itself publicly from the League. A 2006 goal to relocate 12,000 individuals to South Carolina was not met. To date the group claims that only about 15 families have relocated to South Carolina. Founder Cory Burnell still resides in California despite his own earlier efforts to relocate.
In late 2007 the group announced that a separate contingent in Idaho had been founded. According to reports the group is made up of several families already settled in Gem County, Idaho who share the original view of Christian Exodus, but are unwilling to relocate to South Carolina. The group is led by Paul Smith, a former Congressional candidate. In the spring of 2007, Cory Burnell stepped down as head of the organization, citing his inability to find work in South Carolina, and subsequently Keith Humphrey became the Executive Director of the organization.
Christian Exodus and the Constitution Party share a number of members, especially in the former's leadership, and have co-authored a website called the "Save America Summit" which promotes Constitution Party Presidential candidates and Christian Separatist ideology.
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