Generation Joshua

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Generation Joshua (Often called "Gen J" by it's members) is an American Conservative Christian youth organisation founded in 2003^[1] that aims to encourage the involvement of 11-19 year-olds in politics.^[2] It is based in Purcellville, Virginia.^[2] A branch of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and funded by that organisation's PAC,^[3][4] Generation Joshua's mission is twofold: it teaches its members Conservative Christian political principles and then organises them to campaign for candidates for public office who share its views.^[2][4]. While the organisation is non-partisan, its promotional photos only show members campaigning for Republican candidates. ^[5] In supporting conservative candidates, the group hopes to implement a "Judeo-Christian America" based on Conservative Christian views.^[2] The group's focus on youth has led some to chracterize its mission as making "Christian nationalism palatable to the MTV generation".^{[6] [7]} Generation Joshua's name is taken from the Bible -- see Joshua. While the group is active on a number of issues important to Conservative Christians, its members are particuarly vocal in their opposition of same-sex marriage, legal abortion and Separation of church and state.^[8]

Generation Joshua has 31 chapters, or "clubs", the largest of which -- with 50 members -- is in Knox County, Tennessee, a state which has the largest number of clubs.^[8][9] Michael Smith, president of the group's parent organisation, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association sees Generation Joshua as part of a larger movement. By training students (often homeschoolers) in the principles of Conservative Christian political views and encouraging them to be active politically, Generation Joshua seeks to fundamentally influence a generation of right-wing political activists. Smith hopes that many of these students will go on to conservative colleges such as Patrick Henry College, (also founded by the HSLDA) where they will learn to "restore a moral framework and return America to its founding principles".^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ ^a b Michael Smith, "A new generation of moral leadership.", The Washington Times, http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20050522-110120-9031r.htm 23 May, 2005.
2. ^ ^a b c d "What is Generation Joshua?", Generationjoshua.org, http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=2442006.
3. ^ "Contributions" Generationjoshua.org, http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=35 Accessed 3 October, 2006.
4. ^ ^a b "Join", Generationjoshua.org, http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=23Accessed 3 October, 2006.
5. ^ "Student Action Teams", Generationjoshua.org, http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=66 Accessed 3 October, 2006.
6. ^ Russel Cobb, "Cracks in the Christian Ascendancy: Why it's too soon to panic about an American theocracy.", Slate, http://www.slate.com/id/2144522/ June 27, 2006.
7. ^ See the organisation's brochure for an example of how it seeks to appeal to youth culture.
8. ^ ^a b "East Tennessee teens mix politics with prayer.", NBC WBIR, http://www.wbir.com/life/programming/local/liveatfive/story.aspx?storyid=32295 28 February, 2006.
9. ^ "GenJ Clubs", Generationjoshua.org, http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=147 Accessed 03 October, 2006.