Generation Joshua

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Generation Joshua (Often called "GenJ" by its members and Dr. Black) is an American Christian right youth organization founded in 2003[1] that aims to encourage the involvement of 11-19 year-olds in civics and politics.[2] Its national headquarters are based in Purcellville, Virginia.[2] A division of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), Generation Joshua is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization. Although most of its activities are non-partisan, all partisan activities are funded by the organization's PAC,[3][4]

Generation Joshua's mission is twofold. The organization seeks to educate students on "not only how the government works," but "how it should work if the original intent of the Constitution is followed." The organization also seeks to provide activism opportunities for students to implement that vision, most notably by campaigning for candidates that share the organization's values.[2][4]. This has led some to criticize the organization, based on its promotional photos, for only campaigning for Republican candidates. [5] In supporting conservative candidates, the group hopes to "help America return to its Judeo-Christian foundations." Conservative Christian views.[2] The group's focus on youth has led some to characterize its mission as making "Christian nationalism palatable to the MTV generation".[6] [7]

Generation Joshua's name is taken from the Biblical character Joshua, the apprentice to Moses who later led the nation of Israel. GenJ currently has 6,000 members as of 2006.

Contents

[edit] GenJ's Programs

There are five major divisions to Generation Joshua's program. The divisions are Civics Education, GenJ Clubs, Student Action Teams, Voter Registration Initiative, and the Benjamin Rush Awards Program. The organization ultimately hopes return American to what it sees as its "Judeo-Christian foundations."[citation needed]

[edit] Civics Education

Generation Joshua offers self-paced online civics-related courses. As of 2007 there are 10 courses available including:

-Founding Fathers -Introduction to Constitutional Law -Campaign School: Successful Campaigning -Revolutionary War Era Sermons -The Federalist Papers -Democracy in America -The Great Awakening -Constitutional Convention -America's Founding Documents -GenJ Book Club[citation needed]

[edit] GenJ Clubs

Generation Joshua has over 60 chapters, or "clubs" (As of 2006), the largest of which -- with 50 members -- is in Knox County, Tennessee, a state which has the largest number of clubs.[8][9] At the GenJ Club meetings, normally once a month, members discuss current events with a Biblical perspective, listen to a special speaker (This could vary from a GenJ member giving a presentation to the other club members, to special politician guest speakers), pray for the nation and its leaders, and organize local activism. The clubs are led by a president, among other elected offices. The clubs are governed by Robert's Rules of Order. GenJ's goal is to have a club in every U.S. state by the end of 2007. While GenJ Clubs are active on a number of issues important to conservative Christians, its members are particuarly vocal in their support for preservation of traditional marriage, right to life and [returning America to its Judeo-Christian foundation].[8]

[edit] Student Action Teams

Generation Joshua, a division of HSLDA, involves its members in partisan activities thru HSLDA PAC. Typically, 25-100 volunteers are delpoyed to selected races of endorsed conservative candidates. In 2006, HSLDA PAC deployed more than 1000 individuals on the Student Action Teams.2006 Student Action Teams Report To date, despite not being aligned to any party, HSLDA PAC Student Action Teams have only been deployed for Republican candidates. [5]

[edit] Relation To HSLDA

GenJ's national offices are at the Home School Legal Defense Association, which is also the campus of Patrick Henry College. Michael Smith, president of the group's parent organization, 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 the next generation's involvement in government. 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] External links

Generation Joshua

[edit] See also

[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. ^ a b "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 organization'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.