The Manhattan Declaration
Co-written by Chuck Colson, The Manhattan Declaration is an attempt for some evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox Christians to take a hard political stance on three issues: abortion, gay marriage and religious liberty. They unveiled it today although it was written a few months ago.
Here’s the most descriptive few paragraphs from the Declaration:
While the whole scope of Christian moral concern, including a special concern for the poor and vulnerable, claims our attention, we are especially troubled that in our nation today the lives of the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly are severely threatened; that the institution of marriage, already buffeted by promiscuity, infidelity and divorce, is in jeopardy of being redefined to accommodate fashionable ideologies; that freedom of religion and the rights of conscience are gravely jeopardized by those who would use the instruments of coercion to compel persons of faith to compromise their deepest convictions.
Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense. In this declaration we affirm: 1) the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of every human being as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, possessing inherent rights of equal dignity and life; 2) marriage as a conjugal union of man and woman, ordained by God from the creation, and historically understood by believers and non-believers alike, to be the most basic institution in society and; 3) religious liberty, which is grounded in the character of God, the example of Christ, and the inherent freedom and dignity of human beings created in the divine image.
We are Christians who have joined together across historic lines of ecclesial differences to affirm our right—and, more importantly, to embrace our obligation—to speak and act in defense of these truths. We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence. It is our duty to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in its fullness, both in season and out of season. May God help us not to fail in that duty.
At the time of this writing the main Manhattan Declaration site was giving me some problems, but I was able to find the full text here.
What do you think of the Manhattan Declaration? Do you think it’s useful for Christians to sign?
I have read the information on the site and the responses to the Mdec that other well respected leaders in Christianity have written, and I have come to the conclusion that Protestants should not sign this declaration. Here is my blog about it and I ask that you be open minded to the information it contains, and be vigillantly prayerful before you make a decision to sign or not to sign. Christians stand for the things the Mdec lists, but there is a few problems, which I addesss on my blog post http://ow.ly/I38j
while its true theres only one true church of which Jesus is head , entry to the kingdom is trough a new birth
john 3;6.7
so one has to ask should unity be at any cost and cause,aljonot of christian religions hold good christiam morals , such as protecting un born ,marriage ,etc.
but they also preach a different gospel!!. i believes its good to up hold gods laws and also preach the
gospel of grace and truth ,matt 28.john 3;16.
let us never make salvation a system of works or creeds,outside that is of recieving salvation trough repentance from sin and recieving christ by faith.
All truth needs to be defended but all truth in gods word if taken in chid like faith will lead you first to Christ and his salvation.
I would agree in we need to defend true faith but not agree that all christian churches are walking in christ and in only the light of his word. so signing should never comprimise the truth and grace of the gospel,
to sign might do this.