Manhattan Declaration Calls on Christians to Stand Strong
By Legal Editor
Published: November 20, 2009
WASHINGTON /Christian News/ — Alliance Defense Fund President, General Counsel, and CEO Alan Sears joined with more than 145 Christian clergy, ministry leaders, and scholars in Washington Friday to sign the “Manhattan Declaration,” a groundbreaking statement calling on Christians to take a stand and decline to comply with any policies that would violate their sincerely-held religious beliefs with regard to the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
“Rarely before have so many American Christian leaders, from across the theological spectrum, come together in one accord to stand in support of religious liberty, life, marriage, and the family,” said Sears. “ADF attorneys are in courtrooms across America tirelessly defending these principles from constant attack. That’s why it’s a great privilege for me to join with Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christians in adding my signature, as an individual, to this historic document, and I hope others will join in support of this effort.”
The declaration states, in part, “Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destruction research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family. We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.”
The goal of the declaration is to affirm the right of Christians to fulfill their obligation to defend human rights and principles of justice that are under threat. Individuals can add their signature to the declaration at www.ManhattanDeclaration.org.
“At a time when religious freedom, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family are under seemingly unrelenting attack, it is a great encouragement to know that we, as the Body of Christ, stand together in unity on these vital issues of concern,” said Sears. “It is my hope and prayer that this declaration will not only educate our communities on why we must stand for liberty, life, and family, but will empower them to proclaim God’s Truth on these issues as well.”
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
Tagged with: Manhattan Declaration, pro-life, religious freedom, sanctity of life
