We, as Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christians, have gathered, beginning in New York on September 28, 2009, to make the following declaration, which we sign as individuals, not on behalf of our organizations, but speaking to and from our communities. We act together in obedience to the one true God, the triune God of holiness and love, who has laid total claim on our lives and by that claim calls us with believers in all ages and all nations to seek and defend the good of all who bear his image. We set forth this declaration in light of the truth that is grounded in Holy Scripture, in natural human reason (which is itself, in our view, the gift of a beneficent God), and in the very nature of the human person. We call upon all people of goodwill, believers and non-believers alike, to consider carefully and reflect critically on the issues we here address as we, with St. Paul, commend this appeal to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
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.
Read it carefully and read it all and note the names of the signatories.
If you want to sign on to the Declaration, you can do so here:
http://www.manhattandeclaration.org/
[i]equal dignity[/i]
I have no idea what that means. The devil is in the details.
This is one of Christendom’s great Declarations.
It calls for a response, for taking a firm, unmoving, “Here I stand. I can do no other.” kind of position, and for sacrifice, if need be.
Copy it to Word, print, read and study it carefully. Pray and think about it. Ask the LORD for wisdom and clarity and for His will in how to respond.
The Manhattan Declaration calls us, if we are Christ’s to take a stand against the culture of death and slavery to carnality and to stand without flinching and equivocating for the right of Christian conscience, religious freedom and the sanctity of human life.
We must stand as believing Christians NOW if we ever do.
This is our moment to be faithful if we ever are going to be.
How do you begin to take the stand that this Declaration calls us to do?
If you truly embrace all that the Declaration contains, I have some practical suggestions on how you can translate it into your life after signing it.
Send the Manhattan Declaration as a Word document as an attachment to everyone on your email and postal lists along with the link to sign it and a brief letter explaining what it is and why it is important.
If you do not now belong to a pro-life group like Anglicans for Life, join or talk with your pastor about forming one in your church. If he is opposed, form a group in your neighborhood or city.
Get together with your group to pray and study, and to counsel together how to act, wisely and lovingly.
Contact Georgette Forney at the Anglicans for Life website (http://www.anglicansforlife.org/index/)
There is good information to help you and your church become active in the cause of LIFE.
You or your group can send or hand deliver the Declaration to all the churches in your town. OR, make an appointment for two of you to go and speak with the pastors and give them a copy of the declaration and other pro-life books and brochures. If they equivocate or decline, ask them why and write down their reasons. Pray with your group for these pastors and ask God to work in their hearts and how you can meet and answer their objections at a later time, after the Holy Spirit has worked.
If you have been pro-abortion, influenced someone to have an abortion, or were involved in the abortion business, or had an abortion or more than one, and you can see how your heart and life have been affected, there truly is help and healing in God’s merciful abundant grace of forgiveness and redeeming, restoring love.
Contact Georgette Forney at Anglicans for Life. Go to go the Silent No More site. (http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/)
There are healing and educational groups and resources at many crisis pregnancy centers and churches for post-abortion-minded or abortion-wounded people. You will not be shamed or scolded, only helped, healed and embraced by the love of God. I know, for I am one of those people whose heart, soul and life was scarred and changed by abortion.
The Lord Eternal, Who is Love, Truth and Life, be with thee and with thy spirit. Amen.