The Manhattan Declaration - The good and the bad
WASHINGTON – Evangelical, Orthodox and Catholic leaders who unveiled the "Manhattan Declaration" Friday insisted the document is not a political ploy.
Rather, it is a testament to their common Christian witness as they stand to uphold what they believe are the three most foundational issues in society – the sanctity of life, the historic understanding of marriage, and religious liberty.
So I have to give credit where credit is due: A group of faith leaders who normally spend their time cursing each other for their heretical beliefs came together and agreed on something.
The problem is one statement:
"We are talking out of deep religious principles grounded in the holy Scriptures and the use of reason as we understand it as a God-given gift."
-Dr. Timothy George, one of three leaders who drafted the document, emphasis mine.
Here's the problem: There are enough topics that we have been wrong about in the past to fill entire volumes. Drafting a document that pushes you into action, while admitting you could be wrong, is honest but still dangerous.
I agree that abortion is sad, but the rage against abortion should be directed into action, not political documents that curse abortion. Every week I see people protesting abortion clinics, but I never see that group approaching women who are in need walking into that clinic and offering to assist them, to raise their child, to offer them hope. Instead, we see them offering condemnation.
The Manhatten Declaration seems to do one thing: Affirm the topics which christian politicians take a stand on and declare their rights to continue to have freedom to voice these viewpoints.
There is truly nothing new under the sun.
