More reactions to the Declaration

"On occasions in the recent past various church documents and pronouncements have come forth. Some have been wishy-washy and less than biblical. Thus it is good to find a document like this which is not fearful in tackling some of the biggest threats to religious freedom in general and biblical Christianity in particular."

"It deserves not only a wide hearing but solid backing and promotion. The strong stance demonstrated and enunciated in this Declaration is to be applauded and duplicated, if we are to have the sort of impact we need in an increasingly dark and fragmented society." ₁

"This declaration is certain to be deeply divisive. These religious leaders want to see their doctrines imposed by force of law, and that goes against everything America stands for. The United States is an incredibly diverse nation, and it would be a disaster if government started favoring one religious perspective over others. ... I am optimistic that the people in the pews will not heed their leaders? misguided call to action. Polls show that most church-goers do not want to see their faith politicized. But I am also well aware that religious leaders have vast lobbying power that cannot be ignored." ₂

"Truth Wins Out (TWO) condemned a theocratic anti-gay manifesto that seeks to foist compulsory Christianity on the nation, at the expense of basic liberty, pluralism and freedom. The so-called 'Manhattan Declaration' was signed by 145 fundamentalist, evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox Christian activists, who claimed they were above the law and would refuse to obey state rules unless they were in alignment with their sectarian church beliefs.

" 'This is a disturbing call for anarchy from a group of radical clerics and activists who believe they don?t have play by the same rules as other taxpaying Americans,' said Truth Wins Out?s Executive Director Wayne Besen. 'We call on all Americans who value a free society to stand up and reject this theocratic and intolerant manifesto'."

" 'It is heartbreaking that these so-called Christians have elevated bigotry to be the defining aspect of the religious experience,' said Rev. J.R. Finney, pastor of Covenant Community Church in Birmingham, AL. 'These churches are uniting by dividing this country and making a mockery of the rule of law'." ₃

"Really? The 'three most important issues'? That?s a bold statement. And what are the issues that are drawing younger evangelicals attention, anyway? ... get a group of young Christians talking about social issues and you are also likely to hear about climate change and justice issues - human trafficking, militarism, and especially global poverty. Let?s just focus on that last one for the moment. Are the signatories of the Manhattan Declaration confident that preventing civil society from recognizing same-sex marriage is a more central issue for Christians than addressing poverty? Are they serious? Let?s see ... in the parable of the sheep and the goats ₄ Jesus separated the blessed from the cursed based on how they treated the hungry and thirsty, the sick, the stranger, the naked and the prisoner. If that?s not enough reason to prioritize serving those in need, consider that James 1:27 says that 'Religion God your Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world'."

"My point is not that the sanctity of life and same-sex marriage are non-issues for the church. ... What bothers me is the implication in Colson?s remarks that all Christians must have have identical political priorities. His hierarchy seems to me to be less rooted in scripture than in the present political climate. ₅

Westport, CT, Nov. 23, 2009: "The Manhattan Declaration, endorsed by the most conservative religious leaders in America's religious life, is once again a political call against women?s moral agency and the rights of lesbian and gay persons masquerading in religious language. These religious leaders would have us believe that they will be forced to provide abortions or bless same sex marriages against their religious principles. Nothing could be further from the truth."

"Faith leaders across the political spectrum support religious freedom, the right of each religion to determine its own rites and practices, as well as freedom of the pulpit. Mainstream and progressive religious leaders differ from conservatives in our belief that no single religious voice can speak for all faith traditions on abortion or LGBT equality, nor should government take sides on religious differences. We oppose any attempt to make specific religious doctrine concerning the rights of women and LGBT persons the law for all Americans."

"Ten years ago, a multifaith group of religious leaders issued the Religious Declaration on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing, a 500-word call for sexual justice that affirms full inclusion of women and LGBT persons and a faith-based commitment to reproductive rights. Today, the Religious Declaration has been endorsed by 3,300 religious leaders, including denomination and seminary presidents, from more than 50 faith traditions. Its positions on reproductive justice and LGBT equality reflect the majority opinions of American citizens, faithful and secular alike. Neither the Manhattan Declaration, nor the handful of Catholic bishops and evangelical leaders who created it, speak for most Christians, much less people of other faiths." ₇