Posted on 11/21/2009 5:12:09 AM PST by markomalley
More than 150 leaders across a spectrum of conservative Christianity on Friday released a 4,700-word document vowing civil disobedience if they are forced to take part in "anti-life acts" or bless gay marriages.
Called the "Manhattan Declaration," the six-page, single-spaced document was drafted by Prison Fellowship founder Charles Colson, an evangelical, and Princeton University professor Robert P. George, a Roman Catholic, and included a bevy of Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox bishops, archbishops and cardinals as signatories along with dozens of clergy and laity.
Archbishop of Washington Donald W. Wuerl is one of the signatories.
"Throughout the centuries, Christianity has taught that civil disobedience is not only permitted, but sometimes required," says the document which cited civil rights icon Martin Luther King and his willingness to go to jail for his beliefs.
"Because we honor justice and the common good," it states, "we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide or 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."
When pressed to say what sorts of civil disobedience the writers were proposing, its originators were vague on the details at Friday's news conference during which the document was released.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Because they had to justify before God the reasons for rebelling against a power which was generally understood theologically as being ordained by God. They had to overcome the presumption that the powers that be are ordained of God. Hence the references to God and the inalienable rights of the individual.
The DOI was a very unique document in history. It remains so to this day. It stands as a declaration of the paradigm shift from the divine right of Kings to the divine rights of the individual.
"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." - Psalms 118:8
Just a thought.
Your point is well-taken and I agree.
Sorry my FRiend, but if all the votes for the third party candidate had gone to Coleman, Franken would still be Senator. Acorn would just have had to manufacture 3000 more votes for Franken. It might have taken a week or two longer, but Franken would still be Senator.
Democrats cheat. They have no moral foundation and the ends to them always justify the means.
Refuse to get sick?
Good answer.
2007:
[......]
Conservatives (f/k/aClassical Liberals) usually vote for candidates in the stupid party, because that is the only political party in which we have any hope at all of having any influence - having our voices listened to.
We have no voice in the evil party. Those who deliberately make choices that result in the evil party coming to power - (either by not voting, voting for a candidate in a non-viable political party, or voting for any 'RAT) - have my everlasting contempt.
I absolutely agree but we don't have to help them.
This brings up the opportunity to ask why did Christy prevail in NJ? I was shocked. I was sure the RATS had manufactured enough votes to make sure Corzine would prevail.
Really! We might get mail from Romney! Then for sure we shouldn't stand against evil!
We can agree on this point.
Religious leaders vow civil disobedience
I wonder how many of the signatories were among the Notre Dame 88.
To the best of my knowledge, the number is "zero." Could be wrong, though.
Shoot, I wonder how many even made a peep.
I'll have to track that down when I find time...
This current disaster can be laid directly at their feet and yet, they have not learned their lesson. They want to repeat it.
There's nothing standing in the way of you standing against evil, in any case.
Figuratively speaking, the cattle cars are already being loaded with our rights .................!!! Soon, the only things remaining will be privileges granted only to the party members that helped to enslave us.
CPAs and other tax preparers already do that. I believe this thread is about more than that.
“Personally, Ill pass.”
You will probably be intercepted. :-)
Thanks.
By Walter Williams
Published: November 11, 2009
At Speaker Nancy Pelosis Oct. 29 press conference, a CNS News reporter asked, "Madam Speaker, where specifically does the Constitution grant Congress the authority to enact an individual health insurance mandate?
Speaker Pelosi responded, "Are you serious? Are you serious? The reporter said, "Yes, yes, I am. Not responding further, Pelosi shook her head and took a question from another reporter.
Later on, Pelosis press spokesman Nadeam Elshami told CNSNews.com about its question regarding constitutional authority mandating that individual Americans buy health insurance. "You can put this on the record. That is not a serious question. That is not a serious question.
Suppose Congress was debating a mandate outlawing tea party-type protests and other large gatherings criticizing Congress. A news reporter asks Nancy Pelosi where specifically does the Constitution grant Congress the authority to outlaw peaceable assembly. How would you feel if she answered, "Are you serious? Are you serious? and ignored the question. And what if, later on, someone from her office sent you a press release, as was sent to CNS News, saying that Congress has "broad power to regulate activities that have an effect on interstate commerce, pointing out that demonstrations cause traffic jams and therefore interferes with interstate commerce?
Pelosis constitutional contempt, perhaps ignorance, is representative of the majority of members of the House and the Senate. Their comfort in that ignorance and constitutional contempt, and how readily they articulate it, should be worrisome for every American. Its not a matter of whether you are for or against Congress health care proposals. Its not a matter of whether youre liberal or conservative, black or white, male or female, Democrat or Republican or member of any other group. Its a matter of whether we are going to remain a relatively free people or permit the insidious encroachment on our liberties to continue.
Where in the Constitution does it authorize Congress to force Americans to buy health insurance? If Congress gets away with forcing us to buy health insurance, down the line, what else will it force us to buy? Or do you naively think they will stop with health insurance?
We shouldnt think the cure to Congress unconstitutional heavy-handedness will end if we only elect Republicans. Republicans have demonstrated nearly as much constitutional contempt as have Democrats. The major difference is the significant escalation of that contempt under todays Democratically controlled Congress and White House with the massive increase in spending, their proposed legislation and the appointment of tyrannical czars to control our lives. Its a safe bet that if and when Republicans take over the Congress and White House, they will not give up the massive increase in control over our lives won by the Democrats.
In each new session of Congress since 1995, John Shadegg, R-Ariz., has introduced the Enumerated Powers Act, a measure "To require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws, and for other purposes. The highest number of co-sponsors it has ever had in the House is 54 and it has never had co-sponsors in the Senate until this year, when 22 members signed up. The fact that fewer than 15 percent of the Congress supports such a measure demonstrates the kind of contempt our elected representatives have for the rules of the game our Constitution.
If you asked the questions: Which way is our nation heading, tiny steps at a time? Are we headed toward more liberty, or are we headed toward greater government control over our lives? I think the answer is unambiguously the latter more government control over our lives. Are there any signs that the direction is going to change? If we dont see any, we should not be surprised. After all, mankinds standard fare throughout his history, and in most places today, is arbitrary control and abuse by government.
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