Manhattan Declaration Hits 200,000 Signatures

CitizenLink ^ | 11/30/09 | Kim Trobee

[Sybeck1]

The Manhattan Declaration was unveiled at a press conference Nov. 20. Now, more than 200,000 people have signed the document that outlines Christian teaching on abortion, marriage and rights of conscience.

Chuck Colson, founder of The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, said on his daily Breakpoint commentary that the declaration was a proclamation that Christians will protect the tenets of their faith.

"There, in front of all those cameras and lights, Christian leaders lovingly, winsomely and firmly took a stand," he said. "I will never forget the picture. I stood between Archbishop Wuerl of Washington and Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia. I looked over at Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Jim Daly of Focus on the Family, and Ron Sider, president of Evangelicals for Social Action. It was a foretaste of what we're all going to see in heaven."

Other Christian leaders signing included Bishop Harry Jackson, senior pastor of Hope Christian Church, the Rev. Chad Hatfield, chancellor and CEO of St. Vladimir's Seminary, Robbie George, director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, and Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List.

Just four days after launching the Manhattan Declaration Web site, nearly 100,000 people had signed their support for the document, and that number continues to climb.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, said it's the kind of communication that captures the spirit of the Christian faith.

"Inviting and answering questions, engaging in civil discourse, acknowledging where we've fallen short and investing more energy in doing the right things for other to see," he said. "It's the language of cultural change."

Opponents have called the document a political tool to resurrect the "religious right."

Colson said that couldn't be further from the truth.

"This document is a clarion call to reach out to the poor and the suffering," he said. "It is, in fact, a form of catechism for the foundational truths of the faith. It underscores human rights, and calls on everyone to protect human dignity at every stage of life. The Manhattan Declaration was written for the common good and for justice."

[kitkat]

***:) It would be nice to have 1 MILLION by Christmas!!***

It would indeed.

And it takes only a minute or two to sign.

http://manhattandeclaration.org/

[HarleyD]

Opponents have called the document a political tool to resurrect the "religious right."

As opposed to the "religious left"? I'm tired of these sanctimonious snot-nose elites labels who pretend that they are sooooo loving; all the while supporting non-Christian actions and the sins of the world. They are tares in the church that needs to be exposed. Can they find anything wrong with the statement? If they want to call it the resurrection of the "religious right", I'd say bring it on.

[Cobra64]

They'd have gotten more signatures if it had a better title.

It conjures up the WWII term: "The Manhattan Project."

[Venturer]

I hope it reaches 200 million.

[healy61]

I always say wait until you see that more that 50% jump on something, then I will join up - knowing it is safe and all. s/

[fwdude]

"Opponents have called the document a political tool to resurrect the 'religious right.

"Colson said that couldn't be further from the truth."

There are some pernicious presuppositions in both the statement and the retort. To a leftist, the term 'religious right' is simply a convenient political smear to paint with a broad brush mere Christians (those who believe Scripture, especially the words of Jesus Christ.) The term is a misnomer; either you are religious (in the good sense, meaning spiritual - Christian) or you are secular.

Colson has been drifting left into ecumenism for some time. He denounces the accusation without knowing what it means (see above.)

[ElPatriota]

yes

213809 signatures in support ...and growing!

According to my calculations, the rate is about 20 signatures per minute, 1100 per hour, or about 26,000 per day. We need to increase the rate to get one MILLION by Christmas. Hopefully as the number grows people will get more excited and make it go faster.

But it's great anyway.... because every signature must represent at least 10 people at this point. That means those signatures really represent over 2 MILLION already... I'm guessing here. You know many may not know about it yet, busy, etc etc etc..

[Wpin]

214,100 when I signed!

[missnry]

214,376 and growing

[irishtenor]

Well, we ARE religious, and we ARE right...

[Othniel]

I signed it. Knowing that I am not alone in my defiance toward anti-family rhetoric makes me stand that much stronger. I will NOT teach that the gay lifestyle is equal to the one between a married man and woman! Ever!

[mojito]

I signed. Thank you for posting this, as it’s the first time I’ve heard of it.