View source for Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience

{{Infobox statement
| image   = Manhattan Declaration
| location = [[United States of America]]
| published_date = November 20, 2009
| topics = [[Robert P. George]], [[James Dobson]], [[Al Mohler]], [[Ravi Zacharias]], [[Cornelius Plantinga]]
| website = [https://www.manhattandeclaration.org/ https://www.manhattandeclaration.org/]
}}

The "'''Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience'''" is a [[manifesto]] issued by [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]], [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], and [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] [[Christianity|Christian]] leaders<ref>{{cite web|url=http://demossnews.com/manhattandeclaration/press_kit/manhattan_declaration_signers |title=Manhattan Declaration & Signers |publisher=Demossnews.com |access-date=December 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901171332/http://demossnews.com/manhattandeclaration/press_kit/manhattan_declaration_signers |archive-date=September 1, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://manhattandeclaration.org/man_dec_resources/Manhattan_Declaration_full_text.pdf |title=Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience |date=November 20, 2009 |access-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222204432/http://manhattandeclaration.org/man_dec_resources/Manhattan_Declaration_full_text.pdf |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://manhattandeclaration.org/the-movement/latest-updates/10-12-23/Apple_Says_No_to_Manhattan_Declaration_App_2_0-1562643600.aspx Apple Says "No" to Manhattan Declaration App 2.0] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113094007/http://www.manhattandeclaration.org/the-movement/latest-updates/10-12-23/Apple_Says_No_to_Manhattan_Declaration_App_2_0-1562643600.aspx |date=November 13, 2011 }} ManhattanDeclaration.org. December 23, 2010</ref> to affirm support of "[[right to life|the sanctity of life]], traditional marriage, and [[religious liberty]]".<ref>[http://www.manhattandeclaration.org Manhattan Declaration] website</ref> It was drafted on October 20, 2009, and released November 20, 2009, having been signed by more than 150 American religious leaders.<ref name="AP">{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gQg36It0M4byaLSei_xloqAHk7NgD9C37UF01 |title=Christian leaders issue 'call of conscience' |date=November 20, 2009 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=November 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124082323/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gQg36It0M4byaLSei_xloqAHk7NgD9C37UF01 |archive-date=November 24, 2009 }}</ref> On the issue of marriage, the declaration objects not only to [[same-sex marriage]] but also to the general erosion of the "marriage culture" with the specter of [[divorce]], greater acceptance of [[infidelity]] and the uncoupling of marriage from [[childbearing]].<ref name="Boorstein">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/20/AR2009112004180.html|title=Christian leaders take issue with laws: DEFENSE OF BELIEFS URGED |last=Boorstein|first=Michelle |author2=Hamil R. Harris|date=November 21, 2009 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 16, 2010}}</ref> The declaration's website encourages supporters to sign the declaration, and it counts 551,130 signatures {{As of|2015|07|18|df=US|lc=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://manhattandeclaration.org/#1| title=Manhattan Declaration, signature counter|access-date=August 11, 2014}}</ref>

==Call to civil disobedience==
The declaration vows [[civil disobedience]] if Christians feel that their rights to [[civil liberties]] of [[Free Exercise of Religion|free exercise of religion]] and [[freedom of speech]] are being violated. It states that Christianity has taught through the centuries that civil disobedience is not only permitted, but sometimes required,<ref name="duin">Duin, Julia (November 21, 2009). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/21/religious-leaders-vow-civil-disobedience/ "Religious Leaders Vow Civil Disobedience On Anti-Life Issues"]. ''The Washington Times''.</ref> and refers to [[Martin Luther King Jr.|Martin Luther King Jr.'s]] defense of the rights and duties of religious conscience in his "[[Letter from Birmingham Jail]]".<ref name="The Manhattan Declaration">
{{cite web|url=http://www.governor.ks.gov/ |title=The Manhattan Declaration |access-date=May 25, 2009 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015084931/http://www.governor.ks.gov/ |archive-date=October 15, 2009 }}
</ref>

One of the drafters, [[Princeton University]] professor [[Robert P. George]], stated, "We certainly hope it doesn't come to that. However, we see case after case of challenges to religious liberty", including laws which he claims would force health care workers to assist in [[abortions]] or pharmacists to carry [[abortifacient]] drugs or [[birth control]].<ref name="duin"/> George continued, "When the limits of conscience are reached and you cannot comply, it's better to suffer a wrong than to do it."<ref name="duin"/>

Catholic [[Archbishop of Washington]], [[Donald Wuerl]]'s office was restrained about the issue of civil disobedience, indicating that the prelate was not calling on the faithful to "do anything specific".<ref name="Boorstein" /><ref name="Goodstein"/>

In 2012, the Manhattan Declaration's call to "civil disobedience" was cited in the ''[[Miller v. Jenkins]]'' lawsuit under the [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]], in which the [[Beachy Amish]]-Mennonite Christian Brotherhood was accused of helping a Baptist woman [[International child abduction|kidnap her daughter to Nicaragua]] as part of a [[child custody]] dispute with her former lesbian partner.<ref name=":0">[http://files.eqcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/25-Motion-to-Amend-Complaint.pdf Motion to amend complaint] eqcf.org</ref> [[Liberty University School of Law]] was also a named defendant in the lawsuit, because of alleged instruction to law students that "the correct course of action for such a situation would be to 'engage in civil disobedience' and defy court orders".<ref name=":0" />

==Signatories==
Notable signatories include:<ref>[http://manhattandeclaration.org/man_dec_resources/list_of_religious_leaders.pdf Manhattan declaration Signatories] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127013508/http://www.manhattandeclaration.org/man_dec_resources/list_of_religious_leaders.pdf |date=November 27, 2014 }} Retrieved October 25, 2014</ref>

* [[Joel Belz]], Presbyterian journalist and media executive
* Bishop [[Robert Brom]], Catholic Diocese of San Diego
* Bishop (later Archbishop) [[Salvatore Joseph Cordileone|Salvatore Cordileone]], Catholic Diocese of Oakland
* [[James Dobson]], founder of [[Focus on the Family]]
* Archbishop [[Timothy M. Dolan|Timothy Michael Dolan]], Catholic Diocese of New York 
* [[Robert Duncan (bishop)|Robert William Duncan]], primate of the [[Anglican Church in North America]] 
* [[Ligon Duncan]], former president of the [[Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reformation21.org/articles/the-manhattan-declaration-a-statement-from-ligon-duncan.php|title=The Manhattan Declaration: A Statement from Ligon Duncan|last=Duncan|first=Ligon |date=December 2009}}</ref> 
* Bishop Basil (Essey) of Wichita, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.<ref name="Boorstein" /><ref name="Goodstein">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/us/politics/20alliance.html|title=Christian Leaders Unite on Political Issues|last=Goodstein|first=Laurie|date= November 20, 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref>
* Cardinal [[John Patrick Foley]], [[Grand Master (order)|Grand Master]] of the [[Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Catholic)|Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem]]
* [[Timothy J. Keller]], Protestant apologist and pastor
* [[Richard Land|Richard D. Land]], President of the [[Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission|Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission]] of the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]
* Bishop [[Mark Maymon|Mark (Maymon)]], Diocese of Toledo, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
* [[Al Mohler]], president of [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albertmohler.com/2009/11/23/why-i-signed-the-manhattan-declaration/|title=Why I Signed the Manhattan Declaration|last=Mohler|first=Al|date=September 23, 2009|access-date=December 13, 2009|archive-date=December 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227082803/http://www.albertmohler.com/2009/11/23/why-i-signed-the-manhattan-declaration/?|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* David Neff, a Protestant journalist best known as [[editor in chief]] of ''[[Christianity Today]]''
* [[Jonah (Paffhausen)]], primate Metropolitan of the [[Orthodox Church in America]]
* [[Tony Perkins (politician)|Tony Perkins]], president of the [[Family Research Council]]
* [[Cornelius Plantinga]], emeritus President of [[Calvin Theological Seminary]]
* Cardinal [[Justin Francis Rigali]], Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
* [[Robert Sirico]], president of [[Acton Institute]]
* [[Robert B. Sloan]], president of [[Houston Baptist University]] 
* [[Joseph Stowell]], president of [[Cornerstone University]] 
* [[Chuck Swindoll]], chancellor of [[Dallas Theological Seminary]] 
* [[Timothy C. Tennent]], president of [[Asbury Theological Seminary]] 
* Archbishop [[Donald Wuerl|Donald William Wuerl]], Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
* [[Ravi Zacharias]], Christian apologetic, author, and lecturer

==Drafting committee==
The document was written by [[evangelical]] leader and Christian author [[Charles Colson]], [[Princeton University]] law professor [[Robert P. George]] and [[Beeson Divinity School]] dean [[Timothy George]].<ref name="Goodstein"/>

==Criticism==
<!--Copied and edited from 'Ecumenism'-->Many prominent [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] figures opposed it, including [[John F. MacArthur]], [[D. James Kennedy]], [[Alistair Begg]], and [[R. C. Sproul]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Document on Interfaith Cooperation Causes Rift : Dispute: Unofficial paper drawn up between evangelicals and Catholics draws criticism from Protestants who say it undermines basic tenets.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-04-me-38744-story.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 4, 1995|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=October 2024|reason=Source article is from 1995, before the Manhattan Declaration was drafted, and appears to be about a different document.}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Irreconcilable Differences: Catholics, Evangelicals, and the New Quest for Unity, Parts 1-3 |url=https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/GTY54/irreconcilable-differences-catholics-evangelicals-and-the-new-quest-for-unity-parts-13 |publisher=[[Grace to You]]}}</ref>

Some religious leaders have criticized and protested the Manhattan Declaration, calling its principles in general, and its opposition to same-sex marriage in particular, contrary to the teachings of Jesus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/feb/12/this-minister-is-standing-on-the-side-of-love/|title=This minister is standing on the side of love|last=Kingman|first=Cecilia |date=February 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/10/15/20101015phoenix-gays-rights-march-liberal-clergy-group.html |work=Arizona Republic |first=Michael |last=Clancy |title=Liberal clergy plan gay-rights protest in Phoenix |date=October 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/10/16/20101016phoenix-clergy-gay-protest-catholics-brk.html |first=Amy B. |last=Wang |work=Arizona Republic |date=October 16, 2010 |title=Phoenix clergy protest Catholics stance on gays}}</ref> Catholic scholar [[Anthony Stevens-Arroyo]] wrote, "While two wars are being waged, with unemployment in double digits, the financial system of the world in suspense, these religious leaders declare that abortion, stem-cell use and same sex marriage override any other Gospel value. (You won't find Jesus saying anything about abortion or stem cells in the Gospel, but the Savior said a great deal about the homeless, the sick, and the hungry.) It's cheating to speak pious platitudes about Christianity and ignore Jesus' words."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Anthony |last=Stevens-Arroyo |date=December 8, 2009 |title=Catholic America: Cheating the gospel and the Church |website=OnFaith |url=https://www.onfaith.co/onfaith/2009/12/08/do-cheaters-ever-win |access-date=May 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517005933/https://www.onfaith.co/onfaith/2009/12/08/do-cheaters-ever-win |archive-date=May 17, 2018 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

Some discussed the document as a political strategy, regarding it as the religious right's effort to re-establish its relevance in the public square,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/janet_edwards/2010/02/a_time_to_every_purpose.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205183417/http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/janet_edwards/2010/02/a_time_to_every_purpose.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2010 |first=Janet |last=Edwards |title=Super Bowl a party, not a pulpit |date=February 2, 2010 |work=OnFaith blog}}</ref><ref name="onfaith1"/> but others noted that younger generations of evangelicals and Catholics were less likely to oppose same-sex marriage and more likely to prioritize economic issues over social, and that the document was thus unlikely to win them over.<ref name="onfaith1">{{Cite news |work=OnFaith blog |url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2009/11/catholic_bishops_as_culture_warriors.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205093755/http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2009/11/catholic_bishops_as_culture_warriors.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 5, 2009 |first=John |last=Gehring |title=Catholic bishops as culture warriors |date=November 30, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |work=Christianity Today |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/novemberweb-only/147-21.0.html |date=November 24, 2009 |first=Tobin |last=Grant |title=What Does the Manhattan Declaration Really Mean?}}</ref> Stevens-Arroyo criticized fellow Catholics who signed the declaration for aligning themselves with evangelicals in what he described as opposition to the separation of church and state.<ref>{{Cite news |work=OnFaith blog |url=http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/anthony_m_stevens-arroyo/2010/11/inquisitorial_exceptionalism.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209001850/http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/anthony_m_stevens-arroyo/2010/11/inquisitorial_exceptionalism.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 9, 2010 |first=Anthony |last=Stevens-Arroyo |date=November 30, 2010 |title=Inquisitorial exceptionalism}}</ref>

The declaration's invocation of Martin Luther King and of the principles of civil disobedience has also been questioned.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/01/the_christian_rights_misreading_of_king.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120154036/http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/01/the_christian_rights_misreading_of_king.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2010 |work=OnFaith blog |title=Christian Right's misreading of MLK |date=January 18, 2010 |first=Valerie |last=Dixon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |work=[[Christianity.com]] |url=http://www.christianity.com/11623924/print/ |first=Julie |last=Ferwerda |title=Is the Manhattan Declaration an Affront to the Teachings of Jesus? |date=December 21, 2009 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928224249/http://www.christianity.com/11623924/print/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> An editorial in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' characterized the invocation of King as "specious" and criticized the document, belittling the "anecdotes" regarding restrictions on Christians' religious freedom as "of the sort radio talk-show hosts purvey" or from outside the United States, and noting that federal law already exempts "believers in some cases from having to comply with applicable laws."<ref name="LATimes">{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-28-la-ed-disobedience28-2009nov28-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 28, 2009 |title=Christian leaders' stance on civil disobedience is dangerous}}</ref>

=== iOS app ===
{{Update|section|date=December 2016}}
In response to a petition which argued the Manhattan Declaration [[Application software|app]] promoted [[bigotry]] and [[homophobia]], which received 7,000 signatures, [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] removed the app from iPhones and iPads, in November 2010, and later from iTunes.<ref name="CNA">[https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/21530/signers-protest-removal-of-manhattan-declaration-app-from-itunes Signers protest removal of Manhattan Declaration app from iTunes], CNA, December 3, 2010</ref><ref name="Tenety">Tenety, Elizabeth (December 11, 2010). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/10/AR2010121005647.html "Apple zaps conservative Christian app"], ''The Washington Post''.</ref> Apple told [[CNN]] that the app had been removed because it "violates our developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people".<ref name="Tenety"/> The app had originally been rated by Apple as a +4, meaning that it contained no material deemed objectionable.<ref name="CNA"/><ref name="Tenety" />

A month later, organizers of the Manhattan Declaration resubmitted a modified version of the app.<ref name="sbcbaptist"/> The new version lacks a "quiz", which, in the old version, had asked questions about political issues and assigned a score based on a set of normative answers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/12/12/Manhattan_Declaration_App_to_Return/ |publisher=The Advocate |title=Manhattan Declaration App to Return? |date=December 12, 2010}}</ref> As of December 10, 2010, more than 45,000 had signed a petition to have it reinstated.<ref name="sbcbaptist">Foust, Michael (December 10, 2010). [http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=34245 "Manhattan Declaration signers resubmit tweaked app to Apple"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306034539/http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=34245 |date=March 6, 2012 }}, ''Baptist Press''.</ref> [[Charles Colson]] voiced apprehension that Apple's move could have negative implications for more Christian apps, stating: "There is nothing in the Manhattan Declaration that is not rooted in Scripture. So if that becomes the offense then all the other apps would be subject to the same charge."<ref name="sbcbaptist"/><ref>Phan, Katherine T. (December 3, 2010). [http://www.christianpost.com/article/20101203/petition-asking-apple-to-reinstate-christian-app-gains-steam/ Petition Asking Apple to Reinstate Christian App Gains Steam], ''Christian Post''.</ref>

==Global response==
In 2010, similar declarations were released in the United Kingdom and Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westminster2010.org.uk/news/20000-signatories-and-2000-facebook-fans-in-ten-days-for-westminster-2/|title=Westminster 2010 webpage|accessdate=December 20, 2023|archive-date=November 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128030219/http://www.westminster2010.org.uk/news/20000-signatories-and-2000-facebook-fans-in-ten-days-for-westminster-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canberradeclaration.org.au/join-us/read-declaration/|title=Read Declaration|first=Guest|last=Writer|accessdate=December 20, 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Christianity and abortion]]
*[[Christianity and homosexuality]]
*[[Nashville Statement]]
*[[Phoenix Declaration]]
*[[Westminster 2010: Declaration of Christian Conscience]]

==External links==
*[http://manhattandeclaration.org The Manhattan Declaration - Life, Marriage & Religious Liberty] Website
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130901171332/http://demossnews.com/manhattandeclaration/press_kit/manhattan_declaration_signers Manhattan Declaration & Signers]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150316212602/http://archny.org/manhattan-declaration The Manhattan Declaration - Archdiocese of New York] Website
*[https://canberradeclaration.org.au/join-us/read-declaration/ Canberra Declaration website]

[[Category:Christian ecumenism]]
[[Category:Christianity and politics in the United States]]
[[Category:Christianity in New York City]]
[[Category:Freedom of religion in the United States]]
[[Category:History of Manhattan]]
[[Category:LGBTQ rights in the United States]]
[[Category:Opposition to same-sex marriage in the United States]]
[[Category:Anti-abortion movement in the United States]]
[[Category:2009 documents]]
[[Category:2009 in Christianity]]
[[Category:Christian statements of faith]]
[[Category:Anti-LGBTQ and Christianity]]

== References ==