Declarations offer opposing
viewpoints on marriage
The Layman, August 25, 2010
Two opposing Christian declarations are making the rounds on the Internet – one standing for the traditional marriage and the other calling on Presbyterian pastors to reject the “one-man, one-woman” definition in the Presbyterian Church (USA) constitution and confessions.
The Manhattan Declaration is a non-partisan statement of conscience in defense of human life, traditional marriage and religious freedom.
The 4,700-word Manhattan Declaration on Christian Conscience encourages the Church to take a stand on three vital issues: The sanctity of life, the dignity of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and religious liberty. Drafted by Dr. Robert George, Dr. Timothy George and Chuck Colson, the document calls on Christians to adhere to their convictions and inform civil authorities that they will not abandon their consciences.
“Some are saying gay ‘marriage’ is inevitable. Don’t fall into this trap. It’s not so. The Supreme Court almost never has gone against the moral consensus of the people on these kinds of issues,” a recent e-mail newsletter from Manhattan Declaration organizers states. “It’s up to us, every one of us, to vigorously spread the message about the importance of the three great moral issues of the day, life, marriage and religious liberty.”
In another declaration – sponsored by a PCUSA pastor Brian Merritt of the Washington D.C. area – Presbyterian ministers, elders and deacons are asked to support same-sex marriage.
Bearing a similar name, the Minneapolis Declaration of Conscience was launched earlier this week via online petition. Unlike the Manhattan Declaration – which is non-denominational – the Minneapolis Declaration appears specific to PCUSA.
The eight-point declaration describes the traditional, man-and-woman definition of marriage as restrictive and says that it hinders pastoral care duties. It concludes that signers cannot abide by “overly restrictive ecclesial/liturgical definitions” of marriage.
“We believe that binding our liberty in Christ in matters to which we believe the Spirit of God is directing us runs counter to our confessional and reformed heritage, which calls us to encourage covenant faithfulness and love rather than thwart it,” the declaration states. “We believe that Christ’s teaching, the Pauline witness, and our confessions guide us to reject binding our consciences against actions we believe stem from the Spirit of God. We call on people of good faith to cease from using our church courts to promote schism for their definition of purity.”
The Minneapolis petition was nearing 100 signatures, approximately 24 hours since its launch. The overall stated goal is 1,000.
The Manhattan Declaration, introduced Nov. 20, 2009, has nearly 500,000 signatures, including Presbyterian Lay Committee President Carmen Fowler and Editor Emeritus Parker Williamson.
Among the recent developments on the Manhattan Declaration Web site is a blog, Twitter and Facebook accounts, and a mobile phone compatibility.