The Manhattan Declaration and the Definition of “Christianity”
This dovetails with the most recent post by Mr. Kupp.
You may read the whole thing at my other group blog here.
A taste:
For those unaware, the Manhattan Declaration is a statement of conservative Christian doctrine on present day hot button moral issues. Mainly it is anti-abortion and anti-homosexuality in its sentiments.
It’s also a document that was, by its design, limited to orthodox Christians. That is, it’s a document of consensus on political/moral issues among traditional Roman Catholics, evangelical Protestants, Anglicans, and capital O Orthodox Christians (in other words Nicene Christians).
Apparently, Chuck Colson informed Hugh Hewitt that the document was more than merely political or moral; it is theological. “Jews, Mormons, and others, were not invited to sign the document…because this is a specifically Christian statement, quoting from the Christian scriptures.”
For historic orthodox purposes, the document seems undeniably “Christian.” …
[…]
I note, based on my meticulous study of America’s Founders and their religious beliefs, that whatever may divide the Christianity of Roman Catholics, evangelicals, and the Orthodox Church (i.e., the signatories of said declaration) they have far more in common with one another than they do with the “Protestant Christianity” of many key American Founders and the philosophers they followed (J. Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, probably Madison, Washington, and many others, and their key philosophical influences, Locke, Newton, Clarke, Milton, Priestley, Price, and Burgh).
Well, I’ve done my part in mocking this resolution. I signed it “You Suck”, with “fundamentalistssuck@hotmail.com” as the e-mail address.Report
My understanding is that part of the reason for keeping it explicitly “Christian” was to rope in the Eastern Orthodox, who have been sitting on the sidelines on this stuff.Report
Hmm. Could be.Report
For interested newcomers: Erik and I both wrote a little bit about the Manhattan Declaration not long after it was published. Erik’s post here, mine here.Report
Thanks!Report
I think the Manhattan Declaration is indicative of Americans who are tired of leders in this country NOT paying attention to what is healthy for children and adults, alike. The public schools in this country are filled with adults who abuse children….sexually and otherwise, as evidenced by the PEW study conducted early in 2000. I moved from California June 2009….the homosexual groups there are already taking 6-year-old to the San Francisco court house to witness current events…..a same-sex couple getting married.
Some CA schools teach homosexual lifestyles are just another way of living! A society which does not honor marriage and the unborn has to pay the consequences eventually and then everyone suffers. In some cities in Canada and perhaps now in the US, pastors can not mention homosexual behavior as a sin. People see the h- word and automatically believe it means the people and not the activity. BTAIM, the Manhattan Declaration is stating what many in the USA believe; the US is a Christian nation, regarding of what our founding fathers and mothers believe; one only has to read the Constitution.
A society that honors marriage is one that will live, care for its children born of this union of marriage between a man and a woman and help others in the society to live fruitful and healthy lives.
The Manhattan Declaration which I signed some months ago is made up of people who are taking a stand. The activity which is built on an activity which brings down health-wise a society is one that needs some checks….the Declaration is that check. It only states what most Americans believe.
People in CA prisons are getting sex-change operations. (an aside: who payas for this?) In some cities, there are now uni-sex public bathrooms. So children OR even adults going into a public bathroom have no assurance whom they will see..people undergoing sex change, deviants taking advantage of the new all-sex-bathroom local rules, real criminals preying on whomever they can grab in the public bathrooms.
The Islamic terrorists attacking Christian churches are not helping make Christians feel safe. This is a very scarey time and we already know that Jesus wins…has won and will help us help others to win. All we have to do is to be faithful to Him.
Patricia in St. Louis, MOReport
Patricia,
Before folks respond to this, are you for real?Report
Jon, this is a very real issue and appreciated if you don’t mock it. Instead, please offer an intellectual & rational rebuttal that may argue your point or discredit the above statement. If you are intolerant & want to bash Christians, you are about 2 millennia late.Report