Concerned Women for America - The Manhattan Declaration: We Must Obey God Over Caesar

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The Manhattan Declaration: We Must Obey God Over Caesar 11/24/2009
By Wendy Wright

A declaration stating that Christians will not surrender or be silenced on the issues of sanctity of life, marriage, and religious freedom has garnered signatures from thousands of Christians. The Manhattan Declaration, released on November 20, emphatically states: “We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence.”

The bold statement carefully describes the Biblical principles to protect the weak, honor marriage, and respect religious freedom. Chuck Colson, Founder of Prison Fellowship, explained that one of the purposes of the Declaration is to train younger Evangelicals. “We’re hoping to educate them that these are the three most important issues,” he told the New York Times.

The clarion call to obey God rather than man is summed up in the final paragraph:

“Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and 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. We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.”

Mr. Colson wrote the Manhattan Declaration with Robert George, a Catholic professor at Princeton University; and Rev. Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School, an evangelical school in Birmingham, Alabama.

One signer of the Manhattan Declaration is a man who has already paid the price for following his conscience. Walter Hoye, an evangelical black pastor in Oakland, California, was jailed for holding a sign at an abortion clinic stating “Jesus Loves You and Your Baby. Can We Help You?”

At least two people cannot sign the document because they lost their lives for their Biblical beliefs. Jim Poillon was shot and murdered, targeted because he held pro-life signs in public. Mary Stachowicz shared the Biblical view on homosexuality to a homosexual co-worker. He brutally beat and murdered her.

I have also signed, knowing that the threat to our freedom is quite real. Twice, I was sentenced to six months in jail for simply praying on public property near an abortion clinic. One of those times included a condition. The judge stated that I could be released from jail if I promised not to do it again. As the Manhattan Declaration eloquently puts it, I cannot comply.

In a speech to conservative leaders in 2008, I pointed out how current legislation on abortion, homosexual rights, freedom of speech, if passed, will lead to religious oppression. My experience proves that our freedoms are precarious. The opponents of life, marriage, and religious freedom intend to silence Biblical beliefs.

You can read and sign the Manhattan Declaration at www.manhattandeclaration.org.