Manhattan Declaration

In 2009 a number of Christian leaders known for their public witness on behalf of justice, human rights, and the common good came together in shaping the historic Manhattan Declaration. It was born out of an urgent concern about growing efforts to marginalize the Christian voice in the public square, to redefine marriage, and to move away from the biblical view of the sanctity of life. It was originally signed by about 150 prominent Christian clergy, ministry leaders and scholars and was released at a press conference in Washington, DC on November 20, 2009. It is important to understand that the Manhattan Declaration is a call of Christian Conscience. It speaks to the church just as much as it speaks to the larger culture. In fact it is a clarion call to 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. Every day new threats emerge to these three core principles of a good and just society. And every day more and more people respond by adding their names to the Declaration. Each of these signers has committed to speak and act in defense of biblical truths with respect to the three issues it addresses. Each agrees that these truths are not open to compromise. And each has become part of a growing movement of people standing shoulder to shoulder in defense of these three vital moral issues.