Posted on 11/21/2009 1:26:06 PM PST by khnyny
Conservative Christian leaders unveiled a declaration Friday calling on Christians not to comply with rules and laws forcing them to accept abortion, same-sex marriage and other ideals that go against their religious doctrines.
The declaration urges Christians to practice civil disobedience to defend their convictions, even though some signers of the document backed away from the strong language.
The Catholic Archbishop of Washington, Donald W. Wuerl, was among the first signers of the Manhattan Declaration. He appeared at a news conference in the District on Friday to announce it, even as the Church was considering a city-proposed compromise on its same-sex marriage measure. Church officials say the bill, as it stands, would require faith groups, such as the church-run Catholic Charities, to extend benefits to married same-sex partners, an example of what the declaration's authors see as a violation of religious liberty law.
"We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them," the declaration says. It lists the "fundamental truths" as the "sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife, and the rights of conscience and religious liberty."
The declaration is signed by more than 125 Orthodox, Catholic and evangelical leaders. Other leaders at the news conference at the National Press Club included Cardinal Justin Rigali, outgoing chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities; Pentecostal leader Harry Jackson, pastor of a Beltsville church; and evangelical activist Tony Perkins. Other signers include evangelical leader and Watergate-era figure Chuck Colson and academics Timothy George and Robert George.
The leaders are urging the public to sign the online document.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
“It almost appears like our government is setting itself up as an enemy of people of faith.”
YOU MEAN IT ISN’T?
More than a dozen organizations have joined BVM in the Reform CCHD Now Coalition to boycott the donation appeal scheduled in parishes nationwide on November 22. The Catholic network EWTN hosted Gasper and Michael Hichborn of American Life League on November 13. “How are these groups getting through the cracks?” Hichborn posed. “We’re asking for complete and total reform of their grant-writing process.” Gasper added, “In the meantime, we have a coupon that people can print out” to include in place of a donation in this weekend’s collection plates.
http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/culture/family/2373-catholic-bishops-fund-abortion
what strong language?
They call us nazi’s and murderers and everything else they can think of “civil disobediance” is “strong”??
Thanks for the link.
Does anyone have the link for the petition mentioned in this article? Thanks.
Our government, along with their leftist friends, seeks nothing less than our spiritual and moral destruction.
The comments following this article are just amazing. Calling for the prosecution of church leaders, the outlawing of religion, outright persecution. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. It’s not like we weren’t told it would happen, centuries ago.
Besides all the abortionists are rich as croesus ~ they can afford it. Nancy Pelosi will sell her restaurant chain to keep 'em in business ~ that's where her husband gets his "veal" anyway.
Here’s the link for the coupon for tomorrow’s “special collection”.
http://bellarmineveritasministry.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/collection.pdf
Rejoice in the freedom to confront evil. This country is fast approaching the day when believers are going to have to choose which master they will serve.
While I defintely fit the description of a “Conservative Christian”, I think that all like minded conservatives regardless of their religious affiliations that desire to live in a Constitutional Republic need to start practicing civil disobedience immediately if they haven’t already. I am not waiting on any armchair revolutionary to lead me, my declaration of intent to quietly refuse to follow laws deemed unconstitutional has already been posted. Some things are worth putting it all on the line for.
Well, I think everyone needs to be reminded that good, law-abiding citizens murdered Jews in Germany. It was all perfectly “legal”. The German court system said so.
I note with pleasure that my bishop, The Rt. Rev. Bishop Basil Essy, Bishop of Wichita and Mid-America is the ninth signatory, and the first Orthodox signatory of the declaration, and that my old parish priest, now the Chancellor of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary also signed.
That’s great.
Do you have a link to the petition so we at FR and beyond can distribute? Thanks.
Can you tell that I’m more than a little pissed? I know this much, if someone like me is pissed, there are millions upon millions out there just like me or more so.
I am not a Christian, but I support this effort 100%.
I think it has been going on for a very long time.
Yes, I agree. It has become increasingly obvious to me that is the case. It is very sad and very dangerous for our country. Imho, the ramifications cannot be overstated.
There is also a form for folks to add their (digital) signatures linked from the site.
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