A coalition of approximately 150 religious leaders have signed and released a document called the Manhattan Declaration. Reports say the document is aimed at the Obama Administration. The document simply cites the trials and tribulations religion has faced throughout history and declares that a religious people will not tolerate religious persecution. It has been an ongoing fight but the current administration just happens to be overstepping the boundaries.
Thanksgiving was a good day to reflect on this because the first settlers came to America to escape that very thing. Christian, Catholic, and Orthodox leaders came together to sign this declaration in light of what lies ahead and what has been happening here in America today.
Citizens are being threatened with jail for not paying taxes that go towards abortion and against their religious beliefs. The Constitution of the United States clearly protects religious beliefs so why would anyone not wishing to participate be threatened? Harry Reid once said that taxes were voluntary. Are they? It would seem to most that civil disobedience is an American tradition. Did the founders not rebel?
"We certainly hope it doesn't come to that," said George, who told The Washington Times that he has represented a West Virginia resident who has refused to pay a portion of her state income tax that funds abortions. "However, we see case after case of challenges to religious liberty," such as compelling pharmacists to carry abortifacient drugs or healthcare workers to assist in abortions, he said.
"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."
“While the whole scope of Christian moral concern, including a special concern for the poor and vulnerable, claims our attention, we are especially troubled that in our nation today the lives of the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly are severely threatened; that the institution of marriage, already buffeted by promiscuity, infidelity and divorce, is in jeopardy of being redefined to accommodate fashionable ideologies; that freedom of religion and the rights of conscience are gravely jeopardized by those who would use the instruments of coercion to compel persons of faith to compromise their deepest convictions.”
”Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense. In this declaration we affirm: 1) the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of every human being as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, possessing inherent rights of equal dignity and life; 2) marriage as a conjugal union of man and woman, ordained by God from the creation, and historically understood by believers and non-believers alike, to be the most basic institution in society and; 3) religious liberty, which is grounded in the character of God, the example of Christ, and the inherent freedom and dignity of human beings created in the divine image.”
The leaders cite many statutory and federal laws would force them to go against their religious beliefs and they simply will not do it anymore.
Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, told Newsweek the point of the Declaration is really to avoid mistakes of the past, such as when religious leaders did not stand up early enough against no-fault divorce, which he says, led directly to the breakup of families and high divorce rates.
“I’m a former police officer, and I have hard time with civil disobedience, but if it comes to the point where our religious liberty is at risk, I’d not only participate but would encourage people to resist.”
The leaders of this coalition are urging other citizens to sign this declaration and stand with them in defense of not only religion but the Constitution itself.
Comments
That is one thing I do like about this story is that the writer said: "Abstention for those who choose not to participate in certain practices." The problem is political conventions and if a particular party gains the majority in elections that somehow their charters and admendments therein somehow tend to supersede establish substantial rights as well as superseding the great Writ. If a party who share Catholic precepts gets the majority why should they force others to behave the same? Why can't they just settle that they have the right to engage in certain practices and behaviors for themselves. This is the problem I have.
The writer here is trying to say that this kind of breaking of the law is and "american tradition, did the founding fathers not rebel?" The founding fathers did not rebel against Democracy Sir, they rebelled against Kings and Tyrants, which is what this call to action will create. We got the Churches off our backs once, and now we dont even visit the buildings because of the Shame they contain. This Call will do nothing but excited the fringe.
Ah democracy.....we were given a republic by the founders not a democracy. "A republic if you can keep it"- Benjamin Franklin. This was Ben's answer to a woman who asked him what they had given us. The founders called a democracy Two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner.
Jesus never advocated lawlessness.
Lawlessness is what we have in the jurisdiction of D.C.
come out of her My people!
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