On 20 November 2009 a coalition of 150 leading representatives of Orthodox, Roman Catholic and evangelical traditions released a joint statement – the Manhattan Declaration. Amongst the evangelical signatories were several high-profile names, including Chuck Colson, Tim Keller, Albert Mohler and Joni Eareckson Tada.
The declaration is the expression of concern over the secularisation of American society. Evangelical Christians on this side of the Atlantic will readily share that sense of concern. Here is an official summary of the 4,700-word document:
‘Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.
‘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. These truths are: (1) the sanctity of human life; (2) the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife; and (3) the rights of conscience and religious liberty.
