To all Manhattan Declaration signers:
The decision by Attorney General Holder not to defend the Defense of Marriage Act raises very grave questions.
Justifying his position, he says that in the congressional debate there were "numerous expressions reflecting moral disapproval of gays and lesbians and their intimate family relationships." He went on to describe this as "animus" (defined by Webster as vehement enmity, hatred, ill will)-violating the Equal Protection Clause.
"Animus" to defend a moral position based on 2,000 years of classical and Christian teaching rooted in reason and scripture?
Holder has embraced the position of Federal Judge Vaughn Walker in California that opposing so-called gay marriage can be "harmful to gays and lesbians." But this is like claiming that opposition to polygamy is harmful to polygamists or that laws defining marriage as the union of two people harm those who prefer to live in what are called sexual "triads" or "quadrads." Our historic marriage laws harm nobody--they serve husbands, wives, children, and the common good of society.
If the expression of our deepest convictions is treated as animus, our religious liberty is in peril. We cannot fail to speak the truth even if it is labeled hate speech.
This is exactly why we wrote the Manhattan Declaration, pledging that we would under no circumstances render to Caesar what belongs to God.
Though the circumstances are not comparable, the issue is the same one Dietrich Bonhoeffer faced. Bonhoeffer's example is well known. But another compelling illustration is Martin Niemoller. Timothy George has given a brilliant, brief meditation on Niemoller, who had the courage to defy Hitler to his face. We strongly urge that you view this by CLICKING HERE or the video box below. It is an extremely powerful story--and sad to say, increasingly timely.
The ACLU has already hailed Holder's decision as "the tipping point in the gay rights movement." Sadly, that may well be the case unless we speak out loudly and quickly.
Please forward this email to your friends asking them to sign the Manhattan Declaration. It's never been more important that we take a strong and united stand.
Chuck Colson, The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview
Dr. Robert George, Princeton University
