The Nazareth Declaration

On November 20, 2009, to considerable media fanfare, a group of 140 senior Christian leaders issued 'The Manhattan Declaration.' In brief, it calls for Christians to defend three "fundamental truths about justice and the common good":

1. the sanctity of human life,
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife, and
3. the right of evangelicals to protest the first two items without recrimination.

It is germane also to note that in media quotes, as in various other interactions over the last several years, some of the prime movers this declaration intend it as a corrective for the rising generation of evangelicals. These are the core concerns for our time, the Declaration maintains, concerned that the recent broadening of social, economic, and political engagement will lead to a dilution of efforts over these three issues.

In matters of social practice, economic policy, and political engagement