Apple Computer has rejected an iPhone/iPad “app” that had been resubmitted by signers of the Manhattan Declaration, further frustrating Christian leaders who fear the controversy signals a growing societal intolerance of orthodox Christianity.

Conservative leaders are now calling the company’s policy “appalling” and suggesting it reflects hostility toward Christian beliefs.

At issue is an iPhone/iPad software program containing the text of the Manhattan Declaration, a 4,700-word document that includes basic Christian teachings and Bible verses on marriage, life and religious liberty.

Key leaders such as Charles Colson, James Dobson, Richard Land, R. Albert Mohler Jr. and Timothy Dolan signed the document in 2009, and more than 480,000 people subsequently signed it online. It received widespread media coverage. Among its stances, the document opposes “gay marriage,” abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

Apple pulled the free app from its online store in November, saying it “violates our developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people.”

That led Manhattan Declaration officials to resubmit a tweaked version of the app in early December, leaving the text of the document untouched but removing a four-question survey that contained such questions as “do you support same-sex relationships?” and “do you support the right of choice regarding abortion?” Some bloggers had called the questions objectionable.

The Manhattan Declaration website posted a statement Dec. 23 saying Apple had rejected the tweaked app.

Michael Foust is associate editor of Baptist Press. To read or sign the Manhattan Declaration, visit Manhattan Declaration.org.

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