Manhattan Declaration…encourages the Church to take a stand on three vital issues: The sanctity of life, the dignity of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and religious liberty

Two opposing Christian declarations are making the rounds on the Internet – one standing for the traditional marriage and the other calling on Presbyterian pastors to reject the “one-man, one-woman” definition in the Presbyterian Church (USA) constitution and confessions.

The Manhattan Declaration is a non-partisan statement of conscience in defense of human life, traditional marriage and religious freedom.

The 4,700-word Manhattan Declaration on Christian Conscience encourages the Church to take a stand on three vital issues: The sanctity of life, the dignity of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and religious liberty. Drafted by Dr. Robert George, Dr. Timothy George and Chuck Colson, the document calls on Christians to adhere to their convictions and inform civil authorities that they will not abandon their consciences…

In another declaration – sponsored by a PCUSA pastor Brian Merritt of the Washington D.C. area – Presbyterian ministers, elders and deacons are asked to support same-sex marriage.

Bearing a similar name, the Minneapolis Declaration of Conscience was launched earlier this week via online petition. Unlike the Manhattan Declaration – which is non-denominational – the Minneapolis Declaration appears specific to PCUSA.

The eight-point declaration describes the traditional, man-and-woman definition of marriage as restrictive and says that it hinders pastoral care duties. It concludes that signers cannot abide by “overly restrictive ecclesial/liturgical definitions” of marriage.