A group of prominent Christians say they expect hundreds more people to sign up to a document declaring the importance of issues such as religious freedom, marriage and the sanctity of human life in the lead up to next month’s federal election.
Called the Canberra Declaration, the document was formally launched at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday. Among the more than 20 Christian leaders involved in drafting the document were Dr Graham McLennan, convenor of the National Alliance of Christian Leaders, Bill Muehlenberg, founder of ethics and apologetics ministry CultureWatch, Dr Lachlan Dunjey, of Morality in Medicine, and Ros Phillips, of FamilyVoice Australia.
Release of the document follows that of the Westminster Declaration – released in the UK ahead of the British election earlier this year – and the Manhattan Declaration – released in the US in late 2009.
The two page declaration says that “as Australian citizens we continue to declare that we too put our trust in Almighty God” and that the many “freedoms, advantages, opportunities, values and liberties” which characterise life in the Western world “owe much to the growth of Christianity”.
Addressing the issue of religious freedom, the document says that in Australia today, the freedom of conscience, the freedom to speak publicly about one’s faith and beliefs and the right to practice the religion of one’s choice are being restricted by laws relating to anti-discrimination, hate crimes and religious and sexual vilification which, “although appearing positive on the first reading, have the potential to lead to unintended and unacceptable consequences”.
The document affirms the “importance and social utility” of marriage being between a man and a woman and the families surrounding them, saying that while “no other arrangement has improved upon the benefits of marriage”, the institution is being undermined “to the detriment of children, individuals and society itself”.
Elsewhere the document refers to an “undermining” of the sanctity of human life through abortion, euthanasia and some new reproductive technologies. Those who sign say they will “support, protect and be advocates” for the vulnerable and dependent and insist on the right of all people to have “protection from conception to natural death”.
“We will not comply with any directive that compels us to participate in or facilitate abortion, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide, euthanasia, or any other act that involves the intentional taking of innocent human life”.
The declaration warns that the eroding of the “foundations” of religious freedom, marriage and family and sacredness of human life is undertaken “at our peril” and calls on all “like-minded” citizens to support and sign it.
The website – where the document can be signed and where resources included a Bible study guide can be downloaded – is maintained by the Australian Christian Values Institute and Australian Heart Ministries.
For the full text of the Canberra Declaration, see www.canberradeclaration.org.au.
