The Manhattan Declaration

Much has been said already regarding the Manhattan Declaration, at least in my circles.  I'm not here to comment, then, on whether it's "too ecumenical," since Catholic, Orthodox, and evangelical "Christians" have all worked together to put it forth, and are imploring those they represent to sign the document.  Nor do I care to argue its three primary tenets, which are:

1. the sanctity of human life
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty

I take no issue with the Declaration, nor its signatories.  I heartily agree, in fact, with the stand it is espousing, and would likely sign it myself, if I felt that it would do any good.  Herein lies the problem, though, at least for me.  What, exactly, do statements such as this actually accomplish?  Anything?  Obviously, it's too early to tell.  Basing itself upon the pattern of resistance espoused by Dr. Martin Luther King, it certainly hearkens back to effective strategies, and so may very well prove to be one itself. 

Nevertheless, if all we do as concerned "Christians" is make public declarations and political stands, then I fear we have sorely "missed the boat" as to how Christ our Head would effect change.  I fear so often that we are known more for that which we oppose than for the positive and visible changes we are making in our own immediate context.

For example, can we really argue for the sanctity of human life, when our rate of birth is no higher than our pro-choice counterparts?  While we would never resort to abortion for an "accidental" pregnancy, don't we proactively work to avoid them with various contraceptives, some of which may actually even have abortive qualities?  

And, if we do take issue with abortive mothers, which we should, shouldn't we also be ready and willing to adopt these unwanted children into our own homes, as an expression of love and as a demonstration of our own adoption into God's family?

Certainly, there are those among us who are pursuing adoption, and are striving to be above reproach in their use of contraceptives.  They should be commended.  And there is definite allowance for ignorance on these matters, for sure. 

My point is this.  We've cried for decades about the moral degradation of our nation, and have worked politically to have our voice heard through means of the Religious Right, the Moral Majority, etc.  It hasn't worked.  Perhaps we would do well to get "back to the basics," and strive to be a "peculiar people," as "strangers in a foreign land" (1 Peter 2:9-12).  We are to look wholly/holy different from the world in which we live, and until we do, we are "spitting into the wind," I fear.