Conservatives Resubmit Anti-Gay Marriage Manhattan Declaration App
A Christian conservative group on Thursday announced it had resubmitted
to the iTunes store a modified app declared “offensive” by Apple.
to the iTunes store a modified app declared “offensive” by Apple.
The Manhattan Declaration app is a mobile version of the manifesto unveiled
last year in New York by religious leaders opposed to gay marriage.
last year in New York by religious leaders opposed to gay marriage.
Apple removed the app from its iTunes store because “it violates our
developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people.”
developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people.”
The free app included the 4,700 word document, which users were asked to electronically sign, and a four-question survey. One question asked, “Do you support same-sex relationships?” Users who answered “yes” were told that
they had replied incorrectly.
they had replied incorrectly.
The group's new version deletes the quiz.
“In reading some of the blogs and press on the Manhattan Declaration app,
we understand that one element of the app, the poll, seemed particularly offensive to those who asked for the app's removal,” the group's Chuck
Colson said in a statement.
we understand that one element of the app, the poll, seemed particularly offensive to those who asked for the app's removal,” the group's Chuck
Colson said in a statement.
“As a sign of goodwill, we have removed the poll and have resubmitted
the app without it,” Colson added.
the app without it,” Colson added.
The app was deleted from the digital store after more than 7,000 people
signed a Change.org petition urging Apple to remove it.
signed a Change.org petition urging Apple to remove it.
But the Christian group behind the app responded with its own online
petition. More than 43,000 people signed onto the petition asking Apple
to restore the Manhattan Declaration app, the group said.
petition. More than 43,000 people signed onto the petition asking Apple
to restore the Manhattan Declaration app, the group said.
“Despite the claims of some, the Declaration does not promote hate or homophobia. It is not anti-gay. Rather, it proclaims that all human beings
are loved by God and are worthy of respect,” the petition reads.
are loved by God and are worthy of respect,” the petition reads.
Supporters of the document include Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council (FRC), a group recently labeled a hate group by the
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), James Dobson, founder of the
anti-gay Christian-based Focus on the Family, and Bishop Harry R.
Jackson, Jr., the District of Columbia's most visible opponent of its
gay marriage law.
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), James Dobson, founder of the
anti-gay Christian-based Focus on the Family, and Bishop Harry R.
Jackson, Jr., the District of Columbia's most visible opponent of its
gay marriage law.
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