Human Rights and Social Justice

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BWA World Congress Resolution 2000.3

The Baptist World Alliance Congress meeting in Melbourne, January 5-9, 2000

REAFFIRMS our abiding conviction previously expressed on numerous occasions that human rights are God-given and that violations of human rights are violations of the laws of God;

LAMENTS that widespread acts of social and political subversion and repression continue to result in the deprivation of human rights including the displacement and death of countless persons in many nations, and further laments that persecution and martyrdom of Christian minorities continues to increase at an alarming rate in much of the world;

ENCOURAGES governments at every level to move swiftly and purposefully to affirm actively and to respect unconditionally the human rights of all persons including the right to worship God without fear of harassment or intrusion;

URGES Baptists individually and corporately to promote human rights and social justice in all things and circumstances as befits a people instructed by biblical exhortation to be “salt and light” in the world; and

APPLAUDS the achievements and commends the continuing efforts of the Baptist World Alliance and other agencies which champion the twin causes of human rights and social justice for oppressed persons throughout the world; and

RESOLVES to continually urge governments and citizens to seek sincerely to achieve peace with justice and to strive to eradicate social injustice and eliminate human rights violations wherever these deplorable and intolerable conditions exist.

BWA World Congress Resolution 2000.3 Human Rights and Social Justice

Citations

Original Source Bibliography: Ryan, Wendy E., editor. Jesus Christ Forever. Yes!: Official Report of the Eighteenth Baptist World Congress, Melbourne, Australia, January 5-9, 2000. McLean, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2000.

Original Source Footnote/Endnote: Wendy E. Ryan, ed., Jesus Christ Forever. Yes!: Official Report of the Eighteenth Baptist World Congress, Melbourne, Australia, January 5-9, 2000 (McLean, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2000), pp. 161-162.

Online Document Full Citation: BWA World Congress Resolution 2000.3 Human Rights and Social Justice; https://baptistworld.org/resolutions.

In-text Online Document Citation: (BWA World Congress Resolution 2000.3).

For more information about Baptist World Alliance resolutions, visit BaptistWorld.org/resolutions.

Since its formation in 1905, the Baptist World Alliance has networked the global Baptist family to impact the world for Christ with a commitment to strengthen worship, fellowship and unity; lead in mission and evangelism; respond to people in need through aid, relief, and community development; defend religious freedom, human rights, and justice; and advance theological reflection and leadership development.

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