BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1920-07.3
A resolution on Religious Liberty, drawn up by Dr. Clifford, President Mullins and Dr. Truett, was passed in the following form:—
“It is the sense of this body that in this period of reconstruction and readjustment in the civil and religious life of the nations of the world, following the world-war, it is of the highest importance that full religious liberty should be granted to all peoples who do not now enjoy it. We urge this in view of the long and tragic struggles of many people of the earth for the privilege of worshipping God according to the dictates of their own consciences; in view of the present opportunity in the enactment of new constitutions and new laws in various nations; and most of all in view of the inalienable and God-given right of every human being to the free exercise of his mind and conscience in all matters of religion.
“Baptists throughout the ages contended for soul freedom. This is to be sharply distinguished from religious toleration, which is merely a concession by one group of men to others. Religious liberty places all men on exactly the same basis before God and in relation to human governments. We therefore call upon the governments of the world to delay no longer in enacting into law this priceless human right.”
Keywords
BWA; Conscience; Religious Liberty; Soul Freedom.
Citations
Original Source Bibliography: Baptist World Alliance: Minutes of Executive Committee, and Other Representative Baptists, Held at the Baptist Church House, Southampton Row, London, W.C. 1., From 19th to 23rd July, 1920. London: Baptist World Alliance, 1920.
Original Source Footnote/Endnote: Baptist World Alliance: Minutes of Executive Committee, and Other Representative Baptists, Held at the Baptist Church House, Southampton Row, London, W.C. 1., From 19th to 23rd July, 1920 (London: Baptist World Alliance, 1920), pp. 10-11.
Online Document Full Citation: BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1920-07.3 Religious Liberty and Soul Freedom; https://baptistworld.org/resolutions.
In-text Online Document Citation: (BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1920-07.3).