South Africa

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BWA General Council Resolution 1986.10

The BWA General Council, meeting in Singapore, July 1986:

  1. reaffirms the 1985 Congress resolution concerning South Africa and is convinced that the apartheid system is an affront to the Christian understanding of life and must be declared a sin against God, for Christians, a heresy;
  2. expresses its abhorrence at the imposition of a State of Emergency and pleads for the sake of justice and peace that it be terminated immediately;
  3. expresses its solidarity with the leaders and others in that country who are struggling for a just social order through a multi-racial government based on majority rule, and especially with those who are suffering in that struggle;
  4. calls for the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela, the recognition of the African National Congress as a negotiating body, the return of political exiles and the imposition of economic sanctions;
  5. commends the Baptist Union of South Africa for sending a memorandum to the State President and seeking a meeting with him, and encourages it in its further struggle against apartheid;
  6. finally notes that the BWA Human Rights Commission commends for further study and other action the booklet “Challenge to the Church”, the Kairos Document published by a group of 150 South African theologians.

Citations

Original Source Bibliography: Claas, Gerhard, editor. Baptist World Alliance 1986 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory. McLean, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 1986.

Original Source Footnote/Endnote: Gerhard Claas, ed., Baptist World Alliance 1986 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory (McLean, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 1986), p. 54.

Online Document Full Citation: BWA General Council Resolution 1986.10 South Africa; https://baptistworld.org/resolutions.

In-text Online Document Citation: (BWA General Council Resolution 1986.10).

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.