Testing of Nuclear Weapons

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BWA General Council Resolution 1977.5

WHEREAS the Baptist World Congress, held in Tokyo in 1970, called for International “agreements for the limitation of both offensive and defensive strategic weapons” and for “immediate agreements to suspend the further deployment of all offensive and defensive nuclear strategic weapons systems, subject to national verification or such other measures of observation and inspection as may be appropriate,” and

WHEREAS the Baptist World Congress, held at Stockholm in 1975, expressed encouragement in noting the conferences on arms limitations, and called “upon governments to abandon the evil acceleration of the fantastically costly armaments race,” and

WHEREAS the Congress in 1970 also expressed its concern for world ecology,

BE IT RESOLVED

(1) That the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance express its support for the prompt negotiation and ratification of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty, for at least an experimental period of four years; or, if such a comprehensive treaty is not agreed upon quickly, we support a moratorium on nuclear weapons testing for at least four years, during which time more efforts can be made at working out a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty;

(2) That, pending the completion of such a treaty, we urge all nations, possessing nuclear capability, to restrain voluntarily from nuclear weapons testing, so long as others exercise the same restraint.

Citations

Original Source Bibliography: Denny, Robert S., editor. Baptist World Alliance 1977 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory. Washington, DC: Baptist World Alliance, 1977.

Original Source Footnote/Endnote: Robert S. Denny, ed., Baptist World Alliance 1977 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory (Washington, DC: Baptist World Alliance, 1977), p. 46.

Online Document Full Citation: BWA General Council Resolution 1977.5 Testing of Nuclear Weapons; https://baptistworld.org/resolutions.

In-text Online Document Citation: (BWA General Council Resolution 1977.5).

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.