The Baptist World General Council, meeting in the Caribbean:
1. Has observed with profound concern and apprehension the continuing suffering and oppression of many in El Salvador;
2. Expresses its utmost sympathy with all those who are caught up in the present conflict.
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance wishes to state its concern and position regarding multiple but interrelated crises in the Near and Middle East in the following expressions:
1. We express our profound concern regarding the blatant disregard for human rights, civil liberties and national self-determination.
We are encouraged by preparations now being made for another Special Assembly of the U.N. General Assembly on the subject of disarmament and recognize the crucial importance of this subject for the future of mankind.
BWA General Council Resolution 1981.6 The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance: Expresses appreciation for the initiative taken by the Church of Sweden (Lutheran) and its Archbishop in calling a Conference on Peace and Disarmament in Sweden in March 1982,...
Recognizing the extreme importance of an effective beginning for the General Council and Study Commissions for the 1981-85 quinquennium, we express our deep appreciation:
1. To the Baptists of Puerto Rico and especially to the Primera Iglesia Bautista de Carolina for their warm greetings and gracious hospitality.
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Nairobi, Kenya:
1. Aware of the constant struggle for physical survival in this continent as well as in the world, the present conditions in the Sahel being one tragic example, would there draw attention to the statement quoted in the report of the BWAid Committee as follows…”
Ever since the Baptist World Congress in Atlanta in 1939 the Baptist World Alliance has spoken out with regularity on behalf of religious freedom for all persons, and in more recent years on behalf of civil liberties generally.
We hold the conviction that our ministry to people should be holistic, inclusive of the all important spiritual, and also of the physical and moral.
We acknowledge with joy the work of Baptist churches, associations, unions and mission bodies in ministries of health and education and would strongly encourage bold new ventures in poverty areas.
We express our grave disappointment over the breaches of international peace which have occurred in the past twelve months, especially but not limited to, the situation in the Falkland Islands-Islas Malvinas, and in Lebanon, Somalia, El Salvador and Afghanistan, among others.
We reiterate the conviction expressed by every Baptist World Congress form 1970 to the present, that the levels of fighting forces and armaments of the nations must be reduced. The arms race between the super- powers and the increased military readiness of all nations constitute a danger to peace and are an economic and social waste.