August 10, 2020 | 1980 Congress Resolutions, Resolutions, World Congress Resolutions
BWA World Congress Resolution 1985.5
Gathered in Los Angeles for the 15th Baptist World Congress in July 1985, we who represent Baptists from about 100 countries, wish to reaffirm our adherence to the cherished principle of religious liberty.
We see it being threatened today by religious persecution in many parts of the world.
We note with sorrow that there have been more Christian martyrs in this century than in any previous one; that many fellow believers face severe restrictions and harassment which prevent freedom of worship and witness; that some endure long, harsh imprisonment, exile and torture for their faith.
We are convinced that this denies to many people the basic human right of religious liberty, and that the time is ripe once again to speak out against it in this year which marks the 10th anniversary of the Helsinki Agreement.
Rejoicing in “the glorious liberty of the children of God,” we urge all Baptists to become more informed about the circumstances of other believers and then to pray, speak and act in every way possible for the support and encouragement of the many thousands of Christians called upon to suffer to their faith in these days.
Citations
Original Source Bibliography: Kerstan, Reinhold J. And Burke, Ruby J., editors. Out of the Darkness Into the Light: Official Report of the Fifteenth Congress, Los Angeles, California, USA, July 2-7, 1985. McLean, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 1985.
Original Source Footnote/Endnote: Reinhold J. Kerstan and Ruby J. Burke, eds., Out of the Darkness Into the Light: Official Report of the Fifteenth Congress, Los Angeles, California, USA, July 2-7, 1985 (McLean, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 1985), pp. 220-221.
Online Document Full Citation: BWA World Congress Resolution 1985.5 Religious Liberty; https://o7e.4a3.myftpupload.com/resolutions.
In-text Online Document Citation: (BWA World Congress Resolution 1985.5).
August 10, 2020 | 1930 Congress Resolutions, Resolutions, World Congress Resolutions
BWA World Congress Resolution 1934.3
122. Dr. W. O. Lewis, European representative of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, moved the following resolution on behalf of the Resolutions Committee:
“This World Congress of Baptists representing sixty countries makes its strong protest against the increasingly severe repres-sion of religion in Russia. We express our deep sympathy with all those who are suffering for their faith, and especially with our Baptist brethren, many of whom are in exile or in prison, and we commend them and all others who, at great cost, are standing true to their convictions, to the help of our Churches, and to the blessing and deliverance of God.”
123. The Resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Citations
Original Source Bibliography: Rushbrooke, J. H., editor. Fifth Baptist World Congress: Berlin, August 4- 10, 1934. London: Baptist World Alliance, 1934.
Original Source Footnote/Endnote: J. H. Rushbrooke, ed., Fifth Baptist World Congress: Berlin, August 4-10, 1934 (London: Baptist World Alliance, 1934), pp. 13-14.
Online Document Full Citation: BWA World Congress Resolution 1934.3 Repression of Religion in Russia; https://o7e.4a3.myftpupload.com/resolutions.
In-text Online Document Citation: (BWA World Congress Resolution 1934.3)
August 8, 2020 | 2014 Resolutions, General Council Resolutions, Resolutions
BWA General Council Resolution 2014.2
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), meeting in Izmir, Turkey, July 9-11, 2014:
RECOGNIZES the very real dangers faced by many Christians in various parts of the world who experience intolerance and persecution from governments and authorities of different political, religious and ideological persuasions;
CONDEMNS the kidnapping of more than 200 young girls from the school of the Church of the Brethren in Chibok, Nigeria, by Boko Haram on April 14 of this year, which has been followed by further kidnappings and violence;
AFFIRMS its solidarity in sorrow and grief with fellow Christians in the Christ of the Church of the Brethren, pledging its prayers for the safety and release of the kidnapped students;
COMMENDS to BWA member bodies the use of the prayer resources the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria developed in response to the tragedy, that our prayer in unity with them may give expression to our mutual love in Christ;
CALLS UPON the governments and authorities in the region, including the African Union, to collaborate in the effort to secure the release the girls;
RESTATES its concern over targeted attacks and persecution against Christians as a minority community in North Africa and the Middle East as voiced in BWA Resolution 10 of 2013: “Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa.” Recent attacks include such kidnappings, the recent death penalty imposed in the Sudan on Miriam Ibrahim for her Christian faith; and the plight of some two to three thousand Christians in Eritrea who are currently imprisoned for their faith;
REMEMBERS the example of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna {Izmir) in the second century, who, in the face of persecution, regarded faithfulness to Christ as of more value than life itself;
PRAYS that the Holy Spirit may strengthen vulnerable Christians in faith and hope through the mercies and promises of Christ, the Lord of life eternal;
REAFFIRMS its abhorrence of violence in the name of religion and commends the efforts of all who work for peace between people of different faiths; and
PLEDGES its continued work for religious liberty for all persons regardless of nationality, religion, or status.
Citations
Original Source Bibliography: Callam, Neville, editor. Baptist World Alliance 2014 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory. Falls Church, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2014.
Original Source Footnote/Endnote: Neville Callam, ed., Baptist World Alliance 2014 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory (Falls Church, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2014), pp. 138- 139.
Online Document Full Citation: BWA General Council Resolution 2014.2 Christians at Risk of Persecution; https://o7e.4a3.myftpupload.com/resolutions.
In-text Online Document Citation: (BWA General Council Resolution 2014.2).
August 8, 2020 | 2012 Resolutions, General Council Resolutions, Resolutions
BWA General Council Resolution 2012.6
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Santiago, Chile July 2-7, 2012:
RECOGNIZES concern about the discriminatory bombing of places of worship and properties, slaughtering and killing of Nigerian people and the abuse of human rights in the name of religion;
OBSERVES that these horrendous acts of inhumanity in Nigeria have become a hindrance to the exercise of free worship and assembly;
REJECTS all forms of cruelty that cause sorrow, suffering, death, destruction and the abuse of all forms of human rights in Nigeria;
RE-AFFIRMS our commitment as Baptists to religious liberty for all;
CALLS for a peaceful ending of all violence and abuse of human rights in Nigeria, while encouraging our Baptist sisters and brothers to continue to seek ways to promote peace and respect for all persons in Nigeria;
APPEALS to the government of Nigeria at all levels to ensure safety and security for all people in the country;
URGES Baptists around the world to raise these concerns with their governments, religious leaders and persons of influence;
REQUESTS Baptist World Alliance member bodies to commit to relentless prayer for peace where there is violence in Nigeria.
Citations
Original Source Bibliography: Callam, Neville, editor. Baptist World Alliance 2012 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory. Falls Church, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2012.
Original Source Footnote/Endnote: Neville Callam, ed., Baptist World Alliance 2012 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory (Falls Church, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2012), p. 153.
Online Document Full Citation: BWA General Council Resolution 2012.6 Crisis in Nigeria; https://o7e.4a3.myftpupload.com/resolutions.
In-text Online Document Citation: (BWA General Council Resolution 2012.6).
