56. Statements having been made by Drs. Franklin and Rushbrooke as to the position in Russia; agreed that Dr. Rushbrooke be instructed to prepare a resolution expressing support of his protest on the subject of the Russian Government’s attitude on the question of religious teaching of children. This resolution was formulated as follows:—
Representations regarding the advisability of a change of date for the next World Congress were considered. Extensive correspondence from the United States, South America, Germany and other countries in Europe, was submitted by the Secretaries. The President added a brief report respecting representations that had reached himself.
(a) Alderman Herbert Marnham. The death of Mr. Herbert Marnham, a member of this Executive
Committee from the founding of the Alliance and for many years its Eastern Treasurer, was referred to in
feeling terms, and the ex-President, at the request of the members, drew up a resolution which was
adopted in the following terms:—
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-7, 2017:
AFFIRMS freedom of religion and belief as a core value borne out in Baptist history and opposes all forms of discrimination based on faith or religion;
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-7, 2017:
REAFFIRMS our historic Baptist commitment to religious freedom as a gift of God to all people, regardless of denomination or religion; and that this same commitment is enshrined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, to which the Russian Federation is a signatory;
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Amman, Jordan, July 5-12, 1987, expresses its joy at the forthcoming celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of Christianity in Russia in 1988 and gives God thanks for the contribution of Russian Christians to the world church.
COMMENDS the leadership of USA President George W. Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas as well as the roles of the USA, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia in putting forth “The Road Map to Peace” that provides an opportune moment for all parties involved in the Middle East conflict;
Recognizing that the world is far from achieving peace and justice and that vast sums are spent on armaments while much of the world goes hungry or suffers from lack of education and medical care,
We affirm that we stand for peace and reconciliation among all nations.
The members of this Sixth Baptist World Congress, meeting in Atlanta, Ga., record their sorrow that it has been impossible for any representatives from the U. S. S. R. to participate in their assembly. They would desire, if it is possible to reach them, to assure the Baptists in those Republics of the prayerful and continuous sympathy of their fellow-believers throughout the World.
“This Congress hears with deep concern of the conditions of want and starvation in Soviet Russia which have already caused millions of deaths, and are likely, unless help can be given, to cost yet more millions of lives in the coming winter. It would welcome the appointment of an international non-political Commission to ascertain the extent of the need and to devise means of relief.”