BWA Resolutions on Religious Freedom T he Baptist World Alliance was


formed in 1905 and, from the outset, advocated for human rights and, in


particular, religious freedom. A review of resolutions passed by the BWA over the past 30 years provides testimony of this longstanding commitment


liberty, both in general terms and in specific instances.


“that there have been more Christian martyrs in this century (20th


In 1985, the BWA noted with horror century) than


in any previous one.” Many Christians, it observed, “face severe restrictions and harassment


which prevent freedom of


worship and witness,” and that “some endure long, harsh imprisonment, exile and torture for their faith.” Baptists were urged “to become more informed about the circumstances of other believers,” to pray, and “act in every way possible” for those Christians who suffer persecution. A 1994 resolution “views with alarm the denial of the right of religious liberty to minority groups in countries such as Bulgaria, Albania, Iran, China, Indonesia and Egypt” and called upon “member bodies to explore every opportunity to secure religious liberty for all.” In


2001, the BWA lamented that


“religiously motivated conflict between peoples of different faiths is escalating around the world,” and noted “the pain and suffering of Baptists and other individuals amidst situations of religiously motivated conflicts.” In addition to urging prayer for these victims, Baptists were encouraged to put in place reconciliation initiatives and to “reach out to people of all faiths in humanitarian


fashion… recognizing


that people of all faiths have the right to religious liberty and other freedoms.” The BWA saw the need to raise the


matter of religious freedom again in 2003 when it affirmed that “one of the basic rights of each human being is the right to worship openly and freely according to the dictates of one’s own heart.” The BWA regretted that “this basic right is denied in many countries and areas of the world where governmental


entrenched religious hierarchies, mob rule and


other forces persecute


authorities, individuals


who seek to exercise their basic rights.” 16 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE


to religious


The BWA encouraged those churches that “enjoy religious freedom to stand with the churches of countries where religious freedom is denied or limited” and to call the attention of these countries’ governments and the international community “to the plight of persecuted churches.” The most recent resolution on religious


freedom was in 2011 in which the BWA expressed its belief that “every individual should have the right to worship without government interference


or restriction”


and that “each individual should have the freedom to join like-minded groups to express his/her religious beliefs.” The international Baptist organization lauded each country in the world “that guarantees its


citizens and others the freedom to


worship, to gather peacefully with others of like belief, and to educate themselves in their religious beliefs without interference or restriction.” There were instances in which the


BWA named specific countries as serious violators of religious freedom. A 1987 resolution, which grew out of a 1986 BWA visit to China, invited its member organizations “to use every opportunity open to them to advocate and defend the proper freedom and human rights of religious and racial minorities so that multi- racial and multi-religious communities can live in harmony and all may contribute positively to the good of their society.” In that same resolution, informed by


a meeting in Amman, Jordan, the BWA expressed “our appreciation of the way in


which the Hashemite kingdom of


Jordan practices religious toleration, thus enabling members of different religions to enjoy peaceful co-existence” and offered a prayer that Jordan “may be an instrument of just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”


In 2009, the BWA expressed “deep


concern over the lack of religious freedom in Azerbaijan” through the passage of a new religion law that limited religious freedom. It requested the country’s government to submit the law to


the


Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe “for evaluation in order to bring the law into conformity with international standards.”


1905 1985 1987 1994 2001 2003 2009 2011


From the outset the BWA advocated for human rights, in particular religious freedom


Noted that there are more Christian martyrs in the 20th century than in any previous one


BWA members were invited to advocate and defend the freedom and human rights of religious and racial minorities


BWA viewed with alarm the denial of the right of religious liberty to minority groups


Lamented escalation of


religiously motivated conflict & encouraged reconciliation initiatives


Affirmed the right to worship openly and freely & encouraged churches to call attention to the plight of persecuted churches


Expressed concern over


the lack of religious freedom in Azerbaijan & requested evaluation


Expressed its belief that every individual should have the right to worship without government interference or restriction


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