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Support protections for international religious freedom
Southern Baptists have long recognized the importance of religious liberty for all people. Stretching back generations, Southern Baptists have a rich heritage of affirming the importance of and fighting to maintain protections for religious liberty for people of all faiths. The Baptist Faith & Message states “a free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.”
Persecution varies dramatically from country to country, ranging from fines to the death penalty. As of 2024, the death penalty is a fatal consequence in eight countries due to blasphemy laws. These laws seek to limit or criminalize speech that counters state-sanctioned religious beliefs and prevent conversion from one religion to another.
As Southern Baptists, we desire to further the work of the Great Commission and see lives transformed by the gospel. Thus, the ERLC will continue working to repeal blasphemy and apostasy laws and champion the right of all people to worship without fear of oppression and persecution. We do this by partnering with diverse coalitions who are committed to religious liberty in order to advocate for international religious freedom, fight against persecution, and raise awareness of persecuted religious minorities in Congress. Furthermore, we are unwavering in our defense of vulnerable and penalized individuals worldwide and will contend for our persecuted fellow believers in Christ.
SBC Actions
Southern Baptists spoke to international religious freedom at the 2024 annual meeting through the Resolution On Defending Religious Liberty and at the 1997 annual meeting through the Resolution On Religious Persecution.
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