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Advocate for a Strong Office of 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 imprisonment, to brutal torture, to the death penalty. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recognizes 95 countries that have enforced blasphemy laws, with as many as 13 countries enforcing the death penalty. Blasphemy laws seek to limit or criminalize speech that counters state-sanctioned religious beliefs and often 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 advocate for those persecuted for their faith by partnering with 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. We are unwavering in our defense of vulnerable and penalized individuals worldwide and will contend for our persecuted fellow believers in Christ.
From the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, to rising tensions in the Middle East, to the abhorrent treatment of religious people in China, it is clear that the United States needs a strong, robust, Office of International Religious Freedom within the State Department. The IRF Office needs passionate and vocal staff advocates for religious freedom to serve in its ranks, informing the administration on issues of religious liberty worldwide.
The ERLC calls upon the administration to prioritize staffing and support the Office of International Religious Freedom, thereby allowing the State Department to do the vital global work of promoting religious liberty, defending human dignity, and fostering global stability. Through such a commitment, we will be better equipped to fulfill the Great Commission and win souls for the Kingdom of Heaven.
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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