Evangelical leaders have issued a statement on religious freedom,
affirming that right for all persons and
outlining their commitment to share the gospel with “biblical love.”
Evangelical leaders have issued a statement on religious
freedom, affirming that right for all persons and
outlining their commitment to share the gospel with “biblical love.”
The Chicago Declaration of Religious Freedom was
initiated by Southern Baptist leaders in light of recent criticism about evangelistic
efforts. It has been endorsed by several dozen evangelical leaders.
The declaration notes that freedom to share ones
religious beliefs is a basic liberty. “Yet confusion has arisen over the
efforts of some Christian believers, ministries, and denominations to make Christ
known to members of other faith communities,” the statement adds. “Some
contend that these efforts undermine a peaceful, pluralistic society and may
lead to intolerance, bigotry, and even violence.
“As followers of Jesus Christ representing numerous
denominations and religious organizations, we affirm that:
“Only a society that permits free discourse
within the robust marketplace of ideas envisioned by Americas founders
can safeguard the true liberty, freedom, and human dignity we all pursue. Misguided
or false notions of pluralism must not be allowed to jeopardize anyones
constitutional right to evangelize or promote ones faith.”
The document was drafted by a group of Christian
scholars, theologians and church leaders at the invitation of Southern Baptist
North American Mission Board President Robert Reccord and Southern Baptist Ethics
and Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land.
It is called the Chicago Declaration because most
of the planning and writing meetings were held in Chicago. The document has
21 original signers and has been endorsed by more than 60 additional evangelical
leaders.
The initiative was undertaken in light of criticism
for recent Southern Baptist evangelistic endeavors, including the preparation
of prayer guides focusing on other faiths and efforts to evangelize specific
cities.
Some critics have charged that such efforts engender
hate crimes and are signs of Southern Baptist bigotry.
“The noose is tightening around the neck of
religious liberty,” Reccord noted. “Society seems tolerant of most
everything except the freedom to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus
Christ and the reality that he alone is the only way to a personal relationship
with God. …
“If religious people do not strive to protect
the freedom to express their faith in public places, the inevitable result will
be that religion will be privatized,” Reccord emphasized. “If that
happens, the response will be, You can have your religion as long as you
keep it to yourself. Thats not what Christians are commanded to
do.”
Land said he is hopeful the document “will silence
the inflammatory and inaccurate accusations of intolerance and bigotry against
Southern Baptist evangelism efforts.”
SBC President Paige Patterson added, “The fact
some groups have even alleged the possible association of hate crimes with evangelism
has made this declaration necessary.”
The Chicago Declaration is divided into four parts.
The Great Freedom: Religious Liberty
In this section, leaders affirm that the freedom
to worship God without government coercion and to exercise freedom of religious
conscience “is fundamental to any serious notion of human rights and the
dignity of humankind.”
With those freedoms threatened in many countries,
it is essential for the United States to remain “a model nation where citizens
affirm without hesitation the rights of others to hold beliefs or convictions
that differ from their own, …” the evangelical leaders declare in the
statement.
“Religious liberty is fundamental to human dignity
and moral integrity, whatever ones religion or lack thereof. Each person
has the right to hold his or her beliefs and also to express them to others,
either publicly or in private. As Christians, we stand in solidarity with our
fellow believers around the world who are imprisoned, tortured, and killed for
their faith, and we pledge to pray and work for religious liberty for everyone,
everywhere.”
The Great Commission: Christian Witness
Jesus Christ has commissioned his followers to proclaim
the gospel throughout the world and to make disciples from all nations, the
Chicago document declares.
“Christians are commanded to share the Gospel
of Jesus Christ with others, even when they are censored or suppressed for doing
so, …” the statement notes. “As Christians, we have the weighty
responsibility and joyful privilege of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with
others. We believe Christs Gospel is the best news any person can ever
hear.”
The Great Command: To Love God and
Neighbor
Christians are called to love God with all their
hearts, souls, minds, and strength and to love neighbors as themselves,
the evangelical leaders emphasize.
“This love must include respect for our neighbors
dignity, worth, and liberty of conscience,” their statement notes. “For
us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others is not merely an act of
obedience but also an act of love. It is also an act of humility, as Christians
know they need Christs mercy as much as anyone else.
“In this light, … we pledge to respect the
value, dignity, and human rights of all with whom we speak. … We reject the
use of coercive techniques, dishonest appeals, or any form of deception in our
evangelistic outreach.”
The leaders acknowledge some Christians have failed
to show proper respect for others and betrayed the ideal of religious freedom.
They stress the need for the gospel to be ratified “by lives of biblical
love and compassion.”
Commitment to Evangelism and Religious
Freedom
“We pledge to defend the rights of others to
hold their own religious convictions, to challenge our beliefs, and to attract
converts to their religious faiths,” the evangelical document concludes.
“We commit ourselves afresh to obey the Great
Commission, to love our neighbors, and to protect the rights of all. As followers
of Jesus Christ, we expect to be held accountable for the principles and commitments
set forth in this declaration. May God help us to be faithful in our witness.”
Original signers include Bill Bright of Campus Crusade
for Christ; Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship; Fred Luter, pastor at Franklin
Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans; Richard Mouw of Fuller Theological Seminary;
David Neff of Christianity Today; Janet Parshall of the Family Research Council;
Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice; Joe Stowell of Moody
Bible Institute; and John Woodbridge of Trinity Evangelical Seminary.
The complete declaration can be viewed via the Internet
at www.christianityonline.com/ct/religiousfreedom.
(BP)