Baptist World Alliance

Baptist World Fifth Congress, Berlin (1934)

163. Professor A.T. Ohrn, Norway, moved the following Resolution on “Racialism”

“This Congress representing the world-wide, inter-racial fellowship of Baptists, rejoices to know that despite all differences of race, there is in Christ an all-embracing unity, so that in Him it can be claimed with deepest truth there is ‘neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all in all.’

“This Congress deplores and condemns as a violation of the law of God the Heavenly Father, all racial animosity, and every form of oppression or unfair discrimination toward the Jews, toward coloured people, or toward subject races in any part of the world.

“This Congress urges the promotion of Christian teaching concerning respect for human personality regardless of race, and as the surest means of advancing the true brotherhood of all people, urges the active propagation of the Gospel of Christ throughout the World.”

164. The Rev. C.E. Wilson, B.A., of England, seconded the Resolution.

165. The Resolution was carried unanimously.

Source

J. H. Rushbrooke, ed., Fifth Baptist World Congress: Berlin, August 4-10, 1934 (London: Baptist World Alliance, 1934), p. 17.

Baptist World Sixth Congress, Atlanta (1939)

(F) Racialism. The Sixth Baptist World Congress, assembled in Atlanta, Ga., is constrained to express the judgment of Baptist people in general on the question of race relationship. The members rejoice that the preparations for the present Congress have been carried through by a joint committee of the races, and in perfect harmony.

The Congress finds that the strong and unwavering convictions which govern the attitude and policy of the Baptist World Alliance are clearly and adequately expressed in the Resolution adopted by the Fifth World Congress, which met in Berlin in 1934. It therefore solemnly reaffirms what was then stated in the following terms:

Source

J. H. Rushbrooke, ed., Sixth Baptist World Congress Atlanta, GA July 22-28, 1939 (Atlanta, GA: The Baptist World Alliance, 1939), p. 15.

Baptist World Seventh Congress, Copenhagen (1947)

154. Resolution on Race Relations.

Race relations is one of the perplexing problems which the Christian Church must face in the world to-day. There are many conditions and attitudes which strain and impair human relations and cause great concern; but we cannot solve the problem unless we face it forthrightly as Christians.

We have tried to ignore, evade, and attempt by platitudes to solve this most grave problem. It cannot be solved in this way. We must insist in human relations and intercourse of all people that the Christian approach be made in the matter of race relations. Appreciation for the ideals, aspirations, and personalities of all races must be insisted upon by Christians.

Whereas one of the major factors in the maladjusted country, city, or state, is the improper approach to, and an illogical dealing with, the minority within their boundary; and whereas men have tried to bring about a wholesome social order by force, by bribery, and other similar plans, and failed; and whereas the basis for better race relations is dependent upon better understanding between all groups, and a desire to build a Christian order and equality for all of the children of men: therefore, be it resolved that un-Christian practices and abuses of people, such as lynchings, are extermination, economic and racial discrimination, unfair employment practices, and denial of political rights are contrary to the principles of Christianity.”

This resolution, which had been proposed by the Rev. Roland Smith, was moved and seconded and passed unanimously.

155. Resolution concerning the Jews.

“Aware of the unprecedented suffering through which the people of Israel have passed during recent years, millions of them being exterminated by the most inhuman means; aware also that these sufferings are not yet at an end, but that hundreds of thousands are still in concentration camps or wandering homeless from land to land; aware, further, that the poisonous propaganda and destructive designs of anti-Semitism are still at work in many lands: this Congress puts on record its sense of sorrow and shame that such conditions prevail.

It calls, first, upon Baptists throughout the world to manifest the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Himself a Child of Israel, and to do everything in their power to alleviate the sufferings of the Jews.

It calls, secondly, upon the nations of the world to open doors to the homeless and oppressed refugees, since there can be no abiding peace while this problem remains unsolved.

It calls, thirdly, upon Jewry everywhere to refrain from provocative acts and to restrain those among them who would resort to violence.

Further, this Congress would not be true to its convictions if it did not state its belief that the command of Jesus Christ to evangelise the world was intended to include the people of Israel.

The Congress, therefore, calls upon all Baptists to do their part in supporting missionary work among the Jews. We believe that only when Christ is accepted as Lord will the Jews or any other people find salvation, peace, and freedom.”

This resolution, proposed by Dr. Jacob Gartenhaus, was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously.

156. Resolution on Displaced Persons.

“This B.W.A. Congress at Copenhagen, assembled from many lands and representing many peoples, deeply concerned at the condition of the D.P.’s in many camps in Germany, Austria, and other countries, remembering that those who greatly valued their homes are now homeless, and those who formerly were bound in States are now Stateless, and those who once followed a trade or business are now without hire or means of gain, would urge with all emphasis upon all Governments and States concerned:

(1) That the D.P.s should be allowed, so far as possible, to enter countries according to their own choice, and

(2) That as those who have greatly valued their family life, they should be allowed to take their families with them, and

(3) That Governments should reconsider the conditions of immigration so as to admit as large a number as possible irrespective of the national quota, and

(4) That these D.P.s should be accompanied by their pastors to give spiritual comfort and instruction, and to see to their spiritual welfare, and

(5) That access should be granted to all information of name, faith, and destination of each D.P.; and would urge with equal emphasis upon all Baptist communities in the countries where the D.P.s enter that they should prepare and provide for a welcome worthy of the name of Christ, and should offer and cultivate all measures making for mutual fellowship and for worship, especially to those of our own faith and order.”

The resolution was moved, seconded, and unanimously adopted by the Congress.

Source

Walter O. Lewis, ed., Seventh Baptist World Congress: Copenhagen, Denmark July 29- August 3, 1947 (London: Baptist World Alliance, 1948), pp. 98-100.

Baptist World Eighth Congress, Cleveland (1950)

RESOLUTION ON GENOCIDE

Preamble

The U. N. Convention defines genocide to mean certain acts (enumerated in Article II) committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, as such.

“Genocide is a denial of the right of existence of entire human groups, as homicide is the denial of the right to live of individual human beings.”

WHEREAS, The United Nations has adopted a Convention on Genocide, for the purpose of condemning and outlawing the scourge of mass murder, and

WHEREAS, During the last war certain of the nations were guilty of this inhuman practice, using it both against minorities within their own borders as well as against conquered peoples and prisoners of war, and

WHEREAS, Christian conscience has been outraged by such treatment of human beings, and

WHEREAS, Only six more governments need to ratify this Convention in order to give it legal status, binding on those nations which have, or shall in the future, ratify this Convention, therefore be it

Resolved, That this World Congress of Baptists endorses the principle of the Convention on Genocide, and expresses the hope that it may speedily be ratified by the necessary number of governments and thus become part of the slowly emerging body of international law.

RESOLUTION ON RACE PROBLEMS

Of the Commission on Social Justice and Human Rights

WHEREAS, The Baptist World Alliance in 1934, 1939 and 1947 condemned racial discrimination;

WHEREAS, The question of race relations is world-wide in scope and is one of the most serious and baffling problems confronting mankind today;

WHEREAS, This problem manifests itself in several unchristian ways such as discrimination against Jews in many lands, the Apartheid Movement in South Africa, the discrimination against orientals [sic] and Mexicans in some areas, and the segregation by law of Negroes in the United States;

WHEREAS, We believe that racial and cultural exploitation of one group by another leads to international conflict;

WHEREAS, Discrimination, based on religion, culture, color and race provides fertile soil for the development and spread of communism, fascism and other antisocial programs;

WHEREAS, We Baptists ourselves are not free from prejudice and discriminatory practices against racial and cultural groups in our worship and communities;

WHEREAS, We believe that discrimination and segregation based on religion, race, color and culture are ethically and morally indefensible and contrary to the gospel of Christ and the principle of freedom for which Baptists stand;

The Baptist World Alliance, a World Fellowship of Baptists, therefore:

(1) Urge our Baptist churches to examine their interracial practices and policies with a view to removing from their worship and fellowship all forms of segregation and discrimination based on race, color or culture;

(2) Urge that the Baptists of the world use their influence to have discriminatory laws repealed wherever they appear in their respective countries;

(3) Urge that Baptists everywhere seek where necessary the enactment of laws designed to safeguard the rights of oppressed racial groups;

(4) Urge that each individual Baptist throughout the world sincerely and prayerfully search his own soul with a view to freeing himself from racial and cultural prejudice and embodying in his own person the mind and spirit of Christ in all human relations - in work, business, education, government, politics, recreation, social life and religion.

Source

Arnold T. Ohrn, ed., Eighth Baptist World Congress Cleveland Ohio July 22-27, 1950 Official Report (Philadelphia: Judson Press, 1950), pp. 340-341.