1. The Baptist commitment to religious liberty stems from our belief in "soul freedom" and individual responsibility before God. What biblical references inform our support for religious liberty?

We begin with the belief that we are created in God's image, free to choose what we believe. Soul freedom and individual responsibility are gifts of God, not government. "We are one, being made like God." (Gen. 1:26-27) The idea that the church should be self-supported, not dependent on government, is illustrated by Paul's exhortation to the Corinthian church to follow the example of the Macedonians in offering resources to the Jerusalem church. Considering the "abundance of their joy and their deep poverty," the Macedonians, in the face of their own dire situation, gave an offering to the people in Jerusalem. (II Corinthians 8) Jesus repudiated the actions of the profiteers in the temple who were demeaning religious worship by substituting commerce for religious commitment (Matt. 21) and spoke of the separate realms of the "kingdom of Caesar" and the "kingdom of God." (Matt. 22:20-21)

For more information on the biblical basis for religious freedom, see Jim Spivey, "Separation No Myth: Religious Liberty's Biblical and Theological Bases," Southwestern Journal of Theology, 36, No.5, (Summer 1994), pp. 10-16. For further reading see Soul Freedom: Baptist Battle Cry by Grady C. Cothen and James M. Dunn (Macon, Georgia: Smyth and Helwys Publishing, 2000).

2. What does the Constitution tell us about our country's commitment to religious liberty?

The first sixteen words of the Bill of Rights protect religious liberty with two concepts: no establishment and free exercise. The Establishment Clause prohibits government (federal and state) from promoting any particular religion or religion in general. It prohibits government from endorsing religion or coercing religious practice. This does not mean government should be hostile toward religion. In fact, the Supreme Court has often referred to the religion clauses as providing "benevolent neutrality" toward religion. The Free Exercise Clause prevents government from interfering with or unnecessarily regulating religious practices. At times, it means giving religion special treatment under the law to accommodate religious practices. Note how both of these concepts protect freedom of conscience.

For further information see the Freedom Forum publication "History of Religious Liberty in America." Also available is a document titled "A Shared Vision: Religious Liberty in the 21st Century."

3. What is the difference between religious toleration and religious liberty?

The word toleration implies an unequal relationship – someone who tolerates and someone tolerated. Religious liberty is a broader concept that contemplates a God-given right, not simply a concession by government. Baptists stand for absolute liberty. As George W. Truett said in his famous 1920 sermon on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, "It is the consistent and insistent contention of our Baptist people, always and everywhere, that religion must be forever voluntary and uncoerced."

See Truett's sermon titled "Baptists and Religious Liberty."

4. Why should we be concerned with the rights of religious minorities and the non-religious?

What is a religious minority? We are certainly all minorities in some communities. Note how Baptists, despite their beginnings as a minority religious body in America, have flourished. That experience should help us engage in contemporary debates and dialogue about American democracy amid religious diversity. It is often said that the United States is the most religiously diverse nation in the world. How do we take our differences seriously without compromising our religious convictions? Pluralism does not mean we give up evangelism. Pluralism means we simply must participate in the free religious marketplace and defend others' right to disagree. People should be free to choose, and Baptists have been at the forefront of promoting authentic religion through heartfelt religious practice.

For more information see "American Pluralism and Baptist Evangelism," a sermon by BJC Executive Director J. Brent Walker.

5. Why have Baptists been at the forefront of the fight for religious liberty and the separation of church and state?

As church historian Walter B. Shurden summarizes it, Baptists "got that way" from their birthing, their believing, and their way of being in the world. Baptists were born of adversity. Our history is filled with stories of persecution in Europe and in Colonial America. Remember Thomas Helwys, Roger Williams, Isaac Backus, John Leland and George Truett? Baptists believe in "soul freedom." Our theology insists on freedom for others, as well as ourselves. Baptists have been active in many political movements. Our participation in policy debates and political movements is made possible by the religious liberty we enjoy.

See Shurden's "How We Got That Way."

6. What is an appropriate role for religion in the public schools? What has the Supreme Court said about the issue?

Although they are often misunderstood and misused for political purposes, the Supreme Court's opinions on prayer in the public schools have set out some clear and fair constitutional boundaries. The 1960s school prayer and Bible reading decisions banning government-sponsored religious exercises also explicitly recognized the important role of religion in education. In more recent times, the Court has continued to rule against state-sponsored religion at graduation and football games, but has affirmed the rights of students to form religious clubs and the rights of religious groups to use school facilities on an equal footing with other groups where there is no threat of "school sponsorship."

For more information on religion in the public schools see "A Teacher's Guide to Religion in the Public Schools" and "A Parent's Guide to Religion in the Public Schools."

7. Issues at the intersection of church and state are often controversial and emotional. How do such issues affect religious liberty?

Among current issues often debated are:

(a) Government endorsement of religious messages – In most cases, government displays of religious symbols and documents such as the Ten Commandments violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In effect, governmental efforts to promote religion often drain beliefs and practices of their spiritual significance.

(b) Government funding of faith-based social service ministries – Among other things, government funding of church ministries dampens the prophetic voice of the church and forces houses of worship to relinquish some control over their own affairs. It is an iron law of politics that whoever pays the fiddler, calls the tune.

For more information see "Keeping the Faith: The Promise of Cooperation, the Perils of Government Funding: A Guide for Houses of Worship."

(c) School tuition vouchers for religious schools – School vouchers drain much-needed resources from the public school system and subsidize religious education with public funds. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has declared some voucher plans constitutional, many church-state issues persist (e.g. the threat of regulation, the right of states to forbid what might be permitted under federal law, etc.) Government simply has no business funding religion.

8. What is the role of religion in the public square?

Separation of church and state has never meant a divorcement of religion and politics. It should go without saying that religious people have the same rights as others to express their convictions in the marketplace of ideas. Religious voices should be welcome in public debates about policy. Certainly individuals should not have to hide their faith to hold public office. What are the implications of invoking religious language to support domestic and international policy positions? Is a religious conviction sufficient to support public policy?

For more information see "A Shared Vision: Religious Liberty in the 21st Century."

9. What threats to religious liberty do we face in our community?

Every community faces different threats to religious liberty. Are our public schools remaining neutral toward religion? Is religion treated fairly in the curriculum? Are our elected officials knowledgeable about the importance of church-state separation?

Do they know that religious people care about it? Threats may also include local zoning laws, electioneering from the pulpit and religious discrimination.

10. How can we partner with the BJC to advance the cause of religious liberty?

(1) Know the issues by staying apprised of current events. Read the BJC's monthly publication, Report from the Capital, and regularly read or view local and national media.

(2) Speak out at public meetings, write letters to the editor and be a voice for religious liberty among your circle of influence.

(3) Support the BJC by giving directly to the BJC and by including the BJC in your church budget.