WHEREAS, Southern Baptists are on record as abhorring racial and ethnic injustice; and
WHEREAS, The practice of so-called "ethnic cleansing" continues to plague the world, as demonstrated by the recent atrocities in the Balkans; and
WHEREAS, The central message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is reconciliation to God, which should result in reconciliation to other persons regardless of racial, ethnic, social, and economic differences; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists are committed to taking this reconciling Gospel to all the world.
Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That we, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Houston, Texas, June 15-17, 1993, express our gratitude to God for his reconciling grace, and reaffirm our intention to love our neighbors as ourselves, denouncing in strongest terms every expression of racial and ethnic prejudice, discrimination, and hatred; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we call upon our President and other leaders of the international community to work to end genocide wherever found; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we call upon federal, state, and local government to enforce fully civil rights laws when such laws are in accordance with the Word of God, and to prosecute those persons who violate such laws; and
Be it finally RESOLVED, That we call upon Southern Baptists to redouble their efforts in their own communities to reach across racial and ethnical boundaries to establish both wholesome friendships and mutually beneficial ministry relationships.
Houston, Texas
