WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that every human being is made in the image of God and therefore possesses inherent dignity and worth, and that the taking of innocent life is an offense against the Creator (Genesis 1:26-27, 9:6; Exodus 20:13; James 3:9); and
WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded his followers to love their neighbors, to love even their enemies, to pray for those who persecute them, to pursue peace with all people, and to overcome evil with good (Matthew 5:9,38-48, 22:39; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:14–21); and
WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states that Christians should “contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death” (Article XV), that “it is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness,” that “the true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord,” and that Christians should “pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace” (Article XVI); and
WHEREAS, The use or threat of violence for political ends assaults the sanctity of human life, the rule of law, ordered liberty, freedom of conscience, and the peaceful pursuit of justice, and includes recent events, such as assassinations and attempted assassinations of public figures, the harassment and even murder of fellow citizens in houses of worship, vandalism of crisis pregnancy centers, and public mayhem that sows chaos and destruction; and
WHEREAS, Dehumanizing rhetoric, reckless accusations, slander, and the normalization of hatred and contempt can harden consciences, inflame passions, and make violence more palatable in public life (Proverbs 10:18, 12:18, 16:28; Ephesians 4:29-32; James 3:5-10); and
WHEREAS, Scripture calls Christians to speak the truth in love, to be quick to hear and slow to anger, to serve as ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors for Christ, and to display the fruit of the Spirit even amid disagreement (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:3,15; James 1:19-20); and
WHEREAS, Polarization becomes sinful when spirited disagreements shift from biblical convictions and beliefs to spurious judgments about the character, motives, or humanity of opponents, fostering suspicion, contempt, fear, and hostility that damage the Christian witness, public morality, and peace in civic life; and
WHEREAS, The church’s weapons are not carnal but spiritual, and The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 affirms that Christians are to make the will of Christ supreme in society by advancing the gospel through faithful proclamation, principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love rather than through coercion or violence (Article XV; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5); and
WHEREAS, Faithful Christian citizenship includes the stewardship of engagement in public life through voting, advocacy, peaceful assembly, lawful protest, and other upright means, while refusing political idolatry and remembering that our ultimate allegiance is to the kingdom of God and not to any party, candidate, or earthly movement (Jeremiah 29:7; Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4); now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, June 9-10, 2026, unequivocally condemn political violence in all its forms, including assassinations, attempted assassinations, terrorism, rioting, mob intimidation, vandalism, threats, and coercion as morally evil, contrary to the sanctity of human life, destructive of ordered liberty, eroding equal protection and the rule of law, and incompatible with the way of Christ, regardless of the ideology, identity, party, or cause of the perpetrator or victim; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reject any claim that righteous ends justify unrighteous means, affirming that the cause of truth is never served by lies, the cause of justice is never served by lawlessness, and the cause of life is never served by murder (James 1:19-20); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reject hatred, malice, slander, dehumanization, intimidation, reckless speech, and contemptible conduct as inconsistent with Christian discipleship, while also rejecting a false peace that refuses necessary truth (2 Timothy 2:22-26); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call Southern Baptists to examine our own speech, online conduct, and public witness, refusing to treat image bearers as enemies to be destroyed rather than neighbors to be loved and won to the truth of God’s word, and refusing to derive primary identity from political affiliation rather than from union with Christ; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge pastors, churches, parents, and ministry leaders to disciple believers toward faithful Christian citizenship marked by truthfulness, moral clarity, courage, humility, love of neighbor, patience, prayer, and self-control, teaching the next generation that conviction does not require dangerous contempt and that Christian faithfulness requires both truth and love (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 22:6); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call on elected officials, candidates, political parties, media figures, and all public leaders to condemn political violence consistently and to protect the lives and safety of citizens, public servants, houses of worship, and other vulnerable institutions while preserving constitutional liberties; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we affirm the important role of law enforcement to maintain civil order as servants of God who punish evil and protect the innocent (Romans 13:4); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commit to pray diligently for governing authorities at every level, including those with whom we disagree (1 Timothy 2:1-2); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reaffirm that the church’s mission is advanced not by force but by the proclamation of the gospel, the ministry of the word, prayer, and the visible witness of regenerate believers, and that the gospel of Jesus Christ alone transforms hearts of hatred into love for God and neighbor (Matthew 28:18-20; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 Peter 2:9-12); and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we commit ourselves to live as ambassadors for Christ and peacemakers in a divided world, proclaiming the gospel of reconciliation as the only true hope for individuals, churches, and nations until Christ returns as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 5:9).