WHEREAS, Scripture commands individual Christians to love our enemies, but it also commands civil authorities to restrain evil and to punish evildoers through the power of the sword (Romans 13:1–5); and
WHEREAS, Scripture calls on Christians to pray for those in authority that we might live peaceably in this world (1 Timothy 2:1–2); and
WHEREAS, The Iraqi people have suffered for decades under the oppressive and autocratic regime of Saddam Hussein; and
WHEREAS, The Iraqi regime was marked by repression, intimidation, mass murder, and extreme hostility to the most basic human rights of its people; and
WHEREAS, Saddam Hussein repeatedly defied the demands of the international community to verify Iraqi compliance with United Nations resolutions against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and
WHEREAS, The United States military led an international coalition to free the Iraqi people from this cruel and unjust regime; and
WHEREAS, The 2002 Southern Baptist Convention called on the United States government to protect our people against rogue nations in their quest for weapons of mass destruction; and
WHEREAS, We believe Operation Iraqi Freedom was a warranted action based upon historic principles of just war; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, June 17–18, 2003, affirm President George W. Bush, the United States Congress, and our armed forces for their leadership in the successful execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend the valiant and sacrificial service of the men and women of our armed forces and the ministry of our chaplains; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call on Southern Baptists to pray for all those who have lost loved ones in this war; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call on Southern Baptists to pray for our troops and our diplomatic leaders as they aid in the rebuilding of the nation of Iraq; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we acknowledge our love for the Iraqi people and call on Southern Baptists to pray for peace and justice in Iraq; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we call on the United States government and the international community to ensure that the Iraqi people enjoy all the blessings of liberty, including economic, political, and religious freedom.