WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention has consistently adopted statements on concern for a Christian posture toward people of all races, and
WHEREAS, Many Southern Baptist individuals and agencies have repeatedly expressed verbally and in concrete actions their concern for the betterment of the total well being of all men; and
WHEREAS, Our Convention adopted “A Statement Concerning the Crisis in Our Nation” in its annual session in 1968; and
WHEREAS, The Home Mission Board has given prophetic leadership in seeking to implement the principles of “A Statement Concerning the Crisis in Our Nation”; and
WHEREAS, Many Southern Baptist laymen, pastors, and denominational leaders have consistently solicited support for governmental and social service agencies which seek to minister to the physical, material, and emotional needs of needy people of all races; and
WHEREAS, Militant leaders of some races have made widely publicized demands for racial “reparations” upon religious bodies of our nation;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we as messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans on June 13, 1969, reaffirm our commitment to the principles embodied in the Southern Baptist Convention’s “A Statement Concerning the Crisis in Our Nation” in 1968; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we encourage the Home Mission Board and other Southern Baptist agencies to give prayerful urgency to continuing implementation of the suggestions made in “A Statement Concerning the Crisis in Our Nation”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we urge individuals, churches, and institutions to continue to work for the fullest possible freedom and fulfillment of aspirations for human dignity and personal worth for all people; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we express appreciation for those persons and agencies which have made courageous efforts to work for racial justice and human betterment in difficult areas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we reject in total the demands, principles, and methods espoused by the National Black Economic Development Council which has made outrageous claims against religious bodies in our nation, proclaiming our disapproval of the intimidation, threats, and ultimatums propagated by leaders of this movement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we instruct all Southern Baptist Convention agencies to channel available funds through already established channels of Convention agencies and institutions in keeping with program assignments for interracial and social service activities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call upon all citizens of whatever race, creed, or national origin to work for racial justice, economic improvement, political emancipation, educational advancement, and Christian understanding among all peoples of the nation and the world.
RESOLUTION ON CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS
(not adopted)
WHEREAS, The United States Selective Service System has made provisions whereby persons who for reason of religious conviction may be exempted from personal participation in military service, and
WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention and other denominations have already established procedures whereby such conscientious objectors to military service may register their objections and be so certified by their denomination, and
WHEREAS, Several conscientious objectors within the Southern Baptist Convention have already availed themselves of such registration;
THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, That the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in New Orleans, June 13, 1969, reaffirm our position last taken in 1940 that those who for reasons of religious conviction are opposed to military service should be exempted from forced military conscription, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we state that this resolution does not imply approval or support of any citizen who refuses to accept the full obligation of responsible citizenship.