WHEREAS, July 4, 1976 is the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of the United States of America, and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists constitute a significant segment of the citizenry of this nation, and
WHEREAS, The basic ideas upon which this nation was built and the noble principles by which our democratic institutions were developed are in desperate need of responsible support by those who believe in the separation of church and state rather than an irresponsible manipulation of these institutions to their own advantage by any power hungry elite be it religious, political, economic, or social, and
WHEREAS, The most worthy celebrations of this nation’s past and the best hopes for this nation’s future are dependent upon the development of sound moral character in the present and avoiding the dangerous extremes of civil religion and the idolatry of the state.
Therefore be it RESOLVED, That this Convention offer prayerful thanksgiving to God for the birth and development of this nation.
Be it further RESOLVED, That we express our gratitude to President Gerald Ford for being the first president to recognize publicly at our annual meeting the significant role that Baptists have played in the nation’s development,
Be it further RESOLVED, That we recommit ourselves to the lofty ideals which formed the foundations of our nation–dignity, freedom, and justice for all–and to the kind of persistent citizen action which translates these ideals into public policy,
Be it finally RESOLVED, That we practice a patriotism worthy of the people of God, proclaiming by both word and deed the biblical truth that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”