Baptists & Religious Liberty

When asked what unique gift America has offered the world, one Baptist leader replied: “The doctrine of religious liberty.” For centuries, Baptists have championed this principle—not as a political agenda, but as a deep theological conviction. In a time when public discourse is increasingly polarized, when suspicion clouds our view of those who believe differently we need to remember who we are.

Religious liberty is not just a civic value—it’s a gospel value. The freedom to respond to God is woven into the fabric of our faith because love must be freely given. Jesus himself modeled this: “No one takes my life from me,” he said, “but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18). His sacrifice wasn’t coerced; it was a voluntary act of love. And this divine freedom shows us that authentic faith can’t be forced. It must be chosen.

That’s why Baptists have always held that every person—regardless of background, belief, or tradition—must come to God freely. We don’t get to gatekeep grace. Jesus said, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheepfold…” (John 10:16), reminding us that God's reach is broader than our own understanding.

This belief is rooted in our history. Early Baptists like John Leland and Isaac Backus weren’t just fighting for tolerance—which implies permission from those in power—but for liberty: the God-given right of every soul to seek and serve God. Baptist influence helped shape American principles, inspiring thinkers like Jefferson and Madison to protect religious freedom in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

One moving story illustrates this beautifully. A Baptist missionary in the Philippines met a man who, after years of religious oppression, asked shyly if it was allowed to read his Bible outside—perhaps even on the roof. His fear hadn’t faded, even after freedom had arrived. The missionary assured him that he could read openly, saying, “So long as you see that flag, you can read your Bible in freedom.” The man wasn’t asking for privilege—only for the right to seek God in peace.

That’s what religious liberty is—not dominance, not control, but the sacred space for the soul to respond to God without fear. And that freedom must be for everyone—Muslims, Jews, atheists, Christians—because if it’s denied to one, it’s threatened for all.

We’re living in a moment where some voices seek to merge faith and state power, or to claim Jesus for one political side. But Jesus never imposed himself, nor will he be imprisoned by political ideology. He invited. He never demanded allegiance through force. He called his sheep to follow because they heard his voice and were free to respond.

As followers of Christ, we must remain vigilant. We must guard the wall between church and state—not just to protect ourselves, but to honor the gospel. As President Kennedy once warned: “Today I may be the victim, but tomorrow it may be you.”

Let’s be “rooftop people.” Let’s live our faith openly, but also hold space for others to seek God freely. And let’s defend religious liberty not just as a right for ourselves, but as a gift God offers to all.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”
The beauty of God’s love is this: you are free to respond.

What might it look like for you to live your faith this week in a way that helps someone else listen for God’s voice—freely, fearlessly, and fully? How can your voice be clear in the public square, advocating for religious freedom for all?

Please contact a minister if you would like to discuss this or anything else about living your faith at First Baptist Church.