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God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines
and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it.
Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection
and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such
freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state
more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of
Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the
revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry
on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the
pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious
opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of
any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and
this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all
men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion
without interference by the civil power.
Courtesy of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
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