A prominent coalition of evangelical Christians from around the country issued a statement Friday defending their right to proclaim their faith, just weeks before the Southern Baptist Convention plans a major evangelizing campaign in Chicago.
Although the document does not specifically mention that campaign, “The Chicago Declaration on Religious Freedom” is at least in part a response to a controversy that arose last fall, when the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago asked the Southern Baptist Convention to reconsider plans to bring thousands of volunteer evangelists to the city July 8.
“Some contend that these efforts undermine a peaceful, pluralistic society and may lead to intolerance, bigotry, even violence,” Friday’s declaration acknowledges. But, it continues, “Misguided or false notions of pluralism must not be allowed to jeopardize anyone’s constitutional right to evangelize or promote one’s faith.”
The declaration is signed by several prominent national figures, including officers of the Southern Baptist Convention, prison evangelist Chuck Colson and Campus Crusade for Christ President Bill Bright. It also bears the signatures of local evangelical leaders, including Christianity Today executive editor David Neff, Moody Bible Institute President Joseph Stowell and Moody Church Pastor Erwin Lutzer.
