To require orthodoxy as a condition of denominational service limits no one s freedom. The doctrine of religious freedom derives directly from the spiritual and personal nature of saving faith. This is a freedom that we have in the state the state has no right to impose, establish, or restrict religion. As a society God bids us to uphold the freedom of each one to worship according to conscience, not because all worship is pure and good in God s sight, but because the worship that pleases God comes from personal conviction alone. It must be with a sincere heart.
All persons are free in our society to believe and practice religion as they see fit.
But churches and their agencies are likewise free to require agreement in doctrine and practice as a condition of service. To require churches to hire persons who disagree with their fundamental beliefs is same as asking them to dissolve their constitutions and be absorbed into civil society. Churches are constituted upon scriptural faith and practice. If they are not free to make agreement with their faith and practice a condition of service, they commit ecclesiastical suicide. Those who appeal to religious freedom and soul liberty to prohibit adopting creeds as conditions of service in fact reduce the churches and their conventions to bondage, a tyranny of the individual.