Baptist Minister Warns Against Trading Religious Liberty for Oppression

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In a Baptist News Global op-ed, Michael Chancellor, a former Baptist pastor and mental health professional, argues that Baptists should not trade their historic commitment to religious liberty for oppression. He reflects on his own lackluster baptism experience as a child and contrasts it with the Baptist tradition of defending 'soul freedom' against state coercion of religious practice. Chancellor warns that 'dangerous notions' and 'false memories' have led to empty churches and an abandonment of constitutional principles.

Why it matters

The Baptist tradition, forged through centuries of persecution, has long defended the principle of 'soul freedom' and the separation of church and state. Chancellor's op-ed serves as a reminder of this heritage and a caution against sacrificing religious liberty in the name of political expediency or a misguided desire for state-enforced religious conformity.

The details

Chancellor recounts his own baptism experience as a 9-year-old, describing it as 'quick, wet and a bit of a shock.' He contrasts this with his own approach as a pastor, taking time to discuss the meaning of baptism and helping anxious or phobic individuals feel comfortable with the ritual. Chancellor argues that not enough Baptist congregations today are teaching their members about the denomination's historic commitment to religious freedom, allowing 'dangerous notions' and 'false memories' to take root. He warns that this has led to 'empty churches, empty lives and a growing national crisis involving violations of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, alongside an abandonment of the rule of law.'

• Chancellor served as a Baptist pastor for 33 years in Texas before becoming a mental health professional.
• The op-ed was published on March 27, 2026.

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