What do Southern Baptists hold concerning separation of church and state?

Question

That's a rhetorical question. The answer is already clear. Their official position is separation of church and state:

XVII. Religious Liberty

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. ...

The fundie fantasy that "America is a Christian country" and that civil government should be subjugated to what they imagine to be Christian principles is not the position of the Southern Baptist convention.

The Baptist founder, Roger Williams, set up Providence Plantation as a haven of total religious freedom. He is a major figure in favor of separation of church and state. Separationism is the American way.

Answer 1

I would only point out that the "fundies" to whom you refer are a vocal minority of Baptist who believe the United States was formed as a Christian nation by the founding fathers and only Christian politicians and judges should be allowed to take office. They see the current government supporting atheism, which they believe is a religion. They also believe in compulsory organized Christian prayer and Bible reading in the public schools during regular school hours. Many Baptists still strongly support the separation of church and state but also believe there should be more freedom in society and government to express personal religious beliefs, even if non-Christian.