The Salvation Army has released a new international positional statement (IPS) reaffirming its strong commitment to religious freedom. Specifically, religious freedom is positioned by The Salvation Army as being a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of healthy, inclusive societies.

Approved by The General’s Council in November 2025, the statement emphasises that every person has the right to choose, practise, change and express their religious beliefs without fear of coercion, discrimination or persecution. 

Rooted in biblical principles and aligned with international human rights standards, including the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the statement highlights religious freedom as essential to human dignity, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

Serving in more than 130 countries, The Salvation Army works across diverse cultural and religious contexts. The statement underscores the movement’s commitment to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ while meeting human need without discrimination, and to engaging with people of all faiths with wisdom, humility, compassion and respect.

"The Salvation Army believes all people are created in the image of God," the statement says, "and therefore possess intrinsic and equal value (Genesis 1:26-27). This provides the foundational understanding of human dignity for The Salvation Army that all people should be treated with respect and their dignity upheld without any conditions attached, such as religious beliefs."

The Salvation Army also calls on Salvationists worldwide to learn about religious freedom, pray for those facing persecution, foster interfaith co-operation and advocate for the protection of this vital freedom at local, national and international levels.

The full International Positional Statement on Religious Freedom is available here.