From a website the admin would approve of:
[quote author=FreeSundaySchoolLessons]Individual soul liberty is a subject that is difficult to treat due to several factors. It somewhat overlaps the concept of the priesthood of the believer; it can easily be misunderstood and misapplied; and it is a concept that is universally held in theory but generally rejected in practice among independent fundamental Baptists.
Definition: Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the freedom to choose what his conscience or soul dictates is right in the religious realm. Soul liberty asks the believer to accept responsibility for his own actions and not try to force anyone else to do or believe anything contrary to his own conscience. However, this liberty is not a justification for disobeying God. The believer must still act according to the principles of Scripture and honor the doctrinal position of the Bible-believing Baptist church to which he belongs.
Individual soul liberty is a particularly Baptist principle. Most denominations attempt to exercise control over their members to some extent, but Baptists limit such control by demanding that every believer is ultimately responsible to God. Individuals have the right to disagree with others, follow their own conscience, and not feel compelled to adopt any views they disagree with. This does not suggest that every believer is a ?lone wolf? or that believers need not submit to the leadership of their church. Soul liberty simply asserts that every believer has the right to act in accordance with his own conscience, and that no one can force anyone to believe or act against his theological viewpoint.
When studying the individual priesthood of the believer, we found that no believer has the right to impose views, practices, etc., on any other believer. The priesthood of the believer and individual soul liberty overlap a bit as they both deal with the issue of freedom within the confines of the will of God.
Unfortunately, soul liberty is not a popular idea in many Baptist congregations. Of all the Baptist distinctives, this issue of soul liberty is probably the one most fraught with difficulties, discrepancies, and disagreements. Leaders often give no room for personal convictions that may differ from their own viewpoint. Believers are often quick to judge, to criticize, and to give an opinion where not [sic] is asked for. Issues that should be minor may rise to a level where anyone who takes another position becomes the enemy. The church?s responsibility is to clearly present the Scriptures so as to convince believers of their need to submit and obey. Nevertheless, the church should not threaten, bully or intimidate its members into submission. Christians should desire to live godly lives because they are freely convinced that they ought to do so, not because someone forces godliness upon them.
There appears to be widespread ignorance of this Baptist distinctive, at least in practice if not in belief. Since it is a biblical issue, it is certainly worthy of serious study and consideration.
