Soul competency is a Christian theological perspective on the accountability of each person before God.
According to the view, one's family relationships, church membership, or ecclesiastical or religious authorities cannot affect the salvation of one's soul from damnation.
The basic concept of individual soul liberty, is that in matters of religion, each person has the liberty to choose what conscience or soul dictates is right, and is responsible to no one but God for the decision that is made.
According to Francis Wayland, president of Brown University (1827–1855), Roger Williams established the commonwealth of Rhode Island on the fundamental principle of "perfect freedom in religious concerns; or, as he so well designated it, "SOUL LIBERTY"."[a].
[1] In line with soul competency, the Southern Baptist Convention has no official creed.