Council of Churches opposes proposal to make Liberia a Christian nation

The Constitution Review Committee of Liberia made a proposal to make the African country a Christian nation, but the Liberia Council of Churches announced on Monday that it does not support the idea.

"Consequently, we, the Liberia Council of Churches, wish to announce to the government and people of Liberia, ecumenical partners, the international Community and friends, that we do not support in any form or manner proposition #24 of the Constitution Review Committee to make Liberia a Christian Nation," said Episcopal bishop and LCC president Jonathan B. B. Hart at a press conference held at a local church in Monrovia, as quoted by Front Page Africa.

Last year, the CRC had agreed to take Proposition No. 24 to the National Legislature, and in November, according to the Daily Observer, the Joint Legislative Committee on Good Governance, the Judiciary, and Election & Inauguration has approved it for referendum.

Hart said that the council decided to get involved in the discussion because, given the sensitivity of the matter along with probable issues on national security, the people should be informed of the church's stance.

"To legitimize religion is to make it legal and compelling for all to accept," Hart said, according to Star Africa. However, the LCC believes that the church's mission is to help in educating and healing, and in "creating a free space to share our diversity of gifts."

Hart, who encouraged believers to "to respect freedom of conscience with those who claim no religious identification," acknowledged that religious sentiments that have been misused as well as religious intolerance have caused conflict, disagreements, and clashes among those of different faiths, particularly between Muslims and Christians.

"Instead, we strongly believe that furthering our collaboration and interfaith dialogue with all those united with us by faith and humanity will strengthen our harmonious relationship and create a peaceful society for mutual coexistence irrespective of race, creed, ethnicity or religion," he said.

He expressed that there has been progress in the country when it comes to acknowledging the importance of religious co-existence as well as diversity, and said that "peace is, and must be a precondition for our existence as a nation."

Following the statement, the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia has said that the LCC and the National Muslim Council of Liberia will continue to take the lead in terms of strengthening cooperation and collaboration to achieve peace in the country.