Liberia is a Christian Nation: And we are not ashamed

By: Kolubahzizi T. Howard

April 6, 2015
Recently there has been much debate over the reinsertion in the Liberian Constitution of a
preambular clause stating that Liberia is a Christian nation founded on Christian principles. In
the 1847 Constitution of Liberia, this was accomplished by the second preambular clause of
which was removed during the Constitution review process of 1986. That clause stated:
Therefore, we the People of Liberia acknowledging with devout gratitude, the goodness of
God, in granting to us the blessings of the Christian religion, and political, religious, and civil
liberty, do, in order to secure these blessings for ourselves and our posterity, and to establish
justice, insure domestic peace, and promote the general welfare, hereby solemnly associate,
and constitute ourselves a Free, Sovereign and Independent State, by the name of the
REPUBLIC of LIBERIA , and do ordain and establish this Constitution for the government of the
same. 1
All this preambular clause seeks to achieve is recognition of the historical fact that Liberia was
founded as a Christian nation on Christian principles. This is evident in the following historical
facts:

Liberias birth as a nation, unlike other African countries, occurred within the
Church. The Declaration of Independence was signed in the Providence Baptist Church
in 1847 by eleven men of the Church, making Liberia a sovereign nation founded on
Christian principles.

To reinforce its Christian heritage, following independence the capital city of Liberia was
first named Christopolis, meaning the city of Christ. That name was later changed to
Monrovia in honor of Americas 5th president, James Monroe, who liquidated a debt
owed by the Liberian Government to the United States. Regrettably, the name of our
capital city was changed from the city of Christ to the village of Monroe.

Liberias celebration of National Fast and Prayer Day distinguishes her from other
countries in Africa, setting Liberia aside as a Christian nation. The purpose of this
holiday is to mobilize national prayer for the spiritual cleansing and healing of Liberia in
keeping with 2 Chronicles 7:14. This celebration of Fast and Prayer Day commemorates
Liberias delivery by the power of prayer from a political crisis with the British in the
mid-1800s.

The Liberian Constitutions. (2004) Liberian Constitution of 1847. The Liberian Constitutions, 26 February. Available at

http://onliberia.org/con_1847_orig.htm.

Liberias national Christian Symbols to include the contents of our National Anthem, our
National Flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the first Constitution of Liberia (1847-1985)
all point to the fact that our forefathers had assumed Liberia to be a Christian nation.2

However, the Constitution doesnt stop at just recognizing God and the blessings of Christianity;
it also acknowledges that All men have a natural and unalienable right to worship God,
according to the dictates of their own consciences, without obstruction or molestation from
others.3 As such, it recognizes Liberias historical foundation as a Christian nation as well as the
inalienable right of freedom of religion. Article 14 of the 1986 Constitution guarantees the
freedom of thought, conscience and religion to all Liberians. This acknowledgement of our
Christian heritage in no way discriminates against any individual or religion. It is simply a
statement of fact.
David Cameron, British Prime Minister, has used his 2015 Easter message to his compatriots to
declare that Britain is still a Christian country, as he urged the nation to speak out over the
persecution of the faithful around the world. In his message, Mr. Cameron said:
Across Britain, Christians dont just talk about loving thy neighbor, they live it out in faith
schools, in prisons, in community groups. And its for all these reasons that we should feel
proud to say, This is a Christian country. The church is not just a collection of beautiful old
buildings. It is a living, active force doing great works across our country. Yes, we are a nation
that embraces, welcomes and accepts all faiths and none but we are still a Christian country.
And as a Christian country, our responsibilities dont end there. We have a duty to speak out
about the persecution of Christians around the world too.4
In November 2005 Australian Federal Treasurer, Peter Costello, supported by Prime Minister
John Howard made the following remarks:
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their
culture . Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push,
but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and
this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If
God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home,
because God is part of our culture.5

History of Liberia. Vision Liberia 2027. Available at http://www.liberia2027.com/627324 [accessed 6 April 2015].

The Liberian Constitutions. (2004) Liberian Constitution of 1847. The Liberian Constitutions, 26 February. Available at
http://onliberia.org/con_1847_orig.htm.
4

Huffington Post UK (2015) David Cameron Uses Easter Message To Praise Britain As A Christian Country. 5 April.
Available at http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/04/05/cameron-uses-easter-message-to-praise-church-as-living-active-forcedoing-great-works_n_7007134.html [accessed 6 April 2015].
5

Christensen B (2011) Prime Minister Howard - Muslims Out Of Australia. Hoax Slayer, February. Available at
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/howard-muslim-speech.shtml [accessed 6 April 2015].

Like the British and Australians, Liberians should be proud to say once more that we are a
Christian nation. We should not be ashamed to acknowledge Gods divine intervention in affairs
of our nation in times of crisis when we as a people have called on Him. We have no apology
to make for being a nation founded on Christian principles. If more developed, richer and more
secular countries like the United Kingdom and Australia can proudly declare their Christian
heritage, why should we be embarrassed to state the truth of our national existence? Liberia is
a nation founded on Christian principles, a nation that acknowledges God. I am proud that this
Christian heritage was acknowledged by the National Constitutional Review Conference in
Gbarnga.