Monrovia — A MEMBER OF the coordinating committee of the "Liberia for Jesus Crusade," Rev. Jasper S. Ndaborlor of the Free Pentecostal Church, has said they will campaign for a constitutional amendment to declare Liberia a "Christian State."

REV. NDABORLOR RECENTLY addressed local leaders of the Liberia for Jesus Crusade as part of activities geared towards "redeeming" the nation from civil strife and moral decadence by bringing citizens closer to God.

ALTHOUGH THE POTENTIAL impact of the social political influence of the organizers of this national endeavor is yet to be felt, the national attention the Liberia for Jesus Crusaders hope to draw is enormous.

THE INTENTION THEREFORE, by a key organizer of the national crusade, to campaign for the amendment of the constitution to declare the country a Christian state thus requires prompt comments.

ACCORDING TO REV. NDABORLOR, the country is facing difficulties because God has withdrawn his grace due to the failure of politicians to maintain the historical Christian foundation upon which independence was declared.

REV. NDABORLOR RECALLED the declaration of independence with the assistance of missionaries at the Providence Baptist Church in 1847, arguing that the declaration of a Christian state would bring God back to the country.

REV. NDABORLOR'S VIEWS and beliefs are certainly well respected, but the declaration of a Christian state would be counter productive in that Christians would enjoy exclusive privileges and preferences over other religions.

BESIDES, SUCH CONSTITUTIONAL provision would amount to the imposition of the Christian belief on the nation, bringing forth the fluid and contentious philosophical issue relating to religion. In the long run, the society could be plagued with religious intolerance, thereby sparking off a new wave of civil strife.

WE THINK THE current constitution, which gives equal treatment, privileges and preferences to all religions, is the best and most reasonable.

FURTHERMORE, NO AMOUNT of legislation declaring Liberia a Christian state can guarantee the nation against civil strife and moral decadence.

IF THE NATION is experiencing socio-political difficulties almost beyond control, it is not that Liberia has not been declared a Christian State, rather it is because deeds are not being matched with professed desire for a better country.

IT SHOULD BE noted that the prosperous nations of the world are not religious, or for that matter, Christian states.

ON THE OTHER hand, regardless of the limitation of religious livelihood, states that adhere to the tenets of accountability and transparency within the framework of the capitalist economic system are the most prosperous in today's world.

PRAYERS OR DESIRE for national growth and development and moral rectitude must be matched by an attitude of love and respect for one another so that an environment of peaceful coexistence can subsist to attract the required activities for prosperity.

A NATION WILL always fall behind when its people preach love and righteousness with hatred in the hearts and the urge for immorality.

A NATION WILL also always be left behind when its people preach honesty and transparency but are unable to exhibit these virtues.

THE DECLARATION THEREFORE of a Christian State without the will to uphold those virtues that are required for the prosperity of the nation would be needless and a waste of time.