Christianity and politics in Doe's Liberia

the long version

This study analyses the socio-political function of Christianity in Liberia under the corrupt and oppressive regime of Samuel K. Doe (1980-90). Paul Gifford discusses all branches of Christianity in that country: the mainline, the evangelical, the new pentecostal, and the independent churches. He argues that the mainline churches, although they sometimes spoke out, were tamed or co-opted by Doe, and in general lacked the moral authority to challenge the iniquitous system. Most evangelical churches taught that calamities were to be expected in these end times, advocated obedience, together with a passive acceptance of hardship and a pietistic retreat from worldly concerns, and attributed all evils to demonic causality; such emphases diverted attention from Liberia's ills, and left Doe unchallenged in his corruption and mismanagement. The modern pentecostal churches, with their faith gospel of health and wealth, went further still, teaching that God himself would bring about any necessary changes. The independent churches increasingly sought links - as a result of Liberia's economic collapse - with American churches, and came to absorb those churches' evangelical/pentecostal theology. Gifford shows that Liberian Christianity was devised in the USA and promoted by American missionaries, many of whom unconsciously identified God with America, the divine will with American interests. This Christianity therefore furthered the regional economic and political objectives of the US government, which was Doe's greatest source of support. This is the first comprehensive study of the role of Christianity in a modern African society; and the small size of Liberia means that Gifford is able to treat, in very sharp focus, trends evident throughout the whole African continent.