Liberia’s foreign deities

-And why local religious leaders want them removed

By Othello B. Garblah

Just within the compound of the Capitol Building, the seat of Liberia’s legislators is a bronze statue of a lady sitting holding in both hands what appears to be a flag and a trumpet. She is foreign.

A more critical look at her draws the resembling of the Greek goddess of War and Wisdom-Athena also known as Pallas Athenaie.

Next door to the Capitol Building is the Temple of Justice. At the entrance is Themis, the Titan Goddess of Law and Justice.

Several kilometers away from the Temple of Justice on the principal street of the nation’s capital, Monrovia stands another goddess surrounded by Angels in front of the national museum. That sculpture surrounded by Angels was a sculptural work done by Sculptor Aaron S. Brown (1898-1954).

Further down between Broad and Randall Streets is a monument, which some say is a symbol of a demonic covenant reached with a Syrian god to put the country’s resources into the hands of foreigners.

There are other statues depicting foreign deities or images in the country which are now of concern to religious leaders here. Now they want them removed from public buildings and spaces.

So what is a statue?

According to Wikipedia, a statue is a free-standing sculpture in which the realistic, full-length figures of persons or animals are carved or cast in a durable material such as wood, metal, or stone.

Many statues are built on commission to commemorate a historical event or the life of an influential person. Some of these statues are intended as public art, exhibited outdoors or in public buildings.

But for some, statues are more than their material content, they carry the powers of symbolism.

In ancient Greece and Rome for example, statues of gods and goddesses were believed to be that of deities who help shape the events of people’s lives on a daily basis. While they recognize these main gods and goddesses by decorating public buildings and fountains with their images, families worshipping at home also put special emphasis on the deities of their choosing.

Athena, for example, was the Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and handicrafts. It was the most renowned cult image of Athens. The image psychologically prepared the worshippers to address the divinity, and this was an important factor in the efforts of worshippers to communicate with the gods.

Furthermore, statues were the temple centerpieces and their production cost rivaled or exceeded that of the temple which housed them. Statues of gods in Greek culture had lived, both metaphorically and literally. The statues of gods had complex ritual lives. But they also manifested their power through the statue during an epiphany.

So why religious leaders in Liberia want them remove from public buildings?

The religious leaders believe that these statues are symbolic of deities with territorial powers that are stagnating the growth and development of Liberia.

They think the presence of these symbolic deities at public buildings and strategy public spaces in the country are indications that the country has turned away from the true Almighty God to Greek and other foreign deities and as such the nation is being punished through underdevelopment and extreme poverty.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Christian Council of Liberia Rev. Dr. Jasper S. Ndabordor named monuments erected at government buildings, including those in front of the Capitol Building, Temple of Justice, on Randall and Broad streets, coupled with alleged demonic covenant reached with a Syrian god to put the country’s resources in the hands of foreigners thus, reducing Liberians to spectators in their own economy.

The religious leaders believe that the presence of Athena in front of the Capitol Building is the source of constant conflict at the Capitol.

They say upon the removal of these statues there is a need for a national deliverance, which would provide spiritual cleansing for the country.

The removal of statues of deities from public spaces are not new, especially with the rise and spread of Christianity.

Some Christians believe that these statues which are symbolic of deities have territorial powers that shape and influence the daily lives of the people in those territories.

But why are these foreign statues commonly seen in Liberia-Liberia is a nation founded by freed slaves from America. There is no doubt these were copied and brought here just as the country’s constitution, flag, and even its pledge are all copied from the US. The Pledge is copied from the US Lonestar state of Texas. https://thenewdawnliberia.com/religious-leaders-want-statues-down-petition-house/