Religious Pluralism and the Ethics of Coexistence in Sierra Leone

Abstract

This paper explores the religious atmosphere of Sierra Leone through a philosophical lens, examining how pluralism and interfaith relations are experienced and conceptualised in a complex socio-religious context. While the nation’s reputation for religious tolerance is often celebrated, this study argues that such coexistence raises deeper epistemological and ethical questions regarding religious truth claims, identity, and social cohesion. Drawing from African philosophy of religion—especially the works of John Mbiti, Kwasi Wiredu, and communalist ethics—as well as global frameworks like Habermas's discourse ethics and Rawlsian toleration, the paper develops a normative reflection on the possibilities and limits of peaceful religious plurality. Methodologically, this research integrates empirical data gathered from religious leaders and adherents across major regions in Sierra Leone with a conceptual analysis of pluralism. The findings reveal a widespread pragmatic ethos of tolerance that is not always accompanied by deeper philosophical engagement with difference. By examining this gap, the paper makes a case for a more reflexive and philosophically grounded model of coexistence that transcends mere harmony and embraces constructive, dialogical pluralism.