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God In These United States
Early History:
It would be a mistake to try to convince anyone that the ONLY "Creator" or "Almighty" mentioned in the Constitutions of the various states is the Christian God, without a very short History Lesson. This is not meant to be a major piece of work, just a "thumbnail sketch", if you will of what went before:
So here's what happened: When Edward, Henry's son became King after Henry's death, in 1547, he moved Anglicanism further away from Catholicism.
Edward died in 1553, and his half-sister, Mary, moved England back to the Roman fold (i.e Catholic church), and re-established Catholicism as the state religion. (Mary became known as Bloody Mary for her persecutions (torture and killings)of the ones who were NOT Catholic). Of course this caused MORE turmoil in the citizenry, as the ones who had broken from Catholicism were now severely tortured, punished, and even killed for remaining true to their religion.
In 1558 Mary died. Her sister Elizabeth I became Queen and immediately broke off with Rome. She completely separated from the Catholic church and eventually was excommunicated by the church. She fought against it all of her life. She died in 1603.
Her son, James (who became famous for the King James Bible) tried to "straddle the fence". King James had TWO Bibles published during his reign! The most well known is the KJV, of course, but he also had the Duway-Rheims Bible (which is a Catholic Bible) brought to England. As you can imagine this caused even more turmoil.
("King James" was known as King James I of England, but he had long been King James VI of Scotland - when he accepted the British crown, he was King of both countries. He ruled England from 1603-1625 - a time when the Pilgrims came to America, and, of course, the time of the founding of the Virginia Colony.)
For the next century, from James through Charles I (and Oliver Cromwell) there were significant swings between Catholicism and Protestantism in England, each time causing more and more and more unrest, and more suffering and pain for the people of England. (In 1630 they even abolished Christmas, not wanting to show any sign of "Popishness" - Christmas had been a Catholic celebration.)
In the 18th Century after almost a hundred years of Civil War and unrest, England spread Christianity to their territories. The Protestant faith spread outside of the British Isles by means of emigration as well as missionary effort.
In 1607, The Jamestown Colony was founded. One of the main buildings of that little community was the local church; the Church where Pocahontas married Captain John Smith was only found three years ago, in 2010. It was simply described as "the Protestant Church".
The Pilgrims came to Plymouth (correct spelling is Plimouth) in 1620 - their main purpose for leaving England has been verified as them being "Separatists" - those who want to be SEPARATE from the Anglican Church. In those days the Government and the Church were the same thing, so they were viewed as TRAITORS, seeking religious freedom. They were Protestants, with no particular religion (as we know them today) specified.
By naming them as "Protestants", we know that the people who settled America, and helped found the individual Colonies, which became States, were NOT "Papists" (that was a very ugly word to the ones in our new country). It meant "the Catholics. We also know that they weren't Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhists, etc.
They were all Protestants, who believed in the Protestant faith, which means the God that we still worship. No other!
What Did The State's Constitution(s) Say?:
I'm listing the states in alphabetical order - NOT in the order in which they signed their particular Constitutions. I do have a little 'tag' at the end that tells exactly when each state signed their Constitution. The United States Constitution was signed, of course, in 1789 - so any that were signed before that were showing their own particular individualism.
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the
favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following...
Constitution. Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to
those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land ... Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to
Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution... Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful
to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government... California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California,
grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ... Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence
for the Supreme Ruler of Universe ... Connecticut 1818, Preamble: "The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with
gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy ..."
Delaware 1787, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature,
the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the...
dictates of their consciences.
Note: Read what Article 22 says about those who would hold office in Delaware: "Every
person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or
place of trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the execution of his office,
shall take the following oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously scrupulous of taking
an oath, to wit:
And also make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: ****************************************** Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection
and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Article VI says this: ****************************************** Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to
Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings ... Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful
to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath
so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our
endeavors... Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to
Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government... Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the
Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence
on Him for a continuation of these blessings ... establish this Constitution Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God
for our civil and religious privileges, establish this Constitution. Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth of grateful to
Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties... Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful
to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy .. Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine .. acknowledging with grateful
hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us
an opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful
to Almighty God or our civil and religious liberty...
Article XXXIII. That, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he
thinks most acceptable to him; all persons, professing the Christian religion, are
equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty;
(And later in that same Section:) "...the Legislature may, in their discretion, lay a
general and equal tax, for the support of the Christian religion; leaving to each
individual the power of appointing the payment over of the money, collected from
him, to the support of any particular place of worship or minister, or for the benefit of
the poor of his own denomination" Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts,
acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of
the Universe...in the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly
imploring His direction ...
Part I, Section II: "It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly, and
at stated seasons, to worship the SUPREME BEING, the great creator and
preserver of the universe."
Section III says: (we authorize) religious societies, to make suitable provision, at
their own expense, for the institution of the public worship of GOD, and for the
support and maintenance of public protestant teachers of piety, religion and morality,
in all cases where such provision shall not be made voluntarily.
Chapter II, Section I, II. "The Governor shall be chosen annually: And no person
shall be eligible to this office, unless at the time of his election, he shall have been
an inhabitant of this Commonwealth for seven years next preceding; and unless he
shall, at the same time, be seized in his own right, of a freehold within the
Commonwealth, of the value of one thousand pounds; and unless he shall declare
himself to be of the Christian religion. Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful
to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom ... establish this Constitution... Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota,
grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to
perpetuate its blessings... Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention
assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work. Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence
for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness ..
establish this Constitution ... Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God
for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ... Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our
freedom .. establish this Constitution Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to
Almighty God for our freedom ...establish this Constitution ... New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. "All men have certain natural, essential,
Article VI says: "And every denomination of christians demeaning themselves New Jersey 1787, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey,
grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so
long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our
endeavors...
In addition read what Article XIX says: That "there shall be no establishment of any New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to
Almighty God for the blessings of liberty ... New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful
to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings . North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina,
grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil,
political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon
Him for the continuance of those... North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to
Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
****************************************** Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to
Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our
common... Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to
secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this
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Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure
in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of
their consciences .
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Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to
Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly
invoking His guidance...
Section 10 speaks of the Oath of Office for any Congressperson: "I do believe in
And no further or other religious test shall ever hereafter be required of any civil
(To have a statement swearing that you believe in the New Testament rules out the
Jewish faith.)
****************************************** Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island
grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath
so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing... South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of the State of South
Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this
Constitution.
Article Six, SECTION 2 says: "No person who denies the existence of the Supreme
Being shall hold any office under this Constitution."
XXXVIII: That all persons and religious societies who acknowledge that there is one
God, and a future state of rewards and punishments, and that God is publicly to be
worshipped, shall be freely tolerated. The Christian Protestant religion shall be
deemed, and is hereby constituted and declared to be, the established religion of this
State. That all denominations of Christian Protestants in this State, demeaning
themselves peaceably and faithfully, shall enjoy equal religious and civil privileges. South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to
Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties . establish this...
****************************************** Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III: That all men have a natural and indefeasible
right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their...
conscience... Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging,
with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God... Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we
establish this Constitution... Vermont 1777, Preamble Article III: "Whereas all government ought to ... enable
the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings
which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ... The ending of this Article
says this: "Nevertheless, every sect or denomination of Christians ought to observe
the Sabbath or Lord's day, and keep up some sort of religious worship, which to
them shall seem most agreeable to the revealed will of God."
(Notice this references CHRISTIANITY as the only recognizable religion in Vermont.)
****************************************** Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI ... Religion, or the Duty which we owe
our Creator can be directed only by Reason ... and that it is the mutual
duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each
other... Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington,
grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain...
this Constitution . West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the
blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West
Virginia .. reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God. Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty
God for our freedom, domestic tranquility... Wyoming 1890Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to
God for our civil, political, and religious liberties ... establish this Constitution.
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one
is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the other
out-of-control federal courts are wrong about whether this Nation was founded as a CHRISTIAN nation!
****************************************** We might say "Well that this was then, and today it's a different world."
But is it really? In March, 1952, Puerto Rico wrote
their first Constitution. It said: Original Thirteen Colonies (States)
1 Delaware July 4th, 1776 and December 7th, 1787 Lower
Counties on Delaware, then sovereign state in Confederation
14 Vermont March 4th, 1791 Province of New York, Vermont Republic
(Click HERE to go the Master Index)
Statement:America's founders did not intend for there to be a "Separation of God and
State", as demonstrated by the fact that all 50 states acknowledge God in their
state constitutions:
King Henry VIIIth wanted a divorce from his wife, but according to the Catholic church, he couldn't get one. So he broke with "The Church" in 1533, and formed the Anglican Church. (Strict history buffs will get me on this one, but I know the history too, and am just trying to make it a condensed version.) Now, just like in America today, a good part of England wanted to STAY Catholic! So this caused some turmoil, especially since Henry wound up beheading some of his wives. AT THIS TIME, though, the Church of England, was not too different from the Catholic Church.
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" I, A,B (their name here) will bear true allegiance to the Delaware State, submit to its
constitution and laws, and do no act wittingly whereby the freedom thereof may be
prejudiced."
" I, A B. do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in
the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy
scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine
inspiration."
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Florida 1845, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to
Almighty God for our constitutional liberty ... establish this
Constitution...
"The representatives shall be chosen out of the residents in
each county, who shall have resided at least twelve months in this State, and three
months in the county where they shall be elected; except the freeholders of the
counties of Glynn and Camden, who are in a state of alarm, and who shall have the
liberty of choosing one member each, as specified in the articles of this Constitution,
in any other county, until they have residents sufficient to qualify them for more; and
they shall be of the Protestant religion, and of the age of twenty-one years, and shall
be possessed in their own right of two hundred and fifty acres of land, or some
property to the amount of two hundred and fifty pounds.
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and inherent rights - among which are, the enjoying and defending life and liberty;
acquiring, possessing, and protecting, property; and, in a word, of seeking and
obtaining happiness. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged
by this state on account of race, creed, color, sex or national origin."
quietly, and as good subjects of the state, shall be equally under the protection of the
law: and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another, shall ever be
established by law."
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one religious sect in this Province, in preference to another; and that no Protestant
inhabitant of this Colony shall be denied the enjoyment of any civil right, merely on
account of his religious principles; but that all persons, professing a belief in the faith
of any Protestant sect. who shall demean themselves peaceably under the
government, as hereby established, shall be capable of being elected into any office
of profit or trust, or being a member of either branch of the Legislature, and shall
fully and freely enjoy every privilege and immunity, enjoyed by others their fellow
subjects."
(Did you notice that they SPECIFICALLY mention the PROTESTANT
religion??? There is NO comment for establishment of religion for any other religion
- i.e. Islamic, Jewish, etc.)
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Article II says: "That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship
Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences and understanding
one God, the creator and governor of the universe, the rewarder of the good and the
punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New
Testament to be given by Divine inspiration.
officer or magistrate in this State."
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“We, the people of Puerto Rico, in order to organize
ourselves politically on a fully democratic basis, to promote the general welfare, and
to secure for ourselves and our posterity the complete enjoyment of human rights,
placing our trust in Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
commonwealth which, in the exercise of our natural rights, we now create within our
union with the United States of America.
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
William Penn
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2 Pennsylvania July 4th, 1776 and December 12th, 1787
Province of Pennsylvania, then sovereign state in Confederation
3 New Jersey
July 4th, 1776 and December 18th, 1787
Province of New Jersey, then sovereign state in Confederation
4 Georgia July 4th, 1776 and January 2nd, 1788 Province of Georgia,
then sovereign state in Confederation
5 Connecticut July 4th, 1776 and January 9th, 1788 Connecticut
Colony, then sovereign state in Confederation
6 Massachusetts July 4th, 1776 and February 6th, 1788 Province of
Massachusetts Bay, then sovereign state in Confederation
7 Maryland July 4th, 1776 and April 28th, 1788 Province of Maryland,
then sovereign state in Confederation
8 South Carolina July 4th, 1776 and May 23rd, 1788 Province of
South Carolina, then sovereign state in Confederation
9 New Hampshire July 4th, 1776 and June 21st, 1788 Province of
New Hampshire, then sovereign state in Confederation
10 Virginia July 4th, 1776 and June 25th, 1788 Virginia Colony, then sovereign state in Confederation
11 New York July 4th, 1776 and July 26th, 1788 Province of New York,
then sovereign state in Confederation
12 North Carolina July 4th, 1776 and November 21st, 1789 Province of
North Carolina, then sovereign state in Confederation
13 Rhode Island July 4th, 1776 and May 29th, 1790 Colony of
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, then sovereign state in Confederation
15 Kentucky June 1st, 1792 Virginia
16 Tennessee June 1st, 1796 North Carolina, then Southwest
Territory
17 Ohio March 1st, 1803 Northwest Territory
18 Louisiana April 30th, 1812 Orleans Territory
19 Indiana December 11th, 1816 Northwest Territory (Indiana
Territory)
20 Mississippi December 10th, 1817 Mississippi Territory
21 Illinois December 3rd, 1818 Northwest Territory (Illinois
Territory)
22 Alabama December 14th, 1819 Alabama Territory
23 Maine March 15th, 1820 Massachusetts
24 Missouri August 10th, 1821 Missouri Territory
25 Arkansas June 15th, 1836 Arkansas Territory
26 Michigan January 26th, 1837 Northwest Territory (Michigan Territory)
27 Florida March 3rd, 1845 Florida Territory
28 Texas December 29th, 1845 Republic of Texas
29 Iowa December 28th, 1846 Iowa Territory
30 Wisconsin May 29th, 1848 Northwest Territory (Wisconsin
Territory)
31 California September 9th, 1850 Alta California
32 Minnesota May 11th, 1858 Minnesota Territory
33 Oregon February 14th, 1859 Oregon Territory
34 Kansas January 29th, 1861 Kansas Territory
35 West Virginia June 20th, 1863 Virginia
36 Nevada October 31st, 1864 Nevada Territory
37 Nebraska March 1st, 1867 Nebraska Territory
38 Colorado August 1st, 1876 Colorado Territory
39 North Dakota November 2nd, 1889 Dakota Territory
40 South Dakota November 2nd, 1889 Dakota Territory
41 Montana November 8th, 1889 Montana Territory
42 Washington November 11th, 1889 Washington Territory
43 Idaho July 3rd, 1890 Idaho Territory
44 Wyoming July 10th, 1890 Wyoming Territory
45 Utah Jan. 4th, 1896 Utah Territory
46 Oklahoma Nov.16th, 1907 Oklahoma Territory, Indian
Territory
47 New Mexico Jan. 6th, 1912 New Mexico Territory
48 Arizona Feb. 14th, 1912 Arizona Territory
49 Alaska Jan. 3rd, 1959 Alaska Territory
50 Hawaii Aug. 21st, 1959
Kingdom of Hawaii, Hawaii Territory
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/statehood.shtml