INDIANA (CONSTITUTION OF 1851; 1961 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "*** We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government, do ordain this Constitution" (preamble to constitution). "We declare, That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights * (art. 1, sec. 1). "All men shall be secured in their natural right to worship Almighty God * * *” (art. 1, sec. 2). (b) Freedom of religion "All men shall be secured in their natural right to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences" (art. 1, sec. 2). "No law shall, in any case whatever, control the free exercise and enjoyment of religious opinions, or interfere with the rights of conscience" (art. 1, sec. 3). "No religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office of trust or profit" (art. 1, sec. 5). IOWA (CONSTITUTION OF 1857; 1961 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "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]" (preamble to constitution). (b) Freedom of religion "The General Assembly shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; nor shall any person be compelled to attend any place of worship, pay tithes, taxes, or other rates for building or repairing places of worship or the maintenance of any minister, or ministry" (art. 1, sec. 3). "No religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office, or public trust, and no person shall be deprived of any of his rights, privileges, or capacities, or disqualified from the performance of any of his public or private duties, or rendered incompetent to give evidence in any court of law or equity, in consequence of his opinions on the subject of religion; ***" (art. 1, sec. 4). "No person or persons conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to do military duty in time of peace ***" (art. VI, sec. 2). KANSAS (CONSTITUTION OF 1859; 1958 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges *** [establish this constitution]" (preamble to constitution). "The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed ***” (bill of rights, sec. 7). (b) Freedom of religion "The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed; nor shall any person be compelled to attend nor support any form of worship; nor shall any control of or interference with the rights of conscience be permitted, nor any preference be given by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship. No religious test or property qualification shall be required for any office of public trust, nor for any vote at any election, nor shall any person be incompetent to testify on account of religious belief" (bill of rights, sec. 7). KENTUCKY (CONSTITUTION OF 1956) (a) God, Supreme Being "We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy *** [establish this Constitution]" (preamble to constitution). "The right of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences" (bill of rights, sec. 1). (b) Freedom of religion "No preference shall ever be given by law to any religious sect, society or denomination; nor to any particular creed, mode of worship or system of ecclesiastical polity; nor shall any person be compelled to attend any place of worship, to contribute to the erection or maintenance of any such place, or to the salary or support of any minister of religion; nor shall any man be compelled to send his child to any school to which he may be conscientiously opposed; and the civil rights, privileges or capacities of no person shall be taken away, or in anywise diminished or enlarged, on account of his belief or disbelief of any religious tenet, dogma or teaching. No human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience" (bill of rights, sec. 5). "The General Assembly * ** may exempt from military service persons having conscientious scruples against bearing arms***" (art. 220). LOUISIANA (CONSTITUTION OF 1921; 1961 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "Every person has the natural right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience * * *" (art. 1, sec. 4). "We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and desiring to secure the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution" (preamble to constitution). (b) Freedom of religion, religious practices, etc. "Every person has the natural right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. No law shall be passed respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof; nor shall any preference ever be given to, nor any discrimination made against, any church, sect or creed of religion, or any form of religious faith or worship" (art. 1, sec. 4). "*** and no preference shall ever be given to, nor any discrimination made against, any church, sect or creed of religion, or any form of religious faith or worship ***" (art. 4, sec. 8). "No person in the 'State' or 'City Classified Service,' having gained civil service status shall be discriminated against or subjected to any disciplinary action for political or religious reasons ***" (art. 14, sec. 15(A) (1)). MAINE (CONSTITUTION; 1959 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "We the people of Maine *** acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and, imploring His aid and direction *** [establish this Constitution]" (preamble to constitution). "All men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences ***" (art. I, sec. 3). (b) Freedom of religion “All men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no one shall be hurt, molested or restrained in his person, liberty or estate for worshipping God in the manner and reason most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience, nor for his religious professions or sentiments *** and no insubordination or preference of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law, nor shall any religious test be required as a qualification for any office or trust, under this state * * *” (art. I, sec. 3). "Persons of the denominations of quakers and shakers, * * *, ministers of the gospel and persons exempted by the laws of the United States may be exempted from military duty (in the militia) * * (art. VII, sec. 5). MARYLAND (CONSTITUTION OF 1867; 1958 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "We, the people of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty (declare specified rights) ***" (preamble to declaration of rights). "That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty * * *" (art. 36). (b) Freedom of religion "That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefrom, no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate, on account of his religious persuasion, or profession, or for his religious practice, unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good order, peace or safety of the State, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil or religious rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to frequent, or maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain, any place of worship * * *; nor shall any person otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided he believes in the existence of God, and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefor either in this world or in the world to come" (art. 36). "That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution (art. 37). (Requirement of a belief in oath for public office held unconstitutional under Federal Constitution, Torcaso v. Watkins, 367 U.S. 488.) MASSACHUSETTS (CONSTITUTION OF 1780; 1961 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the great Legislator of the universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence, [an opportunity to form a compact]; * * * and devoutly imploring His direction in so interesting a design, *** [establish the Constitution] ***" (preamble to constitution). "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 * * *" (declaration of rights, art. II). "As the public worship of God and instructions in piety, religion and morality, promote the happiness and prosperity of a people and the security of republican government (certain rights accrue to religious societies) ** ** (declaration of rights, art. III). (b) Freedom of religion "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. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship" (declaration of rights, art. III). "No law shall be passed prohibiting the free exercise of religion" (articles of amendment, art. XVIII, sec. 1). "Nothing berein contained shall be construed to deprive any inmate of a publicly controlled reformatory, penal or charitable institution of the opportunity of religious exercises therein of his own faith; but no inmate of such institution shall be compelled to attend religious services * * * against his will ***" (articles of amendment, art. XVIII, sec. 4). "A frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of the constitution, and a constant adherence to those of piety (and other principles not related to religion, as such) are *** necessary to preserve *** liberty ***. The people ought, consequently, to have a particular attention to all those principles in the choice of [public officers] ***" (declaration of rights, art. XVIII). MICHIGAN (CONSTITUTION OF 1908; 1959 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom *** [establish the Constitution]" (preamble to constitution). "Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience ***” (art. II, sec. 3). "Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged" (art. XI, sec. 1). (b) Freedom of religion "Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. No person shall be compelled to attend, or, against his consent, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of religious worship, or to pay tithes, taxes or other rates for the support of any minister of the gospel or teacher of religion. *** The civil and political rights, privileges and capacities of no person shall be diminished or enlarged on account of his religious belief" (art. II, sec. 3). "No person shall be rendered incompetent to be a witness on account of his opinions of matters of religious belief” (art. II, sec. 17). "*** citizens of any religious denomination, who, from scruples of conscience, may be averse to bearing arms, shall be excused therefrom upon such conditions as shall be prescribed by law" (art. XV, sec. 1). MINNESOTA (CONSTITUTION OF 1857; 1961 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being * "We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings * * [establish the Constitution]" (preamble to constitution). ***The right of every man to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience shall never be infringed * ****** (bill of rights, art. I, sec. 16). (b) Freedom of religion 66* ** The right of every man to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience shall never be infringed, nor shall any man be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any religious or ecclesiastical ministry, against his consent; nor shall any control of or interference with the rights of conscience be permitted, or any preference be given by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State ***" (bill of rights, art. I, sec. 16). "No religious test or amount of property shall ever be required as a qualification for any office of public trust under the State. No religious test or amount of property shall ever be required as a qualification of any voter at any election in this State; nor shall any person be rendered incompetent to give evidence in any court of law or equity in consequence of his opinion upon the subject of religion" (bill of rights, art. I, sec. 17). MISSISSIPPI (CONSTITUTION OF 1890; 1958 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking his blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this constitution" (preamble to constitution). "No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state" (art. 14, sec. 265). (b) Freedom of religion "No religious test as a qualification for office shall be required; and no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship; but the free enjoyment of all religious sentiments and the different modes of worship shall be held sacred. The rights hereby secured shall not be construed to justify acts of licentiousness injurious to morals or dangerous to the peace and safety of the state, or to exclude the Holy Bible from use in any public school of this state" (bill of rights, art. 3, sec. 18). "[The legislature] may provide for * ** religious worship for the convicts" (art. 9, sec. 225). "No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state" (art. 14, sec. 265). MISSOURI (CONSTITUTION OF 1945; 1961 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness *** [establish this Constitution]" (preamble to constitution). "That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to workship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences ** (bill of rights, art. I, sec. 5). (b) Freedom of religion "That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; that no human authority can control or interfere with the rights of conscience; that no person shall, on account of his religious persuasion or belief, be rendered ineligible to any public office of trust or profit in this state, be disqualified from testifying or serving as a juror, or be molested in his person or estate; but this section shall not be construed to excuse acts of licentiousness, nor to justify practices inconsistent with the good order, peace, or safety of the state, or with the rights of others" (bill of rights, art. I, sec. 5). MONTANA (CONSTITUTION OF 1889; 1961 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty (establish this Constitution) ***" (preamble to constitution). (b) Freedom of religion "The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without support any ministry * * * against his consent; nor shall any preference be denied any civil or political right or privilege on account of his opinions concerning religion, but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness *** or justify practices inconsistent with the good order, peace, or safety of the state *** No person shall be required to attend any place of worship or support any ministry * * *against his consent: nor shall any preference be given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship" (art. III, sec. 4). NEBRASKA (CONSTITUTION OF 1875; 1951 SUPPLEMENT) (a) God, Supreme Being "We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, *** [establish this Constitution]" (preamble to constitution). "All persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences *** (bill of rights, art. I, sec. 4). (b) Freedom of religion "All persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences. No person shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship against his consent, and no preference shall be given by law to any religious society, nor shall any interference with the rights of conscience be permitted. No religious test shall be required as a qualification for office, nor shall any person be incompetent to be a witness on account of his religious belief; but nothing herein shall be construed to dispense with oaths and affirmations. Religion, morality, and knowledge, however, being essential to good government, it shall be the duty of the legislature to pass suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship, and to encourage schools and the means of instruction" (bill of rights, art. I, sec. 4). |