Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution does not explicitly mention the words under God, however, the topic of religion and its place in the Constitution has been widely debated. The Constitution does not demand a religious or secular nation, and the First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion as well as freedom from religion. The Founding Fathers were members of various Christian denominations, and the Declaration of Independence mentions God four times, stating that rights come from the Creator. The Constitution does use the formula the year of our Lord in Article VII, and there is an oblique reference to a deity in the signatory section.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| References to God in the constitution | The US Constitution does not include the name of God or any reference to a supreme deity. |
| The US Constitution does make reference to "the year of our Lord". | |
| The Declaration of Independence mentions God four times and says that rights come from the Creator. | |
| The US Motto, "In God We Trust", is a summary of the country's founding as "One Nation Under God". | |
| Religion in government | Some claim that any mention of God in government is "unconstitutional". |
| The US Constitution guarantees freedom of religion as well as freedom from religion. | |
| The US Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993, based on the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution. | |
| Some state constitutions prohibit non-believers from holding public office. | |
| The US Constitution is predicated on the Declaration of Independence, which mentions God. | |
| The US Constitution does not demand a less religious nation and society. | |
| The US Constitution is ordained to God. | |
| References to God in other constitutions | References to God are found in the constitutions of several European countries and Islamic countries. |
| References to God are found in the constitutions of all ex-Soviet republics and dependent states except Hungary and Ukraine. | |
| The constitutions of Norway, Luxembourg, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain do not make reference to God. |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution does not mention God
The United States Constitution does not mention God. The Founding Fathers deliberately chose not to include any reference to God or a supreme deity in the Constitution. This omission was not accidental. The Founding Fathers were aware of the history of divine rights of kings and theocratic governments in Europe and proceeded with caution before endorsing any appropriation of God in the charter. This omission became known as the doctrine of separation of church and state.
The US Constitution is predicated on the Declaration of Independence, which mentions God four times and states that the nation's rights come from the Creator. The Declaration of Independence also refers to "the laws of Nature and of Nature's God". The US Constitution, on the other hand, is based on the theory of popular sovereignty, which holds that the government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed, not from a higher power. The opening words of the Preamble, "We the People of the United States", emphasise that the government is established by and for the people.
While the US Constitution does not explicitly mention God, it does include the phrase "the year of our Lord" in Article VII, which is a common reference to Jesus Christ found in many legal documents of the time. This phrase is also found in the signatory section of the Constitution, dated "Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of Our Lord, 1787". Some interpret this as an oblique reference to a deity, while others dismiss it as a custom of the era.
The absence of a direct mention of God in the US Constitution has been a topic of debate, with some arguing that it reflects a commitment to secular values and religious neutrality, while others point to the religious beliefs of the Founding Fathers and the references to God in other important documents such as the Declaration of Independence.
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The US Constitution is ordained to God
The United States Constitution is a secular document that does not explicitly mention God or any other deity. However, it is important to note that the Constitution is influenced by religious and spiritual beliefs, and some interpret it as being "ordained to God." This interpretation stems from various factors, including historical context, the religious beliefs of the founding fathers, and the presence of religious language in other foundational documents.
Firstly, the historical context played a significant role in shaping the Constitution's relationship with religion. During the time of the Constitution's drafting, religion was widely considered a public good, and government buildings were often used for religious services. Federalism also allowed individual states to decide whether to be religious or not, and many states had established churches. This religious backdrop influenced the founders' thinking and worldview, even if they deliberately chose not to establish a theocracy.
Secondly, the religious beliefs of the founding fathers themselves varied, but many of them were deeply religious. For example, Benjamin Franklin, who was not a Trinitarian, nonetheless advocated for seeking God's help during the Constitutional Convention. Additionally, the influence of philosophers such as John Locke and Sir William Blackstone, who wrote about "the laws of Nature and of Nature's God," cannot be overstated. These men shaped the founders' thinking and helped lay the intellectual groundwork for the Constitution.
Lastly, while the US Constitution itself does not explicitly mention God, other foundational documents from the same era do. The Declaration of Independence, for instance, mentions God four times and asserts that our rights come from the Creator. The state constitutions of Georgia, Maine, and Arizona also explicitly invoke God, expressing gratitude for liberties granted by "the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe" and seeking God's aid and direction. The US motto, "In God We Trust," further reflects the influence of religion in the nation's founding.
In conclusion, while the US Constitution is a secular document that does not explicitly mention God, interpreting it as "ordained to God" acknowledges the religious and spiritual underpinnings that influenced its creation. The religious beliefs of the founding fathers, the historical context of the time, and the presence of religious language in other foundational documents all contribute to this interpretation. The US Constitution, therefore, exists within a complex tapestry of religious, philosophical, and secular ideals that shaped the nation's early history.
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The US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence
However, it is important to note that the Constitution does include an oblique reference to a deity in the signatory section, which reads, "Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of Our Lord, etc.". This type of reference to God in a legal text is known as invocatio dei ('invocation of God') and has a long tradition in European legal history. Additionally, the US Constitution mentions "the year of our Lord" in Article VII, and the Bill of Rights includes the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of religion as well as freedom from religion.
The question of whether the US Constitution should be interpreted as supporting a covenant with God or a "'naked public square' of secularism is a subject of ongoing debate. Some argue that the absence of explicit religious references in the Constitution demands a secular interpretation, while others point to the historical and traditional role of religion in American society and government. The US Motto, "In God We Trust," reflects the inclusion of religious values in the nation's founding.
In conclusion, while the US Constitution does not explicitly mention God in the same way as the Declaration of Independence, it does contain oblique references to a deity and reflects the complex interplay between religious and secular values in American society. The interpretation of the Constitution's relationship with religion continues to be a subject of discussion and debate.
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The US Constitution and the role of religion
The role of religion in the United States has been a topic of debate and controversy. The country's founding fathers venerated them, with academics, legislators, judges, and citizens seeking to validate their opinions and prescriptions by identifying with them. The US Constitution, which established a strong national government, does not make a direct reference to God. This was a deliberate omission by the framers, who were cautious about endorsing any appropriation of God in the charter, remembering the history of divine rights of kings and theocratic governments in Europe. Instead, the government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed, reflecting the theory of popular sovereignty.
However, some argue that the Constitution does mention God, specifically in the ratification clause, which reads, "in the Year of Our Lord" 1787. This formula, "the year of our Lord," is also used in Article VII of the federal constitution and is considered an oblique reference to a deity, common in the 18th century. Additionally, the Declaration of Independence, one of the key founding documents, mentions God four times and states that rights come from the Creator.
The absence of a direct reference to God in the US Constitution is in contrast to the constitutions of several other nations, particularly in Europe and Islamic countries, where references to God or invocations of God are common, often in the preamble. These references are seen as serving a historical function, perpetuating the tradition of invocations of God in older constitutions and establishing the general conception of statehood. In the US, at the state level, the constitutions of many states also make multiple references to God, a Supreme or Sovereign Being, the "Creator," and the "Almighty."
The US Constitution guarantees freedom of religion as well as freedom from religion, explicitly stated in the First Amendment. This separation of church and state is a fundamental principle in the US, ensuring that religious Americans are not considered better Americans and that all Americans are equal under the Constitution. The Constitution's role, therefore, is to provide a framework for the nation's functioning while allowing for religious diversity and freedom of conscience.
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The US Constitution and the Founding Fathers
The United States Constitution is a document that established a strong national government, with its legitimacy derived from the consent of the governed. It is a declaration of popular sovereignty, with its famous opening words, "We the People of the United States," emphasizing self-governance. Notably, the US Constitution does not explicitly include the words "under God." However, the role of religion and the influence of the Founding Fathers in shaping the nation's values are essential to understand.
The Founding Fathers of the United States are revered and frequently referenced in debates about the nation's values and policies. The question of the role of religion in the country's foundation is complex. While the Constitution itself does not explicitly mention God or a supreme deity, it does contain an oblique reference to a deity in the signatory section, reading, "Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of Our Lord [Year]." This phrase is considered a customary reference to a higher power rather than a direct endorsement of religion.
It is important to recognize that the Founding Fathers were influenced by various factors, including the philosophies of the Age of Enlightenment and the religious beliefs of their time. Many of them were members of Christian denominations, and some were even presidents and founders of Bible societies. Benjamin Franklin, for instance, delivered a speech during the Constitutional Convention, reminding his peers of the importance of seeking God's help.
Additionally, while the Constitution does not explicitly mention God, other influential documents from the nation's early history do. The Declaration of Independence, for example, mentions God four times and asserts that people's rights come from the Creator. John Locke's writings, including "The Reasonableness of Christianity," also influenced the Founding Fathers. Sir William Blackstone, a British jurist often quoted by the US Supreme Court, wrote about "the laws of Nature and of Nature's God."
In conclusion, while the US Constitution does not explicitly include the words "under God," the Founding Fathers' religious beliefs and values influenced the nation's early documents and governance. The oblique reference to a deity in the Constitution, the religious references in the Declaration of Independence, and the influence of Enlightenment-era philosophers and theologians on the Founding Fathers all contribute to a complex understanding of the role of religion in the foundation of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US Constitution does not include the words "under God". However, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII.
No, but the Declaration of Independence mentions God four times and says that rights come from the Creator.
Yes, several countries include references to God in their Constitutions, most often in the preamble. For example, the Constitution of Ireland includes an invocation of God and Jesus in its preamble.
Some people believe that the US Constitution includes a reference to God in the ratification clause, which reads "in the Year of Our Lord" 1787.
