Jonah Patel
The word creator does not appear in the US Constitution. However, the phrase endowed by their Creator appears in the Declaration of Independence, which has been declared by Congress to be part of the Organic Law of the United States. This phrase is significant as it acknowledges a Creator as the source of unalienable rights that governments are formed to secure. While the US Constitution does not explicitly mention creator, it does refer to the year of our Lord, and the concept of creator-endowed rights is considered a foundational principle of the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the word "creator" appear in the US Constitution? | No |
| Does the word "creator" appear in state constitutions? | Yes |
| Number of mentions of "creator" in state constitutions | 7 |
| Number of mentions of "God" in state constitutions | 116 |
| Number of mentions of "God" or the divine in state constitutions | Nearly 200 |
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What You'll Learn
The word 'creator' does not appear in the US Constitution
The word "creator" does not appear in the US Constitution. This fact contradicts the claim made by Michael Flynn, a right-wing conspiracy theorist and former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, who asserted that the word "creator" appears in the Constitution four times. Flynn made this statement during a campaign rally in support of MAGA pastor Jackson Lahmeyer in Oklahoma.
Flynn's assertion is incorrect, and it is important to clarify that the word "creator" is absent from the US Constitution. However, it is worth noting that the concept of a "creator" or "Creator-Endowed Rights" has been associated with the foundation of America and its Constitution. This idea is reflected in the Declaration of Independence, where Thomas Jefferson wrote about unalienable rights endowed by the Creator, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
While the US Constitution itself does not contain the word "creator," references to God or the divine are prevalent in state constitutions. According to a Pew Research Center analysis, God or the divine is mentioned in all 50 state constitutions, with a total of nearly 200 mentions. The word "creator" specifically appears seven times across these state constitutions.
The discrepancy between the absence of the word "creator" in the US Constitution and its presence in state constitutions highlights an interesting aspect of the country's political and religious landscape. It suggests that while the founding generation may have envisioned a nation with a separation of church and state, the influence of religious beliefs on governance is still evident at the state level.
In conclusion, it is clear that the word "creator" does not appear in the US Constitution, contrary to the claims made by Michael Flynn. However, the concept of creator-endowed rights has been associated with the foundation of America, and references to God or the divine are prevalent in state constitutions.
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The word 'creator' appears in the Declaration of Independence
The word "creator" does not appear in the US Constitution. However, it does appear in the Declaration of Independence. The phrase "endowed by their Creator" appears once in the Declaration of Independence, with the full sentence reading:
> "That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
This sentence is one of the most memorable and yet controversial statements in English prose. It was written by Thomas Jefferson, and it applies to Americans of his time and beyond. According to Jefferson, it is a self-evident truth that people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Jefferson implies that other rights, beyond these three, are part of God's endowment. This understanding was also part of the "American Mind", and it can be seen codified in the Ninth Amendment.
The acknowledgement that rights are endowed by a Creator is considered the very foundation of the US Constitution. The Declaration of Independence recognises a Creator as the source of the unalienable rights that governments are formed to secure.
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State constitutions reference God or the divine
The inclusion of religious references in state constitutions has varied across history and geography. While the US Constitution does not make a reference to God as such, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. It also mentions the year of our Lord in the Declaration of Independence.
In contrast, all 50 state constitutions in the US mention God or the divine at least once, and nearly 200 times overall. Massachusetts and North Carolina topped the list with the highest number of religious references, with eight and seven mentions, respectively. Vermont and New Hampshire, which are among the least religious states in the country, also have six references each. Interestingly, the only states that do not use the word "God" are Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington, but they include some form of religious reference, such as "Supreme Being," "Supreme Ruler of the Universe," or "Divine Guidance."
The inclusion of God or the divine in state constitutions can serve various purposes. Historically, invocations of God in constitutions were used to legitimize governmental power by declaring it to be exercised according to God's will. It also expressed the divine right of kings in early 19th-century monarchic national constitutions. In modern times, references to God in democratic constitutions, such as the German constitution of 1949, have been interpreted as a commitment to Christian teachings.
In some cases, state constitutions explicitly prohibit those who do not believe in God from holding public office. However, these bans are generally not enforced due to the US Constitution's prohibition on religious tests for public officeholders. The presence of religious references in state constitutions has sparked debates about the separation of church and state, with some activist groups working to strike down legislative invocations and remove traditional imagery from memorials.
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The concept of creator-endowed rights
The concept of "creator-endowed rights" is an enduring and foundational aspect of America's political and legal systems, despite the word "creator" not appearing in the US Constitution. This idea is derived from the Declaration of Independence, which states that individuals are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights". This phrase, penned by Thomas Jefferson, is considered one of the most memorable and influential statements in English prose.
The specific rights endowed by the Creator, according to Jefferson, include "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness". These rights are deemed so fundamental and inherent that they are often referred to as "natural rights". The Ninth Amendment reflects the understanding that there may be other natural rights beyond these three, as it acknowledges the existence of additional rights not explicitly mentioned.
While the US Constitution does not explicitly mention the word "creator", it acknowledges the existence of a higher power by referring to "the year of our Lord". This phrase is used to denote the current year and is separate from the mentions of "Lord" in state constitutions, which often refer to God. State constitutions across the country provide further evidence of the recognition of a divine entity, with references to God, a Supreme or Sovereign Being, the "Creator", and the "Almighty".
In conclusion, the concept of creator-endowed rights holds significant weight in the American consciousness, influencing the interpretation and application of rights and liberties outlined in the Constitution and its amendments. Despite varying levels of religious observance across states, the idea of rights endowed by a Creator remains a fundamental aspect of America's founding principles and legal framework.
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Michael Flynn's false claim about the Constitution
Michael Flynn, a right-wing conspiracy theorist and former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, made a false claim about the US Constitution during a campaign rally for MAGA pastor Jackson Lahmeyer in Oklahoma. Flynn asserted that the word "Creator" appears in the Constitution four times, stating, "That's why the word 'Creator' is in the Constitution four times. 'We are endowed by our Creator.'".
However, this claim is entirely false. The word "Creator" does not appear even once in the US Constitution. The phrase "endowed by their Creator" appears in the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution. Flynn's false statement is particularly notable given his prominent role in the "Stop the Steal" campaign and his promotion of the "Big Lie" that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump.
Flynn has a history of controversial statements and actions, including his suggestion that Trump should suspend the Constitution, silence the press, and hold a new election under military authority. He has also been investigated by the FBI for his contacts with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign and transition period, pleading guilty to making false statements to FBI investigators. Additionally, Flynn has become a leader in the Christian nationalist movement, characterizing the current political climate as a spiritual war.
While the US Constitution does not mention "Creator," it is worth noting that references to God or the divine are prevalent in state constitutions. According to a Pew Research Center analysis, God or the divine is mentioned in all 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall. The specific word "Creator" appears seven times across these state constitutions.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the word "creator" does not appear in the US Constitution.
The phrase "endowed by their Creator" appears in the Declaration of Independence.
Yes, the word "creator" appears in some state constitutions. There are seven mentions of the word "creator" across all state constitutions.
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