Eleanor Finch
The topic of whether the word God appears in the Constitution has been a subject of debate in the United States since its founding in 1776. While the Declaration of Independence makes several references to a Supreme Being, the US Constitution takes a more secular approach and does not explicitly mention God. However, it does use the phrase the Year of our Lord in Article VII, which some interpret as an indirect reference to a deity. The absence of a direct mention of God in the US Constitution reflects the country's intention to maintain religious neutrality and separate church and state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the word God appear in the US Constitution? | No, the US Constitution does not mention God. However, it uses the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. |
| God in State Constitutions | Nearly all state constitutions reference either God or the divine. |
| God in Declarations of Independence | The Declaration of Independence contains several references to God. |
| God in European Constitutions | Several European states include references to God in their constitutions, while others, like France, do not, to preserve religious neutrality. |
| God in Post-Soviet Constitutions | Most of the newly independent nations of Eastern Europe and Asia that adopted new democratic constitutions in the early 1990s did not mention the supernatural in their preambles. |
| Campaigns to Recognize God in the US Constitution | There have been campaigns and proposals to recognize God in the US Constitution, especially during the Cold War era and after the 1963 Supreme Court ruling on school-sponsored prayer. |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution does not mention God
The absence of God in the US Constitution is not due to forgetfulness, as some have suggested. Instead, it reflects a deliberate choice to separate church and state. The First Amendment to the US Constitution specifically states that the country shall have no official religion, and Americans have debated the appropriate line between religion and government since the nation's founding. This separation of church and state is further evidenced by the fact that the US Constitution guarantees that religion can never be a requirement for holding public office.
However, it is important to note that the US Constitution does use the phrase "the Year of our Lord" in Article VII, which can be interpreted as a reference to God. Additionally, while the US Constitution does not mention God, nearly all state constitutions do reference either God or the divine. This discrepancy highlights the complex relationship between religion and government in the United States and the ongoing debate over the role of religion in the public sphere.
Throughout history, there have been campaigns to recognize God in the US Constitution, particularly during the Cold War when Americans were asked to contrast themselves with the godless Soviet Union. These campaigns sparked congressional action and resulted in numerous proposals to amend the Constitution to include a reference to God. However, these efforts have not succeeded, and the US Constitution remains secular, reflecting the Founding Fathers' intention to create a nation where government and religion are separate.
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The Declaration of Independence references God
The United States Constitution does not contain any reference to God. This was a deliberate omission by the Founding Fathers, who remembered the history of divine rights of kings and theocratic governments in Europe. The Founding Fathers wanted to avoid endorsing any appropriation of God in the charter that was to become the Constitution. This became known as the doctrine of separation of church and state.
However, the Declaration of Independence, which was signed on July 4th, contains several references to God. The first mention of God occurs in the very first sentence of the declaration, which refers to the source of power being the "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God". The beginning of this powerful document openly acknowledges that the power to establish a nation was given to the founders by God. The Declaration goes on to refer to God as the “Creator” who endows humans with unalienable rights, including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". The rightness of the American cause was also left to God as the “Supreme Judge of the World", to whom Congress appealed for the "rectitude of their intentions". The final sentence of the declaration says:
> "With a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
The founders entrusted themselves to God, whom they believed had protected them and would continue to do so. From beginning to end, the Declaration of Independence displays the founders' understanding of and trust in God.
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State constitutions reference God
The US Constitution does not include the word "God" or a direct reference to God. However, it does make reference to “the year of our Lord” and mentions the word “Christian” seven times.
While the US Constitution does not explicitly mention God, state constitutions do reference God or the divine. According to sources, God or the divine is mentioned in all 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall. Only four state constitutions do not use the word "God" explicitly—Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington. However, these states still include some form of religious reference, such as "Supreme Being", "Supreme Ruler of the Universe", or "Divine Guidance".
The inclusion of religious references in state constitutions has sparked debate, as some argue that it conflicts with the separation of church and state. On the other hand, others argue that these references are consistent with the Declaration of Independence, which includes four religious references: "Nature's God", "Creator", "Supreme Judge of the world", and "divine Providence".
Some state constitutions also explicitly prohibit those who do not believe in God from holding public office. However, these bans are generally not enforced, as they are assumed to violate the US Constitution's prohibition on religious tests for public officeholders.
- Alabama's constitution mentions "Almighty God" and "Creator".
- Alaska's constitution expresses gratitude to God and those who founded the nation.
- Arizona's constitution also mentions "Almighty God".
- Georgia's constitution mentions "Almighty God" and "Sovereign Ruler of the Universe".
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The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion
The United States Constitution does not include a direct reference to God. However, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. This differs from the Declaration of Independence, which invokes a Supreme Being several times. The omission of any mention of a higher power in the Constitution may seem odd at first, but it reflects the intention to keep government and religion separate.
The First Amendment to the US Constitution explicitly states that the country shall have no official religion. This amendment guarantees freedom of religion by ensuring that the government cannot establish or favour any particular religious belief or practice over others. It also protects the free exercise of religion, meaning individuals are free to practise their faith without interference from the state.
The separation of church and state is a fundamental principle in the US, and it has been a topic of ongoing debate since the country's founding. This separation is not meant to create an empty, godless public square, but rather to protect religious freedom by ensuring that the government does not favour or promote any particular religious viewpoint. The Constitution guarantees that religion can never be a requirement for holding public office, and this is reflected in the diversity of religious beliefs among those in Congress.
While the Constitution does not mention God, nearly all state constitutions reference either God or the divine. Additionally, references to God are present in other important American texts and traditions, such as the Pledge of Allegiance, on US currency, and in the swearing-in of presidents, who traditionally seal their oath of office with the phrase "so help me God."
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The Constitution does not demand a godless public square
The United States Constitution does not mention God, unlike nearly all state constitutions and the Declaration of Independence. However, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII, which is not considered a direct reference to the Christian God. The First Amendment to the Constitution also states that the country shall have no official religion, guaranteeing that religion can never be a requirement for holding public office.
The absence of a direct reference to God in the Constitution is notable, especially given that the Founding Fathers invoked a Supreme Being several times in the Declaration of Independence. This may seem odd at first, but it is important to understand the context and intentions of the drafters of the Constitution. They took a more secular approach, recognizing the need to separate church and state and ensure religious freedom for all Americans.
The Constitution's secular nature does not demand a godless public square. Instead, it aims to keep government and religion separate while allowing for religious expression and freedom. This is evident in the historical use of government buildings for religious services and the inclusion of religious tests for public office in some states. Additionally, most presidents have been sworn in with a Bible, sealing their oath with "so help me God."
While the Constitution does not mention God, it also does not require a strict separation of church and state. The Founding Fathers intended to prevent the establishment of an official religion or theocracy while allowing for religious expression and freedom. This is further supported by the fact that Congress has traditionally been overwhelmingly Christian, and religious symbols and prayers have been the subject of debate in recent Supreme Court rulings.
In conclusion, the Constitution's lack of reference to God does not demand a godless public square. Instead, it reflects the Founding Fathers' intention to protect religious freedom and prevent government interference in religion. The Constitution allows for religious expression while ensuring that the government remains neutral on religious matters. This balance between church and state is a fundamental aspect of American democracy.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the word "God" does not appear in the US Constitution. However, the phrase "the year of our Lord" is used in Article VII.
The US Constitution was written with a more secular approach than the Declaration of Independence, which contains several references to God. The Founding Fathers wanted to separate church and state, and the First Amendment to the US Constitution states that the country shall have no official religion.
Yes, there have been several campaigns and proposals to add God to the US Constitution. For example, in 1863, a group of ministers proposed a revised version of the Preamble that referenced God, and in the 1940s and 1950s, there was a surge of proposals due to the Cold War and the contrast with the "godless Soviet Union."
