Eleanor Finch
The number of times God is mentioned in a constitution varies depending on the country. For example, the US Constitution never explicitly mentions God or the divine, but the same cannot be said of the nation's state constitutions. God is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall, according to a Pew Research Center analysis. On the other hand, the constitutions of countries like Estonia and Croatia make no reference to God, instead emphasizing secular values such as liberty, justice, and law. The invocation of God in constitutions has sparked debates about the role of religion in government, with some arguing for a separation of church and state, while others view it as a source of moral and civic virtue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times God is mentioned in the US Constitution | 0 |
| Number of times God is mentioned in the Declaration of Independence | 4 |
| Number of times God is mentioned in state constitutions | 190+ |
| Number of state constitutions that mention God | 46 |
| Number of state constitutions that do not mention God | 4 |
| Number of times God is mentioned in Massachusetts' constitution | 8 |
| Number of times God is mentioned in New Hampshire's constitution | 6 |
| Number of times God is mentioned in Vermont's constitution | 6 |
| Number of times God is mentioned in Connecticut's constitution | 1 |
| Number of times God is mentioned in Hawaii's constitution | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
God is mentioned in state constitutions, but not in the US Constitution
The United States Constitution never explicitly mentions God or the divine. However, this cannot be said for the nation's state constitutions, where God or the divine is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions, with nearly 200 mentions overall. All but four state constitutions—Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington—use the word "God" at least once.
The constitutions of Colorado, Iowa, and Washington refer to a "Supreme Being" or "Supreme Ruler of the Universe," while Hawaii's constitution mentions the divine only in its preamble, which states that the people of Hawaii are "grateful for Divine Guidance." Most state constitutions—34—refer to God more than once. Of the 116 times the word appears in state constitutions, eight are in the Massachusetts constitution, and New Hampshire and Vermont have six references each. In addition to the 116 mentions of God, there are also 14 mentions of a Supreme or Sovereign Being, seven mentions of "Creator," three mentions of "providence," four mentions of "divine," and 46 instances of the word "almighty."
The inclusion of God in state constitutions is consistent with the Declaration of Independence, which includes four religious references: "Nature's God," "Creator," "Supreme Judge of the world," and "divine Providence." The mention of God in state constitutions also reflects the long tradition of invocationes dei in European legal history outside of national constitutions. In ancient times and the Middle Ages, gods or God were invoked in contracts and legal documents to guarantee agreements and emphasize fairness and justice. Treaties between Christian nations also customarily began with an invocation of God until the late 19th century.
While the US Constitution does not mention God, it guarantees the "free exercise" of religion and prohibits "abridging freedom of speech." States and localities must protect freedom of religious expression in the public square. The absence of a mention of God in the US Constitution does not imply a rejection of religion or a demand for a less religious nation. Instead, it reflects a commitment to religious freedom and the protection of individual liberty for minority faiths.
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The US Constitution mentions 'religion' twice, but not God
The United States Constitution does not explicitly mention God or the divine. However, it mentions religion twice. Firstly, the Constitution forbids any religious test for public office. Secondly, the First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." These sixteen words have become the cornerstone of religious freedom in America. The Founding Fathers intended to create a government ruled by the people, not an elite person or persons, and to ensure religious freedom and tolerance in a nation with a broad spectrum of faiths.
The absence of a reference to God in the US Constitution is notable, especially considering that God is mentioned at least four times in the Declaration of Independence, including in its opening lines: "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
The Founding Fathers had diverse religious backgrounds, including Puritans, Anglicans, Quakers, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and Jewish congregations. It is believed that 51 of the 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention held Christian beliefs, and Benjamin Franklin, a proclaimed Deist, gave a call to prayer with several references to scripture. Despite their religious beliefs, the Founding Fathers did not want the new national government to interfere in religious affairs or conscience.
While the US Constitution does not mention God, God is referenced in every state constitution. According to a Pew Research Center analysis, God or the divine is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall. These references to God in state constitutions often acknowledge God as the source of people's liberties and invoke His favour and guidance.
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The US Constitution is not a Christian document
The United States Constitution does not mention God or Christianity, or any specific religion. The First Amendment bars congressional establishment of any religion, along with guaranteeing the free exercise of religion. The Constitution prohibits any religious test for office. The document instead makes reference to secular values such as "liberty, justice and law".
The Declaration of Independence, on the other hand, famously proclaims that people's rights come from a "Creator" and "Nature's God", reflecting a general theism that could be acceptable to Christians, Unitarians, deists and others. The Declaration invokes a Supreme Being several times. The US Constitution, however, does not mention a higher power even once.
The omission of God in the US Constitution was a point of contention for many believers in a Christian America, who were some of the strongest opponents of ratifying the Constitution. The founding fathers had varying beliefs, with some conventional Christians among them, but the belief in a deity implied in the Declaration was likely universal among the delegates.
The concept of a Christian America is a complex one, with different interpretations. Some see the founding documents as influenced by or compatible with Protestant ideas, while others believe the founders sought to banish religion from public life. The founders' intentions are still debated, with some believing they intended to create a Christian nation, and others disagreeing. The US Constitution, however, does not mention God and was designed to protect religious freedom.
While the US Constitution does not mention God, some state constitutions do. These include California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, Washington, and the territory of Puerto Rico. These states generally use an invocation of "God the Almighty" or the "Supreme Ruler of the Universe".
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The US Declaration of Independence mentions God
The United States Declaration of Independence mentions God four times. The first mention of God in the document acknowledges Him as the source of power, stating that the "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" entitle the people to their political station. This reference to God as the grantor of power is significant as it recognises that the authority to establish a nation comes from God.
The second reference to God in the Declaration of Independence is as the Creator, Who bestows upon humans their unalienable rights. This concept of God as the source of natural law and inalienable rights is further reflected in the US Constitution, which guarantees certain fundamental rights and protections.
The third mention of God in the Declaration occurs when the founders appeal to the "Supreme Judge of the World" for the rectitude of their intentions. This invocation of God as the ultimate authority underscores the seriousness and righteousness of their cause.
Finally, the last sentence of the Declaration of Independence expresses a "firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence," indicating the founders' trust and belief in God's ongoing protection and guidance.
It is interesting to note that while the Declaration of Independence includes multiple references to God, the United States Constitution does not contain any explicit mentions of God. This contrast has sparked debates about the role of religion in the United States and the intentions of the Founding Fathers. Some have speculated that the omission of God in the Constitution could be attributed to the different delegates involved in drafting the documents or a shift in religious sentiments.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that several state constitutions, such as those of Maine and Washington, do include references to God, often acknowledging Him as the "Sovereign Ruler of the Universe" or the "Supreme Ruler of the Universe." These state constitutions also emphasise popular sovereignty and the liberties granted by God.
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Other countries' constitutions mention God
The United States Constitution does not mention God, although it does include the phrase "the year of our Lord". The US motto, "In God We Trust", was only adopted in the 1950s, and the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a state religion. However, God is mentioned in the constitutions of 46 out of 50 states, with 116 mentions overall.
The United Kingdom does not have a codified constitution, but the documents that are understood to comprise it, such as the Magna Carta, contain numerous references to God. The UK's national anthem is "God Save the King/Queen", and the monarch is the head of the Anglican Church.
Other countries whose constitutions mention God include Canada, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and several US territories and former Soviet republics. References to God in these constitutions are known as invocationes dei or nominatio dei in Latin and are often used to legitimize state power by associating it with divine will.
In contrast, some countries have specifically avoided mentioning God in their constitutions, including Australia, New Zealand, and several newly independent nations in Eastern Europe and Asia that adopted democratic constitutions in the early 1990s.
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Frequently asked questions
God is not explicitly mentioned in the US Constitution. However, the word "religion" appears twice. Once when the Constitution forbids any religious test for public office and again in the First Amendment, which says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
God or the divine is referenced in every state constitution in the US and mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions. There are nearly 200 mentions overall.
Some argue that the authors of the Constitution mention God implicitly by referencing "the Year of Our Lord 1787" in the ratification clause. However, skeptics dismiss this as a mere custom of the time.
Yes, the Declaration of Independence mentions God several times. The state constitutions also largely imitate the references to God in the Declaration.
Yes, God is referenced in the constitutions of several European countries and Islamic countries. For example, the constitutions of Ireland, Canada, Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Russia all mention God or make references to spiritual heritage.
