Simone Lawson
The number of times God is named in the US Constitution has been a topic of interest, especially given the religious diversity in America. The US Constitution is considered a secular document, and unlike the Declaration of Independence, it does not directly mention God. However, it does use the formula the year of our Lord in Article VII, which is a common way of recording dates at the time. While the US Constitution does not explicitly refer to God, nearly all state constitutions do, with God or the divine being mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times God is named in the US Constitution | 0 |
| Number of times God is named in the US state constitutions | At least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall |
| Number of state constitutions that do not name God | 4 (Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington) |
| Number of state constitutions that refer to a "Supreme Being" or "Supreme Ruler of the Universe" | 4 Colorado, Iowa, Washington, and Maine |
| Number of state constitutions that mention God more than once | 34 |
| Number of times the word "God" appears in state constitutions | 116 |
| Number of times the US Constitution mentions "the year of our Lord" | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution does not explicitly mention God
The United States Constitution does not explicitly mention God. While the nation's state constitutions refer to God or the divine at least once, the US Constitution is notably secular in its language. This absence of divine reference is intentional, reflecting the document's aim to separate government and religion while protecting religious beliefs and freedoms. The US Constitution sought to establish a government ruled by its people, rejecting monarchies and hereditary privilege.
Historically, invoking God in legal documents was common, particularly in ancient times, the Middle Ages, and even in treaties between Christian nations until the 19th century. However, when written constitutions became the norm, some countries, like France, chose religious neutrality, while others retained divine references. The US Constitution, influenced by Enlightenment ideals, opted for the former, recognising the diverse religious backgrounds of its founding population.
The absence of explicit references to God or religion in the US Constitution is significant. It underscores the document's intention to create a secular framework for governance, protecting the rights of citizens with varying beliefs. This approach stands in contrast to the Declaration of Independence, which mentions God four times, reflecting the founding fathers' belief in a moral truth originating from a supreme being.
While the US Constitution does not directly name God, some argue that it implies God's existence. For example, Article VII uses the formula "the year of our Lord," a common dating convention at the time. However, critics refute the religious implications, asserting that such phrases held no theological weight and were merely boilerplate terms.
The US Constitution's secular nature is further highlighted by the absence of God in the Preamble, where one might expect divine invocation. Instead, the Preamble affirms popular sovereignty, stating, "We the people of the United States..." This deliberate omission of God reflects the intention to establish a government rooted in the will of the people rather than divine authority.
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State constitutions refer to God and the divine
While the US Constitution does not explicitly mention God or the divine, the same cannot be said for the nation's state constitutions. Each of the 50 state constitutions mentions God or the divine at least once, and nearly 200 times 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." Hawaii's constitution mentions the divine only in its preamble, which states that the people of Hawaii are "grateful for Divine Guidance."
The inclusion of religious references in state constitutions has sparked debate, particularly in the context of the "separation of church and state." While some argue that these references violate the separation of church and state, it's important to note that the Constitution does not include this exact phrase. Instead, it guarantees that Congress will "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
The presence of God or the divine in state constitutions reflects the long tradition of invocationes dei in European legal history and the influence of religious faith on statehood. In ancient times and the Middle Ages, gods or God were commonly invoked in contracts and legal documents to emphasize fairness and justice. When written constitutions became the norm in the 19th century, some European states carried forward this tradition, while others, like laicist France, preserved religious neutrality.
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The US Constitution is ordained to God
The US Constitution does not explicitly mention or name God, Jesus Christ, or Christianity. However, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. The absence of religious references in the US Constitution is intentional, as the Founding Fathers did not want to establish a Christian nation. Instead, they created a system that allowed all religions, including Christianity, to exist and flourish without official sanction. This is evident in Article 6, which exempts government officeholders from religious tests, and in the First Amendment.
While the US Constitution itself does not directly invoke God, the concept of ordaining the Constitution to God stems from the inherent meaning of the word "ordain." This idea is further reinforced by the US motto, "In God We Trust," which summarizes the belief in a higher power that was prevalent during the nation's founding. The Declaration of Independence, which is not the law of the land like the Constitution, mentions God four times and reflects the founders' religious intent and beliefs in human rights and civil liberties.
The state constitutions of all 50 states in the US, except Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington, mention God or the divine at least once, and nearly 200 times overall. These references often acknowledge God as the Creator, Almighty God, or Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, and are usually found in the preambles. For example, the people of Arizona express their gratitude to Almighty God for their liberties in their constitution. Similarly, Georgia's and Maine's constitutions also invoke God's aid and direction in establishing their states and securing liberty for their citizens.
The inclusion of God in state constitutions follows a long tradition of invoking God in legal documents, such as contracts and treaties between Christian nations, to guarantee agreements and emphasize fairness and justice. While modern democratic constitutions vary in their approaches to mentioning God, with some opting for secular values, the US state constitutions largely imitate the references in the Declaration of Independence, acknowledging God while stopping short of dictating any particular religion.
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The US was not established as a Christian nation
The United States Constitution does not explicitly mention God or the divine. However, it uses the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. While the US Constitution does not reference God, the constitutions of all 50 states do.
Despite this, the US was not established as a Christian nation. The founding fathers were mostly theistic rationalists rather than traditional Christians, and they did not intend to create a Christian nation. The US Constitution serves to "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," as stated by Thomas Jefferson, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.
While some may argue that the US is a Christian nation due to its historical court rulings and the religious beliefs of those who formulated the nation's guiding document, it is important to note that the US Constitution takes precedence and does not favor any specific religion.
The concept of a "Christian nation" can be interpreted in various ways, and some respondents in a survey conducted by Pew Research Center expressed negative views of this idea, associating it with theocracy, bigotry, persecution, and authoritarianism. Additionally, the US Constitution's lack of reference to God is not an anomaly, as several modern democratic constitutions, including those of Norway, Luxembourg, Iceland, Italy, and Portugal, also do not mention God.
Furthermore, the US Constitution's First Amendment ensures freedom of religion, protecting the rights of individuals to practice their own faiths or choose not to follow any religion. This amendment reinforces the idea that the US was not established as a Christian nation, as it guarantees religious freedom and prevents the government from favoring any particular religion.
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God is mentioned in state constitutions nearly 200 times
The US Constitution does not explicitly mention God or the divine. However, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. The phrase "our Lord" is not considered a reference to God, as it was a common term used to record dates at the time. The US Constitution is considered a secular document, aiming to separate government and religion while protecting religious beliefs and activities.
In contrast, God is referenced in every state constitution across the US. God or the divine is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times 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, expressing gratitude for "Divine Guidance."
Thirty-four state constitutions refer to God more than once. Of the 116 times the word appears, eight references are in the Massachusetts constitution, and New Hampshire and Vermont each have six references. The state constitutions of California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico also make references to God, typically using invocations like "God the Almighty" or the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe.
The inclusion of God in state constitutions reaffirms the assertions made in the Declaration of Independence about the divine origin of the people's liberty. It reflects the influence of Christianity and religion on the Founding Fathers, who based their arguments for independence on the laws of God and trusted in divine guidance for America.
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Frequently asked questions
God is not explicitly named in the US Constitution.
No, the US Constitution is a secular document that does not mention religion.
The US Constitution does not name God due to its religious neutrality and the importance it places on religious freedom.
The US Constitution uses the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. However, this phrase does not explicitly mention God and was a common way to record dates at the time.
Yes, many countries' constitutions mention God. For example, the Preamble of the Constitution of Ireland invokes God and Jesus, and this has been cited in Supreme Court rulings. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson's Bible and the Declaration of Independence both reference God.
