Eleanor Finch
The inclusion of God in the constitution varies across different countries. While some countries' countries' constitutions contain references to God, others do not. In the United States, for example, the federal constitution does not explicitly mention God, but it does use the formula the year of our Lord in Article VII. On the other hand, many state constitutions in the US make multiple references to God, with some of the least religious states having the most references. The constitutions of California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and several other states contain references to God or the divine. The presence or absence of religious references in a country's constitution often reflects its historical and cultural context, as well as the religious diversity and beliefs of its founding fathers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries with a reference to God in their constitution | 34 |
| Countries with a reference to God in their constitution | Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, and several other European and Islamic countries |
| Countries without a reference to God in their constitution | France, Norway, Luxembourg, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, United States |
| States with the most references to God in their constitutions | Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont |
| Other terms used as a reference to God | Supreme or Sovereign Being, Creator, Providence, Almighty, Lord, Christian |
| Number of mentions of God in state constitutions | 116 |
| Number of mentions of a Supreme or Sovereign Being in state constitutions | 14 |
| Number of mentions of "the year of our Lord" in the US Constitution | 1 |
| Number of mentions of the word Lord in state constitutions | 32 |
| Number of mentions of the word Christian in state constitutions | 7 |
| Number of mentions of the word religion in the US Constitution | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution and God
The US Constitution does not explicitly reference God. However, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. This is a holdover from ancient and medieval legal traditions in Europe, where legal documents often began with formulas such as "In the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" to emphasise the fairness and justness of the norms being established.
While the US Constitution does not mention God, many state constitutions do. All but four state constitutions—those of Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington—use the word "God" at least once. Some states refer to a “Supreme Being” or “Supreme Ruler of the Universe," while others have multiple references to the divine. For example, Massachusetts's constitution mentions God eight times. These references in state constitutions often restate the assertions made in the Declaration of Independence about the divine origin of the people's liberty.
The absence of a direct reference to God in the US Constitution was not an oversight or an explicit rejection of the concept of God. By the time of the Constitutional Convention, most of the nation believed that an establishment of religion violated religious liberty. The Founding Fathers acknowledged that religion promoted individual morality and civic virtue, but they wanted to prevent the new national government from interfering in matters of religion or conscience.
The inclusion of God in state constitutions and the absence of a direct reference in the US Constitution reflect the complex relationship between church and state in the US, with state governments taking varying approaches to the role of religion in public life.
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State constitutions and God
The US Constitution never explicitly mentions God or the divine. However, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. The US motto, "In God We Trust", was also ascribed into law in the 1950s but was not part of the original US Constitution.
In contrast, all 50 state constitutions either mention God or make a religious reference of some kind. 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. All but four state constitutions—Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington—use the word "God" at least once. The constitutions in Colorado, Iowa, and Washington refer to a "Supreme Being" or "Supreme Ruler of the Universe", while Hawaii's constitution mentions the divine in its preamble, which states that the people of Hawaii are "grateful for Divine Guidance".
Many states mention God in sections that refer to religious freedom. However, many of these refer to "Almighty God", which is an endorsement of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic deity. Several of the religious freedom sections also mention Christianity specifically. A handful of states have provisions that deny elective office to anyone who does not believe in God, and some also prohibit non-believers from serving as witnesses in trials. These provisions are probably not enforceable, and it is generally assumed that they violate the US Constitution's prohibition on requiring religious tests for those holding public office.
- The people of Alabama invoke the "favor and guidance of Almighty God" in their constitution.
- The people of Alaska are "grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land".
- The people of Arizona are "grateful to Almighty God for our liberties".
- The people of Illinois are "grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political, and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors".
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European constitutions and God
The inclusion of God in the constitutions of European countries is a divisive issue. Some countries, like France, have a constitution that is an example of absolute laicism, which is a political system excluding any ecclesiastical influence or control. The French constitution begins with "Freedom, equality and brotherliness" as the collective ideal of the French people, and the first Article explains that "France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social republic." Similarly, the constitutions of Norway (1814), Luxembourg (1868/1972), Iceland (1944/68), Italy (1947), Portugal (1976), and Spain (1978) do not make references to God.
On the other hand, some European countries do include references to God in their constitutions. Germany's constitution mentions "God" in its preamble: "Conscious of their responsibility before God and man, animated by this will [...], the German people have adopted, by virtue of their constituent power, this Basic Law." The German Protestant Church supported including this wording in the EU's new constitutional treaty, as it was argued that this would not have been a problem for Muslims or atheists. Poland's constitution also contains a reference to God in its preamble, stating that the Polish nation believes in God as the source of truth, justice, good, and beauty, while also respecting those universal values arising from other sources. Ukraine's constitutional preamble also contains a nominatio dei, or "naming of God."
The inclusion of a nominatio dei in the preamble to the proposed European Constitution was hotly debated, but the governments of the member states ultimately failed to reach a consensus for a reference to Christianity.
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Religion in schools
The US Constitution does not make an explicit reference to God. However, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. While the US Constitution does not mention God, several state constitutions do. The states that mention God in their constitutions 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".
The topic of religion in schools is a complex issue that has been the subject of much debate and legal scrutiny in the United States. The First Amendment to the US Constitution plays a crucial role in shaping the landscape of religion in schools. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favouring one religion over another. It also protects the free exercise of religion, ensuring that individuals are free to practise their faith without interference from the state.
In the context of public schools, the Establishment Clause has been interpreted to mean that schools may not promote or endorse a particular religion. This includes prescribing prayers to be recited by students or school authorities. However, schools must also maintain neutrality among faiths and not discriminate against private religious expression by students or staff. For example, schools may allow student choirs to perform music inspired by religious themes, provided it is not performed as a religious exercise or used to promote a specific religion. Schools may teach about religious holidays and their religious aspects, but they may not observe these holidays as religious events or promote their observance by students.
The free exercise of religion in schools is also protected under the First Amendment. This means that students and teachers have the right to hold and express their religious beliefs. In the landmark case Zorach v. Clauson, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a released-time program that allowed students to leave school for devotional activities or religious instruction during the school day. The Court found that the school was not endorsing a particular religion and was respecting the free exercise of religion.
In conclusion, while the US Constitution itself does not reference God, the topic of religion in schools is shaped by the First Amendment's Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause. These clauses ensure the separation of church and state while also protecting the freedom of individuals to hold and express their religious beliefs in the school setting. The interpretation and application of these clauses continue to evolve through legal challenges and Supreme Court rulings.
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Religion and civil authorities
The relationship between religion and civil authorities has been a subject of debate and discussion throughout history, with varying approaches taken by different countries and legal traditions. In the context of the United States Constitution, the question of whether there is a reference to God or a higher power is particularly intriguing given the country's religious diversity and the religious beliefs of its Founding Fathers.
The United States Constitution, at the federal level, does not explicitly mention or reference God. Instead, it lays out secular objectives, such as forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty. The Constitution is predicated on the Declaration of Independence, which does contain several references to God and asserts that people have God-given rights. This contrast between the two documents reflects the Founding Fathers' intention to create a secular framework for governance while acknowledging the role of religion in shaping their beliefs and values.
The absence of a direct reference to God in the US Constitution has been interpreted as a deliberate choice by the Founding Fathers to keep religion and civil authorities separate. By doing so, they ensured religious freedom and allowed for the diverse religious beliefs present in the country. This decision aligned with the Enlightenment philosophy espoused by some of the Founding Fathers, who believed in the importance of individual choice and freedom from religious imposition.
However, it is worth noting that the US Constitution does use the phrase "the year of our Lord," which can be considered a reference to the Christian calendar and, by extension, a nod to a higher power. Additionally, the state constitutions of various states within the US, such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, do include multiple references to God, the Creator, and other religious terms. These references reflect the influence of religion on the legal and cultural traditions of those states.
In other parts of the world, the relationship between religion and civil authorities in constitutions varies. Some countries, such as those with a strong tradition of established churches, include invocationes dei or "invocation of God" in their constitutions. On the other hand, countries like France and those influenced by its secular tradition have chosen to omit any mention of God to preserve state religious neutrality. The inclusion or exclusion of religious references in constitutions often reflects a country's historical context, cultural values, and the philosophical leanings of its founding documents.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US Constitution does not mention God. However, it does use the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. The word "religion" appears only twice in the Constitution.
Yes, God or the divine is referenced in every state constitution. Most state constitutions (34) refer to God more than once. There are 116 mentions of God, 14 mentions of a Supreme or Sovereign Being, seven mentions of "Creator", and so on.
Yes, some countries whose constitutions do not mention God include Norway (1814), Luxembourg (1868/1972), Iceland (1944/68), Italy (1947), Portugal (1976), and Spain (1978). These countries make reference to secular values such as "liberty, justice, and law" (Estonia) or "generally accepted principles in the modern world" (Croatia).
