Eleanor Finch
The inclusion of God in constitutions is a topic that has been widely debated, with some countries choosing to include references to God or a deity, while others opt for secular language. This variation can be observed in the constitutions of both nations and individual states, with some documents making multiple references to God and others omitting any mention. The reasons for including or excluding God in a constitution can be complex and influenced by historical, cultural, and religious factors, as well as a desire to maintain religious neutrality or uphold the separation of church and state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| References to God | 116 mentions of God, 14 mentions of a Supreme or Sovereign Being, 7 mentions of "Creator", 3 mentions of "providence", 4 mentions of "divine", 46 instances of the word "almighty", 32 mentions of the word "Lord" |
| Mentioning God in the preamble | The constitutions of Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro make no mention of the supernatural in the preamble. |
| Mentioning God in the Declaration of Independence | The Declaration of Independence mentions God four times, referring to God as "Nature's God", "Creator", "Supreme Judge of the World", and "divine Providence" |
| Purpose of mentioning God | Legitimizing the state, expressing governmental support for a specific religion, challenging the state through reference to suprapositive law and common values, anchoring the state in history and tradition |
| Purpose of not mentioning God | Creating a government of limited reach, avoiding government abuse of power, maintaining religious neutrality |
Explore related products
$22.49 $35
What You'll Learn
References to God in the US Declaration of Independence
The US Declaration of Independence, signed in July 1776, contains several references to a higher power. The document is regarded as a founding document of the United States, and its religious content has been the subject of much analysis and debate.
The first mention of God occurs in the declaration's opening sentence: "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God". This phrase acknowledges the source of power as God, implying that the power to establish a nation was given to the founders by God. The document's introduction states that these laws entitle the American people to "a separate and equal station among the powers of the earth".
The second reference to God is as the "Creator" who endows humans with "unalienable rights". This idea is expressed in the famous line: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Here, God is positioned as the author of natural law and the guarantor of human rights.
The third reference is to God as the "Supreme Judge of the World". In the conclusion, Congress appeals to this "Supreme Judge" for the rectitude of its intentions, again invoking the idea of divine providence: "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States".
The Declaration of Independence also alludes to the concept of divine providence, suggesting a belief that a higher power guides human events. The closing sentence of the document invokes "the protection of divine Providence", emphasising a shared commitment to "the support of this Declaration".
These references to a deity serve to validate the assertion of independence and reflect the belief that the cause of liberty and self-governance was not only a political aspiration but also a moral imperative grounded in a higher moral order. The generic nature of the appellations of God, such as "Nature's God", "Creator", and "Supreme Judge", also makes the text inclusive to adherents of various theistic sects.
The Multilingual Nature of India's Constitution
You may want to see also
The absence of God in the US Constitution
The US Constitution is a secular document that does not include direct references to God or the Christian religion. This absence of God in the Constitution contrasts with the Declaration of Independence, which mentions God four times, referring to "Nature's God," "Creator," "Supreme Judge of the World," and "divine Providence." The omission of God in the Constitution reflects the Founding Fathers' intention to create a government that respected religious freedom and avoided intruding into the lives of Americans.
While the Constitution does not include explicit references to God, it indirectly acknowledges a higher power through its recognition of inherent human rights and liberties. The Founding Fathers believed that these rights were "unalienable" and endowed by God, as Jefferson argued. However, they also recognized the need for a mechanism to actualize and protect these rights, which led to the creation of the Constitution and the establishment of the United States government.
The absence of God in the Constitution is notable, especially considering that many of the Founding Fathers believed in a moral and just God who rewarded good and punished evil. By excluding God from the Constitution, they sought to create a nation where religion could thrive according to the beliefs and energies of its citizens, rather than imposing a specific religious doctrine. This approach aligns with the First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
The Founding Fathers' decision to omit God from the Constitution can be understood in the context of historical and cultural influences. In ancient times and the Middle Ages, invocations of God were common in legal documents to emphasize fairness and justness. However, by the time modern states adopted written constitutions in the 19th century, some countries, like laicist France, chose to preserve religious neutrality by excluding references to God. The United States followed a similar approach, ensuring the separation of church and state.
In summary, the absence of God in the US Constitution reflects the Founding Fathers' intention to create a secular nation that respected religious freedom and avoided governmental intrusion into citizens' lives. While God is not directly mentioned, the Constitution indirectly acknowledges a higher power through its recognition of inherent human rights and liberties. The Founding Fathers' decision to exclude God from the Constitution was influenced by historical precedents and their desire to create a nation where religion could thrive without governmental imposition.
Britain's Unwritten Constitution: A Unique Legal Legacy
You may want to see also
The role of religion in the US
The US Constitution does not include a direct mention or reference to God. However, it does contain the phrase "the year of our Lord", and Article I, Section 7, mentions that no bill can be signed into law on a Sunday, which may be interpreted as a reference to God.
While the US Constitution does not include an explicit mention of God, it is worth noting that the founding fathers of the nation and the early constitutions of individual states did include references to God and religious tests. For instance, the Delaware preamble states:
> "Through Divine goodness, all people have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences, of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting reputation and property, and in general of obtaining objects suitable to their condition, without injury by one to another; and as these rights are essential to their welfare, for due exercise thereof, power is inherent in them; and therefore all just authority in the institutions of political society is derived from the people, and established with their consent, to advance their happiness; and they may for this end, as circumstances require, from time to time, alter their Constitution of the government."
Today, the role of religion in the US is a multifaceted topic. On one hand, a large majority of Americans perceive religion as a positive force and believe in its beneficial impact on society. They hold religious leaders in high regard and seek their guidance not only on spiritual matters but also on personal issues like parenting and finances. This is evident in the fact that most state constitutions refer to God, with 34 of them doing so more than once.
On the other hand, Americans want religious institutions to stay out of politics. They believe that churches and other houses of worship should refrain from expressing views on political matters and endorsing specific candidates during elections. This sentiment is reflected in the shift towards a clear separation of church and state in the US, with the country becoming less religious over time.
In conclusion, while the US Constitution itself does not explicitly mention God, the role of religion in the country is complex and evolving. Americans value the positive influence of religion in society while also advocating for a distinct separation between religious institutions and politics.
The UK's Constitution: Written or Unwritten?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The intentions of the Founding Fathers
The Founding Fathers of the United States were deeply concerned about the health of religion and its role in the nation they were creating. They were aware of the potential for government power to be abused and sought to avoid interference in the lives of Americans. This is reflected in the First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof".
While the Founding Fathers believed in a moral system of government, they did not want to establish a theocracy. They respected the moral teachings of Christ and hoped they would prosper among Americans and in the churches. They also understood the potential for power to be abused and wanted to avoid the government crushing individuals or groups, as had happened in the past.
The Founding Fathers' intentions are reflected in the Constitution, which makes no mention of God or the Christian religion in its laws. Instead, the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the free exercise thereof. This is in contrast to the Declaration of Independence, which invokes God four times, referring to "Nature's God", "Creator", "Supreme Judge of the World", and "divine Providence".
The Founding Fathers' decision to omit references to God or Christianity in the Constitution may be attributed to their desire to create a government that was limited in reach and respectful of individual liberties, including religious freedom. They wanted to establish a nation where religion could thrive according to the energies of believers, rather than being imposed or restricted by the government.
However, it is worth noting that the state constitutions of the time included various religious tests, and some states still have these on the books today. Additionally, the Founding Fathers' beliefs about God and religion may have influenced their ideas about human rights and civil liberties, as reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution's explicit commitment to these values.
Policing in Early America: Constitution and the Law
You may want to see also
The inclusion of God in state constitutions
In ancient times and the Middle Ages, it was common for contracts and legal documents to invoke gods or God to guarantee the agreements made. Formulas such as "In the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" were used to emphasise the fairness and justness of the norms being established. Treaties between Christian nations also traditionally began with an invocation of God until the late 19th century.
When written constitutions became the norm for modern states in the 19th century, several European states continued this tradition, carrying it over into their founding documents. For example, the inclusion of a nominatio dei was debated during the preparation of the preamble to the proposed European Constitution, but the member states ultimately failed to reach a consensus for a reference to Christianity.
In the United States, the Declaration of Independence mentions God four times, referring to "Nature's God," "Creator," "Supreme Judge of the World," and "divine Providence." However, the US Constitution itself does not make explicit references to God or the Christian religion, reflecting the founders' intention to create a government of limited reach that would not intrude into the religious lives of Americans. Instead, the Constitution aimed to establish a government that would let religion thrive according to the beliefs and energies of its practitioners.
Despite this, state constitutions within the US have taken varied approaches to including God in their constitutions. A 2017 analysis found that God or the divine is referenced in every state constitution, with 34 states referring to God more than once. Interestingly, states like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, which are among the least religious in the country, have multiple references to God in their constitutions.
Russia's Constitution: Written or Unwritten?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, the US Constitution does not mention God. However, the Declaration of Independence mentions God four times, and the US Constitution does make reference to "the year of our Lord".
Yes, all state constitutions refer to God or the divine. Most state constitutions (34) refer to God more than once.
Yes, some countries' constitutions do mention God. For example, the preambles to the constitutions of Poland and Ukraine contain a nominatio dei. The 2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia added a reference to God. On the other hand, some countries' constitutions, such as Norway, Luxembourg, Iceland, Italy, and Portugal, do not mention God.
