Isabella Carter
The US Constitution does not explicitly mention God or the divine. However, it does include the phrase the year of our Lord, a common way of recording dates at the time. The nation's state constitutions, on the other hand, do refer to God or the divine, with God mentioned in every state constitution at least once and nearly 200 times overall. The constitutions of 34 states refer to God more than once, with Massachusetts's constitution mentioning God eight times. While the US Constitution does not mention God, it does guarantee that religion can never be a requirement for holding public office.
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What You'll Learn
God is not mentioned in the US Constitution
The US Constitution does not explicitly mention God or the divine. However, it does include the phrase "the year of our Lord", a common way of recording dates at the time. This is the only reference to God in the US Constitution, and it is not a direct mention of a God or the Christian God specifically.
While the US Constitution does not mention God, the nation's state constitutions do. According to a 2017 analysis, nearly all state constitutions reference God or the divine, with God mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall. All but four state constitutions—those in Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington—use the word "God" at least once. These four states refer to a "'Supreme' Being" or "Supreme Ruler of the Universe", while Hawaii's constitution mentions the divine in its preamble, expressing gratitude for "Divine Guidance".
The US Declaration of Independence, Pledge of Allegiance, and currency all include references to God, and "In God We Trust" was ascribed into law in the 1950s. The US Constitution's First Amendment states that the country shall have no official religion, guaranteeing that religion can never be a requirement for holding public office. However, most Americans are unaware of this, and nearly half feel it is important for the president to have strong religious beliefs.
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God is mentioned in state constitutions
The US Constitution does not explicitly mention God or the divine. However, the nation's state constitutions differ in this regard. According to a Pew Research Center analysis, 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. 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, expressing gratitude for "Divine Guidance."
Thirty-four state constitutions refer to God more than once. The Massachusetts constitution mentions God eight times, while New Hampshire and Vermont each have six references. Other states that refer to God in their constitutions include California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico.
In addition to the 116 mentions of God, there are 14 mentions of a Supreme or Sovereign Being, seven mentions of the "Creator", three mentions of "providence", four mentions of "divine", and 46 instances of the word "almighty." While there are 32 mentions of the word "Lord", most refer to "the year of our Lord" and are not direct references to God. A few state constitutions prohibit non-believers from holding public office, but these bans are not enforced due to their conflict with the US Constitution's prohibition on religious tests for public officeholders.
The inclusion of God in state constitutions may reflect a historical tradition of invoking God in legal documents to emphasize fairness and justice. It also acknowledges the inherent limitations of human law and power, challenging secular authority.
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In God We Trust is not in the US Constitution
The phrase "In God We Trust" is the official motto of the United States and has been since 1956. The phrase was adopted by the U.S. Congress, replacing the previous motto, "E pluribus unum" ("Out of many, one"). The origins of "In God We Trust" as a political motto can be traced back to the American Civil War, when Union supporters wanted to emphasise their attachment to God and boost morale.
Despite being the official motto, "In God We Trust" is not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Constitution never explicitly mentions God or the divine. However, the same cannot be said of the nation's state constitutions. 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—those in Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington—use the word "God" at least once.
The constitutionality of the phrase "In God We Trust" has been repeatedly upheld according to the judicial interpretation of accommodationism. Adherents of this interpretation state that the phrase has not historically presented any constitutional difficulty, is not coercive, and does not prefer one religious denomination over another. The Supreme Court has also relied on the notion of "ceremonial deism", which refers to religious references that have become secular through customary usage and are thus constitutional.
Despite the court rulings, some people argue that the phrase "In God We Trust" is unconstitutional and problematic, particularly for religious minorities. They argue that the phrase creates an uncomfortable association between the government and the Christian God, which may exclude those who practice less common religions. In addition, some critics point out that the phrase originated during a time of heightened emotions and religion during the Civil War, and that its founding may have been against the secular values intended by the U.S. Constitution.
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One Nation Under God is not in the US Constitution
The phrase "One Nation Under God" is not in the US Constitution. The US Constitution never explicitly mentions God or the divine. However, the nation's state constitutions do refer to God. 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—those in Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington—use the word "God" at least once.
The US Constitution does make reference to "the year of our Lord". There are also seven mentions of the word "Christian". The Pledge of Allegiance, which concludes with the words "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all", was written by a minister named Francis Bellamy.
The Founding Fathers, when declaring their separation from Great Britain, appealed to the "Laws of Nature, and of Nature's God" to justify their actions. They also declared that all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".
The First Congress of the United States, on the same day that it approved the Establishment Clause concerning religion, passed the Northwest Ordinance, which stated that "Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged".
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God is mentioned in the Declaration of Independence
The US Constitution does not explicitly mention God or the divine. However, the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, does contain references to God.
The Declaration of Independence contains four mentions of God, each demonstrating the founders' understanding of God's nature and power. Firstly, the document begins by referring to the source of power as the "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God", acknowledging that the power to establish a nation was given by God. Secondly, God is referred to as the Creator Who endows humans with unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This idea of God-given rights was significant in the rebellion against monarchical power, as it asserted that people's rights were not granted by any human authority, but by God. Thirdly, God is mentioned as the "'Supreme Judge of the World', reflecting the founders' belief that justice originates from God, not man. Finally, the last sentence of the Declaration expresses a "firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence", indicating the founders' trust in God's protection and guidance.
The inclusion of these references to God in the Declaration of Independence highlights the importance of religious faith in the founding principles of the United States. While the nation's perception of God has evolved since its founding, the Declaration of Independence remains a testament to the role of God in the founding fathers' vision for the country.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US Constitution does not explicitly mention God or the divine. However, it does make reference to "the year of our Lord".
Yes, according to a 2017 analysis, nearly all state constitutions reference either God or the divine. God is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall.
The US Constitution does not mention God because it guarantees that religion can never be a requirement for holding public office. The First Amendment also states that the country shall have no official religion.
