Malcolm Rivera
The US Constitution is a secular document that does not explicitly mention God or the divine. This is in contrast to the Declaration of Independence, which contains several references to God, and the Pledge of Allegiance, which includes the words under God. The US Constitution guarantees that religion is not a requirement for holding public office, and it has been amended to protect citizens' religious sensibilities and provide for the common dignity of humanity. While the US Constitution does not mention God, nearly all state constitutions reference either God or the divine, and God appears on US currency in the national motto, In God We Trust.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mention of God in the US Constitution | No |
| Mention of God in the Declaration of Independence | Yes |
| Mention of God in state constitutions | Yes, in all but four state constitutions |
| Mention of God in the Pledge of Allegiance | Yes |
| National motto | "In God We Trust" |
| Presidents sworn in with a Bible | Most |
| Presidents sealing their oath of office with "so help me God" | Yes |
| Congress composition | Overwhelmingly Christian |
| Religion as a requirement for holding public office | No |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution does not mention God
The United States Constitution is a secular document that does not mention God. This may seem odd at first, given that the Declaration of Independence mentions God four times, and the Founding Fathers were expressing their belief in a nation founded on unalienable rights and a government answerable to the people. However, the Founding Fathers chose not to mention God in the Constitution, instead focusing on the principles of free government, justice, and preserving peace.
The absence of God in the US Constitution is notable, especially when compared to the state constitutions, where God or the divine is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall. The constitutions of California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, Washington, and the US territory of Puerto Rico all make reference to God, generally using an invocation of "God the Almighty" or the "Supreme Ruler of the Universe".
While the US Constitution does not explicitly mention God, it does include the phrase "the year of our Lord". Some skeptics argue that this is a custom and does not constitute a direct reference to God. Additionally, seven mentions of the word "Christian" appear in state constitutions, and a handful of state constitutions explicitly prohibit those who do not believe in God from holding public office. However, these bans have not been enforced recently as they are assumed to violate the US Constitution's prohibition on religious tests for public officeholders.
The Founding Fathers' decision to exclude God from the Constitution may have been intentional, reflecting their desire to create a nation with a separation between church and state. Benjamin Franklin, for example, reminded his colleagues during the Constitutional Convention that they had forgotten to seek God's help, suggesting that they had consciously moved away from relying on religious authority.
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State constitutions and their references to God
The United States Constitution does not mention God, but nearly all state constitutions reference either God or the divine. According to a 2017 analysis, God appears in the constitutions of 46 out of 50 states, with only Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington failing to use the word "God" at least once. However, these four states still 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."
State constitutions that do mention God typically use an invocation of "God the Almighty" or the "Supreme Ruler of the Universe." For example, the preambles of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, and several other states express gratitude to "Almighty God" for their liberties and freedom. The preambles of Colorado, Connecticut, and Washington refer to a "Supreme Ruler of the Universe," while Delaware's preamble mentions the "rights of worshiping and serving their Creator."
The inclusion of God in state constitutions can serve various purposes and have different interpretations. One view is that it legitimizes governmental power by suggesting that it is exercised according to God's will, reflecting a commitment to shared values such as human dignity. In some cases, it may express governmental support for a specific religion, as some authors interpret the nominatio dei in the 1949 German constitution. Additionally, references to God in an otherwise secular constitution can be seen as anchoring the state in history and tradition, perpetuating the tradition of invocationes dei in older constitutions.
The presence of God in state constitutions also complicates the claim that official acknowledgments of God are incompatible with legal culture. However, the history of their adoption does not provide clear support for those advocating for a robust interrelationship between religion and civil government. While the US Constitution does not mention God, it guarantees that religion is not a requirement for holding public office, and Congress has upheld Christmas Day's constitutionality, treating it as a cultural holiday.
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The Declaration of Independence and its references to God
The United States Constitution never explicitly mentions God or the divine. However, the nation's state constitutions differ in this regard. 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 Declaration of Independence, however, does contain references to God. The Founding Fathers invoked God in the Declaration, expressing the notion that the country was founded on unalienable rights and a government answerable to the people. Notably, the Declaration of Independence is not a part of the Constitution.
The first reference to God in the Declaration of Independence is in the first paragraph: "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, 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". Here, the Founders declared political independence based on "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God," believing these were inherent, universal natural rights emanating from God.
The second mention of God is found in the second paragraph: "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". This is perhaps the most well-known reference to God in the Declaration, as it asserts that citizens' rights are endowed by their Creator, not by other people.
The third reference to God appears in the final paragraph: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor". Here, the Founders express their reliance on divine Providence to establish their new nation based on natural rights "endowed by their Creator".
These three references to God in the Declaration of Independence altered history and remain politically relevant today. They reflect the Founding Fathers' intention to create a nation founded on notions of unalienable rights and a government answerable to the people.
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Religion in the US government
Religion has played a significant role in the history and politics of the United States, and its influence continues to be felt today. The country's founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, make several references to God and a belief in a higher power. However, the United States Constitution, which forms the basis of the US government, notably does not mention God. This absence of a reference to God in the Constitution has been the subject of much debate and speculation. Some have argued that it reflects the Founding Fathers' intention to separate church and state, while others have suggested that it may be due to the different religious backgrounds of the delegates involved in drafting the two documents.
Despite the absence of the word "God" in the US Constitution, religion has played and continues to play a significant role in US government and politics. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and prevents the government from establishing an official religion. This has allowed for a diverse range of religious faiths to flourish in the country, making the United States the most religiously diverse country in the world. Additionally, the Constitution guarantees that religion can never be a requirement for holding public office.
Historically, religion has been invoked by US politicians and statesmen to rally support and emphasise the importance of morality in governance. George Washington, the first President of the United States, was known for his strong support for religion, often issuing proclamations for fast and thanksgiving days. John Adams, the second president, continued this tradition and frequently referenced God in his speeches and proclamations. Both Washington and Adams offered rhetorical support for religion, believing it to be essential for maintaining public order and successful popular government.
In more recent times, religion continues to influence US politics and government. Many politicians discuss their religious beliefs while campaigning, and religious groups and figures remain highly politically active. Additionally, the religious beliefs of voters can influence their voting decisions, with "moral values" being a significant factor in some elections. However, the influence of religion in politics is not without controversy. The Johnson Amendment, for example, limits the political activity of religious organizations, and most Americans want churches and other religious institutions to stay out of politics.
While the role of religion in the US government and politics is complex and multifaceted, it is clear that it has played a significant part in shaping the country's history, values, and policies. The balance between church and state continues to be a subject of debate, with Americans holding varying views on the appropriate relationship between the two.
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The role of religion in the Founding Fathers' America
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of 18th-century revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, and established the United States of America. The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. The single person most identified as the ""Father" of the United States is George Washington, the commanding general in the American Revolution and the nation's first president. Other prominent Founding Fathers include John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, who were members of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence.
The religious beliefs of the Founding Fathers have been a subject of debate in the United States. While some scholars and pastors argue that most of the Founding Fathers held orthodox Christian beliefs, others claim that they were influenced by Deism, a school of religious thought that emphasized human experience and rationality over religious dogma. The truth likely lies somewhere in between, as the Founding Fathers were a diverse group with varying religious views. Some were conventional Christians, while others held unorthodox or Deistic beliefs.
The Founding Fathers did not intend to create a Christian nation, and the United States Constitution, which they drafted, contains no references to God. This is in contrast to the Declaration of Independence, which invokes a Supreme Being in several places. The omission of God in the Constitution may be due to the Founding Fathers' desire to establish a government derived from the consent of the governed, rather than a higher power. Additionally, the Constitution guarantees that religion is never a requirement for holding public office.
However, religion still played a significant role in the Founding Fathers' America. Many of them were religious men who wanted religion, though not necessarily Christianity, to have influence in the public sphere. The Founding Fathers allowed for freedom of religion and did not seek to separate church and state completely. The influence of Deism may have also contributed to their embrace of liberal political ideals, such as universal education, freedom of the press, and religious toleration.
In conclusion, while the Founding Fathers had diverse religious beliefs, they recognized the importance of religion in the public sphere and sought to balance it with the principles of popular sovereignty and freedom of religion that are enshrined in the United States Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US Constitution never explicitly mentions God or the divine.
Yes, the Declaration of Independence mentions God several times.
The US Constitution is a secular document that provides protections for the religious sensibilities of citizens. It draws its legitimacy from the consent of the governed, not from a higher power.
The US Constitution guarantees that religion can never be a requirement for holding public office.
