Acknowledgements of God - State legislation

Alabama-1901, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, …invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish…” Preamble to Constitution.

“…that they (all men) are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights”…Art. I, sec. 1 (Declaration of Rights).

Alaska-1956, 1963 supp., “We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God…establish this Constitution…” Preamble to Constitution.

Arizona-1910, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.” Preamble to Constitution.

Arkansas-1874, 1963 supp., We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...(establish this Constitution)” …Preamble to Constitution.

“All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.”…Art. 2, sec. 24.

“No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any court.” Art. 19, sec. 1.

“Religion, morality and knowledge essential to good government, the General Assembly shall enact suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship.” Art. 2, sec. 25.

California-1879, 1963 supp., We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…(establish this Constitution)…Preamble to Constitution.

Colorado-1876, 1961 supp., “We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe (establish this Constitution)”….Preamble to Constitution.

Connecticut-1963 supp., The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude, the good Providence of God, in permitting them to enjoy a free government…(establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution

“It being the duty of all men to worship, the Supreme Being, the Great Creator and Preserver of the Universe, and their right to render that worship, in the mode most consistent with the dictates of their consciences (certain rights will follow; for full text see below)”…Article Seventh, sec. I.

Delaware-1897, 1962 supp., “Through Divine Goodness all men have by nature the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.” …Preamble to Constitution

“Although it is the duty of all men frequently to assemble together for the public worship of Almighty God; and piety and morality, on which the prosperity of communities depends, are hereby promoted; yet no man shall or ought to be compelled to attend any religious worship, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of worship, or to the maintenance of any ministry, against his own free will and consent; and no power shall or ought to be vested in or assumed by any magistrate that shall in any case interfere with, or in any manner control the rights of conscience, in the free exercise of religious worship, nor a preference given by law to any religious societies, denominations, or modes of worship.” Art. I, sec. I.

Florida-1885, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty…(establish this Constitution.)” Preamble to Constitution

Georgia-1945, 1963 supp., “We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.” Preamble to Constitution

“All men have the natural and inalienable right to worship God, each according to the dictates of his own conscience.” Art. 1, sec. 2-112.

Hawaii-1961, “We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance .. (establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution

Idaho 1890, 1961 supp., “We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings. ..(establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution.

“It is ordained by the state of Idaho that perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured, and no inhabitant of said state shall ever be molested in person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship.”…Art. 21, sec. 19.

Illinois-1870, 1962 supp., “We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations…(establish this Constitution.” Preamble to Constitution.

Indiana-1851, 1963 supp., “We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government, do ordain this Constitution.” Preamble to Constitution.

“We declare, That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights…” Art, 1, sec. 1.

“All men shall be secured in their natural right to worship Almighty God…” Art. 1, sec. 2.

Iowa-1857, 1963 supp., “We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings…(establish this Constitution.)” Preamble to Constitution.

Kansas-1859, 1963 supp., “We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges…(establish this Constitution).”

“The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed.” …Bill of Rights, sec. 7.

Kentucky-1956, 1962 supp., “We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy…(establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution

Louisiana-1921, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and desiring to secure the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution.” Preamble to Constitution.

“Every person has the natural right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.” …Art. 1, sec.4.

Maine-1963 supp., “We the People of Maine… acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and, imploring His aid and direction…(establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution.

“All men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.” …Art. I, sec. 3.

Maryland-1867, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty (declare specified rights)” …Preamble to Declaration of Rights.

“That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such a manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty.” …Art. 36.

Massachusetts-1780, “We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe, in affording us, in the course of His Providence, (an opportunity to form a compact);… and devoutly imploring His direction in so interesting a design, …(establish the Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution

“It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe.” Declaration of Rights, Art. II.

“As the public worship of God and instructions in piety, religion and morality, promote the happiness and prosperity of a people and the security of republican government (certain rights accrue to religious societies).” Declaration of Rights, Art. III.

Michigan-1908, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom…(establish this Constitution). Preamble to Constitution.

“Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.” …Art. II, sec. 3.

“Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” Art. XI, sec. 1

Minnesota-1857, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings…(establish the Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution.

“The right of every man to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience shall never be infringed.” Bill of Rights, Art. I, sec. 16.

Mississippi-1890, 1962 supp., “We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this constitution.” Preamble to Constitution.

“No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state. Art. 14, sec. 265.

Missouri-1945, “We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness…(establish this Constitution.)” Preamble to Constitution.

“That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.”…Bill of Rights, Art. I, sec. 5.

Montana-1889, “We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty (establish this Constitution).” …Preamble to Constitution.

Nebraska-1876, 1963 supp., “We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…(establish this Constitution.)” Preamble to Constitution.

“All persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.” Bill of Rights, Art. I, sec. 4.

Nevada -1864, 1963 supp., “We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…(establish this Constitution). Preamble to Constitution.

New Hampshire-1783, 1963 supp., “As morality and piety, rightly grounded on evangelical principles, will give the best and greatest security to government, and will lay, in the hearts of men, the strongest obligations to due subjection; and as the knowledge of these is most likely to be propagated through a society, by the institution of the public worship of the Diety, and of public instruction in morality and religion; there from, to promote these important purposes, the people of this state have a right to empower, the legislature, to authorize, from time to time, the several towns, parishes, bodies corporate, or religious societies, within this state, to make adequate provision, at their own expense, for support and maintenance of public Protestant teachers of piety, religion, and morality…”

“And every denomination of Christians, demeaning themselves quietly, and as good subjects of the state, shall be equally under the protection of the law: And no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another, shall ever be established by law…” Pt. I, Art. 6th.

New Jersey-1947, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors. …(establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution.

“No persion shall be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience.” Art. I, sec. 3.

New Mexico-1911, 1959 supp., “We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty…(Establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution.

“Every man shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.” Art. II, sec. 11.

New York-1938, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, do establish this Constitution.” Preamble to Constitution.

North Carolina-1868, 1963 supp., “We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us….(establish this Constitution). Preamble to Constitution.

“All persons have a natural and inalienable right to worship almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.” Art. I, sec. 26.

“The following classes of persons shall be disqualified for office: First, all persons who deny the being of Almighty God...” Art. VI, sec. 8.

North Dakota-1889, 1960 supp., “We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution.”

Ohio-1851, 1963 supp., “We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…(establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution.

“Religion, morality, and knowledge, however, being essential to good government, it shall be the duty of the general assembly to pass suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship and to encourage schools and the means of instruction.” Bill of Rights. Art. I sec. 7.

Oklahoma-1907, “Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty…(we establish this Constitution). …Preamble to Constitution.

“Perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured, and no inhabitant of the State shall ever be molested in person or property on account of his mode of religious worship; and no religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil political rights.” Art. I, sec. 2.

Oregon-1859, 1961 supp., “All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences.” Bill of Rights, Art. I, sec. 2.

“No law shall in any case whatever control the free exercise, and enjoyment of religious opinions, or interfere with the rights of conscience.” Bill of Rights, Art. I, sec. 3.

Pennsylvania-1874, 1963 supp., “We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution.” Preamble to Constitution.

“All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.” …Art. I, sec.3.

“No person who acknowledges the being of God and a future state of rewards and punishment shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth.” Art. I, sec. 4.

Rhode Island-1963 supp., “We the People of the State of Rhode Island…, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same…(establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution.

“…Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; and all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend to begat habits of hypocrisy and meanness; and whereas a principal object of our venerable ancestors, in their migration to this country and their settlement of this state, was, as they expressed it, to hold forth a lively experiment, that a flourishing civil state may stand and be best maintained with full liberty in religious concernments; we, therefore, declare that no man shall be compelled to frequent or to support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatever, except in fulfillment of his own voluntary contract; nor enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods; nor disqualified from holding any office; nor otherwise suffer on account of his religious belief; and that every man shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and to profess and buy argument to maintain his opinion in matters of religion’ and that the same shall in no wide diminish, enlarge, or affect his civil capacity. Art. I, sec. 3.

South Carolina-1895, 1963 supp., “We, the people of he State of South Carolina, …grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same.” Preamble to Constitution.

“No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution.” Art. 17, sec. 4.

South Dakota-1961 supp., “We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties…(establish this Constitution). Preamble to Constitution.

“The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed.” Art. VI, sec. 3.

Tennessee 1870, “That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience.”… Art. I, sec. 3.

“No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state.” Art. XI, sec. 2.

Texas-1876, 1963 supp., “Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God…(we establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution.

“Nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.” Art. I, sec. 4.

Utah-1961 supp., “Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we…establish this Constitution.” Preamble to Constitution.

Vermont-1793, “That all men have a natural and unalienable right, to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences…ever sect or denomination of Christians ought to observe the sabbath or Lord’s day, and keep up some sort of religious worship, which to them shall seem more agreeable to the revealed will of God.” Ch. I, art. 3rd.

Virginia-1902, 1962 supp., That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator…can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence…” Art. I, sec. 16.

Washington-1889, 1961 supp., “We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.” Preamble to Constitution.

West Virginia-1872, 1963, “No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship…whatsoever; nor shall any man be enforced, restrained, molested or burthened, in his body or goods, or otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess, and by argument , to maintain their opinions in matters of religion.” III, sec. 15.

Wisconsin-1848, “We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…(establish this Constitution). Preamble to Constitution.

“The right of every man to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of his own conscience shall never be infringed.” Art. I, sec. 18.

Wyoming-1890, “We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties…(establish this Constitution).” Preamble to Constitution.