Christian State

North Carolina Constitution of 1776

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

North Carolina 1776 Declaration of RightsXIX. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences. ConstitutionXXXI. That no clergyman, or preacher of the gospel, of any denomination, shall be capable of being a member of either the Senate, House of Commons, or Council of State, while he continues in the exercise of the pastoral function. XXXII. That no person, who shall deny the being of…

Read More Read More

New Hampshire Constitution of 1784

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

New Hampshire 1784 The New Hampshire constitution provided broad religious rights for all Christians (not just Protestants). It allowed for and encouraged taxpayer support of religion but also said that no person should have to support a church with which they did not agree. IV. Among the natural rights, some are in their very nature unalienable, because no equivalent can be given or received for them. Of this kind are the RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE.V. Every individual has a natural and…

Read More Read More

Delaware Declaration of Rights and Fundamental Rules, September 11, 1776

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Delaware Congress September 11, 1776 The religious freedom clauses of the Delaware declaration of rights granted broad religious freedom to “all Persons professing the Christian Religion.” That all Men have a natural and unalienable Right to worship Almighty God according to the Dictates of their own Consciences and Understandings; that no Man ought or of Right can be compelled to attend any religious Worship or maintain any Ministry contrary to or against his own free Will and Consent, and that…

Read More Read More

Delaware Constitution of 1776

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 1 comment

Delaware 1776 Article 22 of the Constitution required officeholders to swear belief in the Trinity and the “divine inspiration” of the Bible. Art. 22. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the execution of his office, shall take the following oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, to wit: “I, A B, will bear true allegiance to…

Read More Read More

The Articles of Association, Continental Congress, October 20, 1774

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

The Continental Congress October 20, 1774 In this declaration resolved to boycott British tea and launch several other acts of protest. Unlike the later Declaration of Independence, these articles (In the preamble) specifically cite the Quebec Act, which many patriots criticized for allowing religious freedom for Catholics In Quebec. They feared the Catholics would lead a charge against the Protestant colonies: “thus, by the influence of civil principles and ancient prejudices, to dispose the inhabitants to act with hostility against…

Read More Read More