Browsed by
Tag: State Constitutions and Charters

The First Charter of Virginia, 1606

The First Charter of Virginia, 1606

Virginia May 10, 1606 The colony is established with a firm invocation of Almighty God and a commitment to propagating the Christian religion to the “Infidels and Savages.” JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. WHEREAS our loving and well-disposed Subjects, Sir Thorn as Gales, and Sir George Somers, Knights, Richard Hackluit, Clerk, Prebendary of Westminster, and Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thomas Hanharm and Ralegh Gilbert, Esqrs. William Parker, and George…

Read More Read More

Vermont Constitution of 1786

Vermont Constitution of 1786

Vermont 1786 By 1786, states were beginning to give up the stated preference for Christianity. Vermont here provides full freedom of religion for all faiths, while encouraging (but not requiring) the practice of religion. Chapter One, Article III. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences and understandings, as in their opinion shall be regulated by the word of God; and that no man ought, or of…

Read More Read More

Vermont Constitution of 1777

Vermont Constitution of 1777

Vermont 1777 In the sections on religion (chapter 1/section 3 and chapter 2/ sections 41), the Constitution provides religious freedom to Protestants and requires that “provision shall be made” to support churches through tax dollars. It also required officeholders to be Protestant and declare belief In a God who Is a ” rewarder of the good and punisher of the wicked.” Section III. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates…

Read More Read More

South Carolina Constitution of 1778

South Carolina Constitution of 1778

South Carolina January 1, 1778 Section XXI. And whereas the ministers of the gospel are by their profession dedicated to the service of God and the cure of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their function, therefore no minister of the gospel or public preacher of any religious persuasion, while he continues in the exercise of his pastoral function, and for two years after, shall be eligible either as governor, lieutenant-governor, a member of…

Read More Read More

Charter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1663

Charter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1663

Rhode Island July 15, 1663 Under the leadership of Roger Williams, Rhode Island moved toward religious freedom before the other colonies. CHARLES THE SECOND, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all to whome these presents shall come, greeting: Whereas wee have been informed, by the humble petition of our trustie and well beloved subject, John Clarke, on the behalf of Benjamine Arnold, William Brenton, William Codington, Nicholas Easton,…

Read More Read More

Pennsylvania’s Charter of Libertie, 1682

Pennsylvania’s Charter of Libertie, 1682

Pennsylvania April 25, 1682 To ALL PEOPLE to whom these presents shall come WHEREAS King Charles the second by his Letters, Patents under the Great Seal of England for the Considerations therein mentioned hath been graciously pleased to give and grant unto me William Penn (By the name of William Penn Esq’r son and heir of Sr. William Penn deceased) and to my heirs and assigns forever ALL that tract of land or province called PENNSILVANIA in America with divers…

Read More Read More

Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania, 1681

Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania, 1681

Pennsylvania 1681 [Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c To our Right Trusty and Welbeloved Chancellor Heneage Lord Finch our Chancellor of England greeting Wee will and comand you that under our Great Seale of England remaining in your Custody you cause our Letters to be made Forth patents in form following] CHARLES the Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland,…

Read More Read More

North Carolina Constitution of 1776

North Carolina Constitution of 1776

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 York Constitution of 1777

New York Constitution of 1777

New York 1777 Declaring that “the bigotry and ambition of weak and wicked priests and princes have scourged mankind,” New York’s Constitution granted broad religious freedom for all faiths, though they included a fascinating clause reassuring the populace that religious freedom couldn’t be used to justify “licentiousness” or disorder. They further banned clergy from serving in public office, a way of preventing a denomination from exerting political control, though the drafters claimed this was to keep the clergy from becoming…

Read More Read More

New Hampshire Constitution of 1784

New Hampshire Constitution of 1784

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