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Tag: Taxpayer Support of Religion

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…

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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…

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Patrick Henry on “Bill Establishing A Provision for Teachers of the Christian Religion”

Patrick Henry on “Bill Establishing A Provision for Teachers of the Christian Religion”

Patrick Henry January 1, 1784 After the revolutionary war, some in Virginia came to fear that religion had gone into decline. Church buildings had been destroyed during the war. It was thought that worship attendance was declining, immorality rising and clergy struggling.  The measure would provide support for Christianity in general, and would not force members of minority denominations to support churches other than their own. Richard Henry Lee argued that it was least the citizens of Virginia could do…

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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…

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New Jersey Constitution of 1776

New Jersey Constitution of 1776

New Jersey 1776 Articles 18 and 19 outlawed a religious establishment, prohibiting the use of tax dollars to support any religion. However it limited public office to Protestants. XVIII. That no person shall ever, within this Colony, be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; nor, under any pretence whatever, be compelled to attend any place of worship, contrary to his own faith and judgment; nor shall…

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Massachusetts Constitution of 1780

Massachusetts Constitution of 1780

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Massachusetts January 1, 1780 It was the right as well as the duty” to worship “the Supreme Being.” While some states were moving to end the practice of having official, taxpayer-supported “established” religion, Massachusetts continued with the practice. They did, however, become more pluralistic In the sense that before the war, state support went mostly to the Congregational Church, the ancestors of the Puritans. This constitution allowed and encouraged taxpayers to provide “the support and maintenance of public Protestant teachers…

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Maryland Constitution of 1776, Declaration of Rights

Maryland Constitution of 1776, Declaration of Rights

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Maryland January 1, 1776 The Constitution provided religious freedom for Christians; allowed for taxes to pay for church contruction, clergy salaries and other religious functions; and limited public offices to Christians. XXXIII. That, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to him; all persons, professing the Christian religion, are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore no person ought by any law to be molested in…

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Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, October 29, 1775

Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, October 29, 1775

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John Adams October 29, 1775 Unlike Madison and Jefferson, Adams for many years believed that taxpayer support of religion – the approach taken in New England – was a good idea. There is, in the human Breast, a social Affection, which extends to our whole Species. Faintly indeed; but in some degree. The Nation, Kingdom, or Community to which We belong is embraced by it more vigorously. It is stronger still towards the Province to which we belong, and in…

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Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments by James Madison, 1785

Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments by James Madison, 1785

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James Madison June 20, 1785 This is one of the most important documents in the history of religious freedom. James Madison wrote it as part of a drive (by Patrick Henry and the Episcopal Church) to tax Virginians to help support religion. Prior to the Revolutionary War, the churc We the subscribers, citizens of the said Commonwealth, having taken into serious consideration, a Bill printed by order of the last Session of General Assembly, entitled “A Bill establishing a provision…

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Letter from James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, August 20, 1785

Letter from James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, August 20, 1785

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James Madison August 20, 1785 This is the cover letter that Madison wrote when he sent Thomas Jefferson, his “Memorial and Remonstrance,” which would become one of the most important documents in the history of American religious freedom. Madison drew up the treatise to turn the public. Orange Aug. 20th. 1785. Dear Sir, –Yours of the 18th of March never reached me till the 4th inst. It came by post from N. York, which it did not leave till the…

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