Posted on 07/02/2010 8:51:50 AM PDT by Sopater
Every state constitution refers to God as understood by the writers as a Creator God, not the impersonal god of Hinduism or Buddhism. Furthermore, the Judeo-Christian Creator God from whom comes our freedoms and rights is, either directly or indirectly, written into all 50 state constitutions.
The common expression "grateful to Almighty God for our freedom" refers to the belief that the source of our rights is not from government, but rather from God. A good example is Maine's constitution that calls God the "Sovereign Ruler of the Universe." Delaware's says, "Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator" (emphasis added). The Virginia Bill of Rights refers to the duty that "we owe our Creator." The Washington State Constitution Preamble says, "We the People…[are] grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe."
Teachers denied the right to critique Darwinism could simply teach their state's constitution. It could not be unconstitutional to teach the state's constitution! All 50 state constitutions acknowledge God, most as the Creator, and the ACLU and the federal courts are wrong to deprive students of this knowledge. Below are the relevant sections.
Alabama, 1901, Preamble: We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
Alaska, 1956, Preamble: We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona, 1911, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.
Arkansas, 1874, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government.
California, 1879, Preamble: We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado, 1876, Preamble: We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.
Connecticut, 1818, Preamble: The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware, 1897, Preamble: Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida, 1885, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution.
Georgia, 1777, Preamble: We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Hawaii, 1959, Preamble: We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance...establish this Constitution.
Idaho, 1889, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois, 1870, Preamble: 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.
Indiana, 1851, Preamble: 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.
Iowa, 1857, Preamble: 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.
Kansas, 1859, Preamble: We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky, 1891, Preamble: We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties.
Louisiana, 1921, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine, 1820, Preamble: We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity...and imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland, 1776, Preamble: We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty.
Massachusetts, 1780, Preamble: We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe…in the course of His providence, an opportunity…and devoutly imploring His direction.
Michigan, 1908, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings.
Mississippi, 1890, Preamble: We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri, 1845, Preamble: We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness...establish this Constitution.
Montana, 1889, Preamble: We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution.
Nebraska, 1875, Preamble: We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…establish this Constitution.
Nevada, 1864, Preamble: We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution.
New Hampshire, 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V: Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey, 1844, Preamble: 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.
New Mexico, 1911, Preamble: We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.
New York, 1846, Preamble: We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina, 1868, Preamble: We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those.
North Dakota, 1889, Preamble: We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain.
Ohio, 1852, Preamble: We the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common welfare.
Oklahoma, 1907, Preamble: Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty establish this.
Oregon, 1857, Bill of Rights, and Article I. Section 2: All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences.
Pennsylvania, 1776, Preamble: We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance.
Rhode Island, 1842, Preamble: 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.
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble: We, the people of the State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota, 1889, Preamble: We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties.
Tennessee, 1796, Art. XI.III: that all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience.
Texas, 1845, Preamble: We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah, 1896, Preamble: Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont, 1777, Preamble: Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man.
Virginia, 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI: Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other.
Washington, 1889, Preamble: We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.
West Virginia, 1872, Preamble: Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God.
Wisconsin, 1848, Preamble: We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility.
Wyoming, 1890, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties establish this Constitution.
* Dr. Bergman is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Toledo Medical School in Ohio.
Cite this article: Bergman, J. 2010. Celebrating Our Freedom, Honoring Our Creator. Acts & Facts. 39 (7): 4-5.
And yet that “under G_d” part in the pledge really rankles them. Maybe we don’t have all the G_d haters in the streets over these state constitutions because nobody reads constitutions or laws anymore. Hence Barry thinks immigration is broken and Arizona’s immigration law is an anomaly. The constitutional law professor seems to be unaware of the very same laws he’s supposed to be enforcing. Like the line from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, read it, learn it, live it.
Thank you for this. I wish you a Happy Fourth!
Thanks for the great post!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.