The beginning of all the Constitutions . . .

[turtlespeed 212]

Turtlespeed: I found this remarkably interesting - No, I haven't verified anything, but it looks like it's right.

Someone else: Subject: OUR PREAMBLE IN STATES HISTORY


After you check your state, look at the last two paragraphs.


America's founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God and
state, as shown by the fact that all 50 states acknowledge God in their
state constitutions:

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 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 worshipping and serving their Creator according to the
dictates of their consciences ..
Florida 1845, 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 chose 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 of 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 or 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 , PartI. 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 ..
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, ArticleI. 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 .. establish this ...
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 ..

"After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions,
one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the
out-of-control liberal federal courts are wrong! (Maybe??? Where did the
phrase 'separation of church and state' come from?!?!?! That phrase was
never a part of ANY constitution, but a made up line from some politician
that had his own non-religious agenda!!!)"

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
.. William Penn

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[jakee 1,259]

OK, but which god were they talking about, you wanna get the pope and the archbishop of canterbury to fight it out for total control of your lives?
Having a government that answers to any church is just moronic. Even if that is what America's founders wanted, who cares? They were wrong.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[turtlespeed 212]

Quote

OK, but which god were they talking about, you wanna get the pope and the archbishop of canterbury to fight it out for total control of your lives?
Having a government that answers to any church is just moronic. Even if that is what America's founders wanted, who cares? They were wrong.

Explain how they were wrong. PROVE they were wrong.
Freedom of religion and of not having religion was one of thier prncipals. Was that wrong too?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[quade 3]

Quote

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions,
one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the
out-of-control liberal federal courts are wrong! (Maybe??? Where did the
phrase 'separation of church and state' come from?!?!?! That phrase was
never a part of ANY constitution, but a made up line from some politician
that had his own non-religious agenda!!!)

No, because the one that really matters is the one that follows:

Quote

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

You might notice there's no mention of a deity at all. We The People, give us the power.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[riddler 0]

Quote

Colorado 1876 , Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe .

This part is true of Colorado's original constitution.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[jakee 1,259]

Sorry about that. I was replying more to the way that article was written, the author was saying that seperation of church and state was a bad thing and implied that the the authors of the state constitutions wanted the government to be strongly linked to the church.
What i should have said was that the guy who wrote the article was an idiot NOT that America's founders were idiots, they did a good job.

I DO stand by my comment that having the government answer to the church is moronic.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

I DO stand by my comment that having the government answer to the church is moronic.

The later Framers thought so, too.

Hence, the First Amendment.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[SarahC07 0]

So, just to clarify, were the last 2 paragraphs a part of the article or... something you wrote?

Sarah

[turtlespeed 212]

Quote

Sorry about that. I was replying more to the way that article was written, the author was saying that seperation of church and state was a bad thing and implied that the the authors of the state constitutions wanted the government to be strongly linked to the church.
What i should have wrote was that the guy who wrote it was an idiot NOT that America's founders were idiots, they did a good job.

I DO stand by my comment that having the government answer to the church is moronic.

Yes, I agree, Gov't answering to the church is ascenine. I didn't make a judgement either way - I simply said that this was interesting to me.

But what I am thinking is that IF the state governments have this verbage in thier constitution and the federal does not. Why, if they are claiming that they have thier own constitution, is it ok to "Selectively" determine your alliance to the US Constitution?
I.E. If it is convienient to follow the federal doctrines, why does it suddenly become a state issue to pass laws that contradict the federal?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[turtlespeed 212]

Quote

So, just to clarify, were the last 2 paragraphs a part of the article or... something you wrote?

Sarah

It was all cut and paste except the first line.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[quade 3]

Ya might wanna try using quotation marks or something to make that clear. It's the difference between pointing out something someone else wrote and having people think those are your own thoughts.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[turtlespeed 212]

OK - yeah - hindsight says I should have . . .

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Gawain 0]

Quote

No, because the one that really matters is the one that follows:

Quote

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

You might notice there's no mention of a deity at all. We The People, give us the power.

Since this is a Federal Republic, the State Constitutions have much more relevance here. I don't know if Canada's Provinces have constitutions (I don't think so), but under their system of governemt, a Confederation with Parliment, such constitutions would be of little worth.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Ron 7]

Yeah but the very beginings of this country were based on religion.

Quote

Mayflower compact:
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761591226/Mayflower_Compact.html

Agreement Between the Settlers at New Plymouth : 1620
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.

Quote

Declaration of Independance:
http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/declaration.html

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.


We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights

Quote

Articles of Confederation: (The first Constitution)
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/artconf.htm
In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in Congress. Done at Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania the ninth day of July in the Year of our Lord

This land was founded on religion.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Gawain 0]

Quote

This land was founded on religion.

Certainly religious principles guided in building the framework.

One thing that I think a lot of people misinterpret (understandably) is the word "GOD" -- it does not equal "religion".

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Ron 7]

Quote

One thing that I think a lot of people misinterpret (understandably) is the word "GOD" -- it does not equal "religion

From the Mayflower Compact:

Quote

Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith,

What do you take "Advancement of the Christain Faith" to mean?

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[jakee 1,259]

Quote

Yeah but the very beginings of this country were based on religion.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761591226/Mayflower_Compact.html

Agreement Between the Settlers at New Plymouth : 1620
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since you guy's fought a war to remove yourself from the rule of the king then this statement has no relevance to any laws or constitutions written since the decleration of independance.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[turtlespeed 212]

Quote

Quote

This land was founded on religion.

Certainly religious principles guided in building the framework.

One thing that I think a lot of people misinterpret (understandably) is the word "GOD" -- it does not equal "religion".

And there you have it.

But ORGANIZED religion doesn't see it that way.
If you look at the Mormans, for instance, they needed parishoners. So, how do you get parishoners, you give birth to them - I.e. you let a guy have more wives and so can have a bigger family. More people = More Money for the church. Catholosism(sp) same thing, " NO birth control " = "we need more catholics" - OBVIOUSLY it is a healt hazzard to make them against a religion - But then again - Organized religion is not freedom "OF" religion. . . But here's a question for you - Is there a difference between fredom "OF" religion and freedom "FROM" religion?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Ron 7]

Quote

Since you guy's fought a war to remove yourself from the rule of the king then this statement has no relevance to any laws or constitutions written since the decleration of independance.

We fought a war to end taxation without representation.

And this is very relevant...It is the first document that helped shape the country.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Gawain 0]

Quote

Quote

One thing that I think a lot of people misinterpret (understandably) is the word "GOD" -- it does not equal "religion

From the Mayflower Compact:

Quote

Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith,

What do you take "Advancement of the Christain Faith" to mean?

In that interpretation, I understand it to mean exactly what it says. Notice it doesn't say that in any of the State Constitutions.

Now the Oxford American Dictionary defines God as: 1. the creator and ruler of the universe in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim teaching. 2. a superhuman being regarded and worshipped as having power over nature and human affairs, "Mars was the Roman god of War". 3. an image of a god, and idol. 4. a person or thing that is greatly admired or adored "money was his god".

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[billvon 2,434]

>This land was founded on religion.

As much as it was founded on freedom or tobacco or slavery. The early settlers were pretty religious; not suprising since many of them were members of religious groups wanting the freedom to practice their own version of Protestantism. Many settlers also thought the Indians were heathens who deserved little better than a quick death. That didn't mean they were evil, just that they truly believed that if you weren't "saved" your physical existence was secondary. From a 16th century pope:

"We trust that, as long as you are on earth, you will compel and with all zeal cause the barbarian nations to come to the knowledge of God, the maker and founder of all things, not only by edicts and admonitions, but also by force and arms, if needful, in order that their souls may partake of the heavenly kingdom."

Note that the Separatists and other offshoots of the Church of England paid little heed to the pope, but most other christian religions had similar edicts.

What would you call a modern-day religious zealot who really believed that people must be forcibly converted to your religion or killed, and that your religious leaders commanded you to do so? Times change.

[TomAiello 25]

Quote

"...Where did the phrase 'separation of church and state' come from?!?!?!

I believe that's the "layman's translation" of this phrase:

Quote

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...

Congress shall make no law seems pretty clear to me.

-- Tom Aiello

[email protected]
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[SarahC07 0]

Wow, this could become a touchy issue...

I was raised catholic and yes the catholics do not believe in any form of birth control BUT I do not believe that catholics don't want people (other catholics) using birth so that MORE catholics are created... of course it would lead to the point that religion has been corrupted from the beginning...

freedom 'of' religion and freedom 'from' religion... to me are the same...

If my religion is a personal/individual practice... then, freedom 'of' and freedom 'from' are equal....

for people who choose not to practice any type of religion at all... that may or may not be a different story...

Sarah

[Gawain 0]

Quote

Congress shall make no law seems pretty clear to me.

Now, if they would only stop writing bills and start repealing the one's they've passed.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[turtlespeed 212]

Quote

Quote

Congress shall make no law seems pretty clear to me.

Now, if they would only stop writing bills and start repealing the one's they've passed.

Maybe not Congress, buit the Ninth Circuit seems to do that alot.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun