Monday, February 9, 2009

Pennsylvania Constitution - Grateful to Almighy God

The Constitution of Pennsylvania (1776) says in its Preamble:

"WE, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution."

Then in sections 3 and 4 there are more references to God and worship:

Section 3.
"All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences;..."

Section 4. (Underline added)
"No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth."

Other Constitutions and court decisions refer to a belief in a system of future rewards and punishments. Presumably the reason is not religious, as such, but rather that it shows a stronger reason to believe that a person may do the right thing, even when that person is not likely to get caught by mortal authorities.

Read the entire Pennsylvania Constitution

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