2 December 2006
List of Preambles to US State Constitutions
Dave S.
In celebration of the coming 1st anniversary of Judge Jones’ enforcement of an impenetrable wall of separation between church and state I present to you 45 holes in the wall.
Alaska
WE THE PEOPLE OF ALASKA, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land, in order to secure and transmit to succeeding generations our heritage of political, civil and religious liberty within the Union of States, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Alaska.
Arizona
We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.
Arkansas
We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government, for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to our selves and posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
California
We, the People of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom: in order to secure its blessing, do establish this Constitution.
Colorado
We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in order to form a more independent and perfect government, establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessing s of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the “State of Coloradoâ€Â.
Connecticut
We, the people of the State of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government, do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors; hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the following constitution and form of civil government.
Delaware
Through divine goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences, of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting reputation and property, and, in general, of attaining objects suitable to their condition, without injury by one to another, and as these rights are essential to their welfare, for the due exercise thereof, power is inherent in them, and, therefore, all just authority in the institutions of political society is derived from the people, and established with their consent, to advance their happiness, and they may, for this end as circumstances require, from time to time, alter their constitution of government.
Florida
We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Georgia
To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen and of the family, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, we the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Hawaii
We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance…establish this Constitution.
Idaho
We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution.
Illinois
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…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.
Indiana
TO THE END, that justice be established, public order maintained, and liberty perpetuated; WE, the people of the State of Indiana, grateful to ALMIGHTY GOD for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this Constitution.
Iowa
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 continuance of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the STATE OF IOWA…
Kansas
We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges, in order to insure the full enjoyment of our rights as American citizens, do ordain and establish this constitution of the state of Kansas…
Kentucky
We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and invoking the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Louisiana
We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy…do ordain and establish this constitution.
Maine
We, the people of Maine…acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording an opportunity…and imploring His aid and direction…
Maryland
We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:
Massachusetts
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…forming a new Constitution…
Michigan
We, the people of the state of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings and freedom, and earnestly desiring to secure these blessings undiminished to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Minnesota
We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Mississippi
We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and involving his blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Missouri
We the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this Constitution for the better government of the State.
Montana
We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations do ordain and establish this constitution.
Nebraska
We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of government, as the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.
Nevada
We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect Government, do establish this CONSTITUTION.
New Jersey
We, the people of the State of New Jersey, 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 upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
New Mexico
We, the people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a state government, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
New York
WE, THE PEOPLE of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION.
North Carolina
We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of these blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of the State, ordain and establish this Constitution.
North Dakota
We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Ohio
We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to establish its blessings and promote our common welfare, do establish this Constitution.
Oklahoma
Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to execute and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, to secure just and rightful government, to promote our mutual welfare and happiness, we, the people of the State of Oklahoma, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Pennsylvania
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.
Rhode Island
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
We, the people of the State of South Carolina…grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution…
South Dakota
We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties, in order to form a more perfect and independent government, establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and preserve to ourselves and to our posterity the blessings of liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of South Dakota.
Texas
Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Utah
Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we, the people of Utah, in order to secure and perpetuate the principles of free government, do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION.
Vermont
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….
Washington
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
Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia, in and through the provisions of this Constitution, reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God and seek diligently to promote, preserve and perpetuate good government in the state of West Virginia for the common welfare, freedom and security of ourselves and our posterity.
Wisconsin
We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this Constitution.
Wyoming
We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to our selves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
1
Joseph
12/02/2006
7:55 am
Uh-oh- I hear a song in my head—
45 holes in the impenetrable wall,
45 holes in the wall.
Take one down and pass it around,
44 holes left in the wall.
Ya see Dave, it isn’t really a wall- it is a chain-linked fence.
Great job Dave, well done and kudos!
2
tribune7
12/02/2006
9:52 am
Last one looked like it got caught in the filter:
The signing of the U.S. Constitution was:
Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present the seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth.
3
DLH
12/02/2006
11:27 am
These “ancient liberties” and foundational principles were affirmed and preserved from the See:
JOHN, by the grace of God King of England, . . .
4
TomG
12/02/2006
11:33 am
This is great! Thanks!
5
TomG
12/02/2006
11:37 am
BTW, Virginia’s preamble doesn’t contain language like these states’, but it does say,
“That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and, therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.”
6
russ
12/02/2006
12:46 pm
Apparently, biblical Ten Commandments engraved throughout the inside of the U.S. Supreme Court are now being represented by guides as the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/n.....E_ID=52895
7
DaveScot
12/02/2006
3:17 pm
TomG
I know about that in Virginia’s. I debated keeping it in but it would have ruined the title of all preambles. The peanut gallery is populated by persnickety pedants and they surely would have pounced. I counted up to 45 twice too.
8
Joseph
12/02/2006
3:24 pm
Dave-FYI
Some incredibly dense- I’m talking walking black hole dense- people have interpretted your OP to mean that ID = religion.
Yes Recip Bill, I’m talking about you and your fellow disdainers of reason and original thought.
9
Douglas
12/02/2006
4:56 pm
Huh. And here I thought the United States was founded as a safe haven for atheists and atheists to practice no religion, and abuse religion, in freedom and confidence. I am so disillusioned.
10
pk4_paul
12/02/2006
5:43 pm
Could Judge Jones rule a constitution unconstitutional? Would he be even more of a hero if he did so? BTW, does he get paid for all the appearences and speeches he makes?
11
Michaels7
12/02/2006
10:54 pm
Dave, excellent work and rebuttal to the fallacy not found in our constitution. The lie which is forced upon an unwilling public, pushed forward by the unAmerican Communist Litigants United, thru a small cadre of Judges and litigators instead of allowing “We the People” to self-govern our own lives.
offtopic suggestion news topic; fighting cancer with Math, http://physorg.com/news84252523.html
“What is happening in biology is similar to trends seen in recent decades in the physical sciences,” Cummings said. “Computational models like this, in which complex behavior emerges from computer simulations grounded in understanding phenomena at a smaller scale, have been a staple of chemistry, physics, and related engineering disciplines for a long time.”
“Quaranta and Cummings expect to see this new way of thinking sweep through biology.”
“Particularly in cancer biology, we know so much about tumors, but we can do so little: why is that”" Quaranta said. “I think the reason is that we need additional tools, and those are the tools of mathematics.”
Hmmm, pattern recognition enhanced by computational analysis?
12
THE SEARCH FOR PURPOSE » Blog Archive » Holes In The Wall
12/02/2006
11:18 pm
[...] Check out the whole list here. Minnesota [...]
13
idnet.com.au
12/03/2006
12:42 am
Interestingly, although the constitutions use the somewhat generic word “God” mostly, the attributes of God indicate that they are not talking of a set of laws of physics.
Massachusetts the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe
Washington the Supreme Ruler of the Universe
Vermont the Author of Existence
Wisconsin Almighty God
Delaware divine goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator
14
idnet.com.au
12/03/2006
12:49 am
Suggestions of appropriate responses by good citizens to the God in the constitutions include.
West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God
Arkansas grateful to Almighty God
Colorado with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe
Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God
Delaware all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator
Georgia relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God
Hawaii grateful for Divine Guidance
Illinois looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors
Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording an opportunity,and imploring His aid and direction
15
DaveScot
12/03/2006
4:37 pm
re ID=religion
No, I’m referring to Jones overzealous interpretation of the establishment clause. The school board’s entanglement with religion and “Of Panda’s and People” creation science lineage is what made Jones’ ruling credible. His further verdict that ID is religion is nothing more than an attempt to get his name in the history books. I understand he’s making quite a few appearances around the country now talking in front of halls packed with cheering atheist sycophants. If his head gets any bigger it will explode.
Here’s some really good additional reading:
http://www.arn.org/blogs/index.....vident_tru
16
DaveScot
12/03/2006
7:15 pm
Joseph
ATBCers don’t have much of a grasp on facts. They make things up then treat it like fact.
For instance, they now seem to think I’m 65 years old. I was born in 1956. I wonder if they can do the math?
17
SeekAndFind
12/04/2006
11:32 am
The interesting thing is what we DON’T SEE in the preamble of the US Constitution …
——————————–
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
—————————–
No mention of Divine Providence, God or any Universal Legislator in the Document that remains the basic law of the land in this country… I wonder why… seeing that the delegates to this convention all came from States that mentioned God.
18
leebowman
12/04/2006
4:06 pm
In large part, the improper application of the Establishment Clause and Lemon Test have to do with a ‘too general’ definition of religion. Let’s narrow the definition to ‘religion per se’, rather than a vague inference of religion. This should be probably be done as a legal challenge. Too bad Jefferson didn’t more precisely define the term in his ‘wall of separation’ treatise. http://tinyurl.com/ymsf3j
I used to have a lot of fun raising hackles on some of the EvoDevo clan on talk.origins (mostly from across the pond). http://tinyurl.com/htx9t
19
withallyourmind.net » 45 Holes
12/08/2006
1:23 pm
[...] Uncommon Descent has an interesting post on the supposed “wall of separation” between church and state. It points out that there are 45 holes in the “wall”. [...]
20
Separation of Church and State | Uncommon Descent
05/31/2007
2:13 am
[...] List of Preambles to US State Constitutions [...]