More Charters and Constitutions

Maryland Toleration Act (1649) states, “Be it therefore enacted… That whatsoever person or persons within this Province… Shall from henceforth blaspheme God, or shall deny our Savior Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, or shall deny the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost… or the Unity of the Trinity… shall be punished with death and confiscation or forfeiture of all his or her lands… ”

Delaware Constitution reads, “Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house… shall make and subscribe the following declaration: I ______ , do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament to be given by divine inspiration.” North Carolina Constitution has the words, “That no person who shall deny the being of God or the truth of the (Christian) religion, or the divine authority either of the Old or New Testaments… shall be capable of holding nay office or place of trust or profit in the civil department within this State.”

Pennsylvania Constitution reads, “Each legislator before he takes his seat, shall make and subscribe the following declaration: I do believe in God, the creator and governor of the universe, the rewarder to the good and the punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration.”