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 THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW JERSEY 1776

    State Constitutions

This constitution exactly as the others listed before it shows that the states acknowledgment of the truths contained in the Bible does not constitute the establishment of religion. New Jersey's constitution seems to focus a little more on the abuses they suffered under the imperial church of the king of England which is a good example of what some elements of the establishment of religion would be. The word "protestant" to them represents the very essence of rebelian against tyranny because "catholic" (meaning universal) was the label attached to the imperial churches of Europe set up to advance the interests of the kings and emperors of Europe.

AXVIII. That no person shall ever, within this Colony, be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God in a manner, agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; nor, under any presence whatever, be compelled to attend any place of worship, contrary to his own faith and judgment; nor shall any person, within this Colony, ever be obliged to pay tithes, taxes, or any other rates, for the purpose of building or repairing any other church or churches, place or places of worship, or for the maintenance of any minister or ministry, contrary to what he believes to be right, or has deliberately or voluntarily engaged himself to perform

XIX. That there shall be no establishment of any one religious sect in this Province, in preference to another; and that no Protestant inhabitant of this Colony shall be denied the enjoyment of any civil right, merely on account of his religious principles; but that all persons, professing a belief in the faith of any Protestant sect. who shall demean themselves peaceably under the government, as hereby established, shall be capable of being elected into any office of profit or trust, or being a member of either branch of the Legislature, and shall fully and freely enjoy every privilege and immunity, enjoyed by others their fellow subjects.

To view the entire constitution follow this hyperlink.

The Constitution of New Jersey 1776

© Daniel Martinovich 2002-2013

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