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.
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