Preamble
Through Divine goodness, all people have by nature the
rights of worshiping 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 obtaining objects suitable
to their condition, without injury by one to another; and as these rights are
essential to their welfare, for 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.
Article I, section
1
Although it is the duty of all persons frequently to
assemble together for the public worship of Almighty God; and piety and
morality, on which the prosperity of communities depends, are hereby promoted;
yet no person shall or ought to be compelled to attend any religious worship, to
contribute to the erection or support of any place of worship, or to the
maintenance of any ministry, against his or her own free will and consent; and
no power shall or ought to be vested in or assumed by any magistrate that shall
in any case interfere with, or in any manner control the rights of conscience,
in the free exercise of religious worship, nor a preference given by law to any
religious societies, denominations, or modes of worship.
Article I, section
2
No religious test shall be required as a qualification to
any office, or public trust, under this State.
Article IX, section
4
The rights, privileges, immunities and estates of religious
societies and corporate bodies, except as herein otherwise provided, shall
remain as if the Constitution of this State had not been
altered.
Article X, section
3
No portion of any fund now existing, or which may hereafter
be appropriated, or raised by tax, for educational purposes, shall be
appropriated to, or used by, or in aid of any sectarian, church or
denominational school; provided, that all real or personal property used for
school purposes, where the tuition is free, shall be exempt from taxation and
assessment for public purposes.