Preamble
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
those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security
thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this
Constitution.
Article I, section 1
We hold it to be self-evident that all persons are created
equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights;
that among these are life, liberty, the enjoyment of the fruits of their own
labor, and the pursuit of happiness.
Article I, section 13
All persons have a natural and inalienable right to worship
Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no human
authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of
conscience.
Article IX, section 1
Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good
government and the happiness of mankind, schools, libraries, and the means of
education shall forever be encouraged.
Article V, section 2
(3) Exemptions. Property belonging to the State, counties,
and municipal corporations shall be exempt from taxation. The General Assembly
may exempt cemeteries and property held for educational, scientific, literary,
cultural, charitable, or religious purposes, and, to a value not exceeding
$300, any personal property. The General Assembly may exempt from taxation not
exceeding $1,000 in value of property held and used as the place of residence
of the owner. Every exemption shall be on a State-wide basis and shall be made
by general law uniformly applicable in every county, city and town, and other
unit of local government. No taxing authority other than the General Assembly
may grant exemptions, and the General Assembly shall not delegate the powers
accorded to it by this subsection.
Article V, section 12
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Constitution,
the General Assembly may enact general laws to authorize the State or any State
entity to issue revenue bonds to finance and refinance the cost of acquiring,
constructing, and financing higher education facilities to be operated to serve
and benefit the public for any nonprofit private corporation, regardless of any
church or religious relationship provided no cost incurred earlier than five
years prior to the effective date of this section shall be refinanced. Such
bonds shall be payable from any revenues or assets of any such nonprofit
private corporation pledged therefor, shall not be
secured by a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State or such State
entity or deemed to create an indebtedness requiring voter approval of the
State or such entity, and, where the title to such facilities is vested in the
State or any State entity, may be secured by an agreement which may provide for
the conveyance of title to, with or without consideration, such facilities to
the nonprofit private corporation. The power of eminent domain shall not be
used pursuant hereto.
Article VI, section 8
Disqualifications for office.
The following persons shall be disqualified for
office:
First, any person who shall deny
the being of Almighty God.