Preamble
We, the people of the State of
Article I, section
3
Since equality in the enjoyment of natural and civil rights
is only made sure through political equality, the laws of this state affecting
the political rights and privileges of its citizens shall be without distinction
of race, color, sex, or any circumstance or condition whatsoever other than
individual incompetency, or unworthiness duly ascertained by a court of
competent jurisdiction.
Article I, section
18
The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and
worship without discrimination or preference shall be forever guaranteed in this
state, and no person shall be rendered incompetent to hold any office of trust
or profit, or to serve as a witness or juror, because of his opinion on any
matter of religious belief whatever; but the liberty of conscience hereby
secured shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness or justify
practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the state.
Article I, section
19
No money of the state shall ever be given or appropriated
to any sectarian or religious society or institution.
Article XVII, section
1
The militia of the state shall consist of all able-bodied
qualified residents of the state, and those nonresidents who are accepted into
service, between the ages of seventeen (17) and seventy (70) years; except those
exempted by the law of the United States or of the state. But all residents
having scruples of conscience averse to bearing arms shall be excused therefrom
upon conditions as shall be prescribed by law.
Article XXI, section
25
Perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured,
and no inhabitant of this state shall ever be molested in person or property on
account of his or her mode of religious worship.
Article VII, section
8
Provision shall be made by general law for the equitable
allocation of such income among all school districts in the state. But no
appropriation shall be made from said fund to any district for the year in which
a school has not maintained for at least three (3) months; nor shall any portion
of any public school fund ever be used to support or assist any private school,
or any school, academy, seminary, college or other institution of learning
controlled by any church or sectarian organization or religious denomination
whatsoever.
Article VII, section
12
No sectarian instruction, qualifications or tests shall be
imparted, exacted, applied or in any manner tolerated in the schools of any
grade or character controlled by the state, nor shall attendance be required at
any religious service therein, nor shall any sectarian tenets or doctrines be
taught or favored in any public school or institution that may be established
under this constitution.
Article XV, section
12
The property of the United States, the state, counties,
cities, towns, school districts and municipal corporations, when used primarily
for a governmental purpose, and public libraries, lots with the buildings
thereon used exclusively for religious worship, church parsonages, church
schools and public cemeteries, shall be exempt from taxation, and such other
property as the legislature may by general law provide.