Tennessee (June 1, 1796) was the 16th State admitted to the Union. The Constitution of the State of Tennessee, adopted 1796, stated:
<Article XI, Section III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.> 1796TN001
<Article VIII, Section II. No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this State.> 1796TN002
<Article XI, Section IV. That no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under this State.> 1796TN003
The Constitution of the State of Tennessee, adopted 1870, stated:
<Article I, Section 3. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience.>1796TN004
Article IX, Section 2. No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this State.> 1796TN005
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1796TN001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Tennessee, 1796, Constitution, Article XI, Section 3. Frances Newton Thorpe, ed., Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies now or heretofore forming the United States, 7 vols. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1905; 1909; St. Clair Shores, MI: Scholarly Press, 1968). Edwin S. Gaustad, Neither King nor Prelate-Religion and the New Nation, 1776-1826 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1993), pp. 172-73. Governor Ned McWherter and Secretary of State Riley C. Darnell, Proclamation declaring Christian Heritage Week, August 29-September 4, 1993, signed June 21, 1993, in the Capitol City of Nashville. Courtesy of Bruce Barilla, Christian Heritage Week Ministry (P.O. Box 58, Athens, W.V. 24712; 304-384-7707, 304-384-9044 fax).
1796TN002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Tennessee Constitution, 1796, Constitution, Article VIII, Section II. The Constitutions of the Sixteen States (Boston: Manning and Loring, 1797), pp. 274, 277. The Constitutions of All the United States According to the Latest Amendments (Lexington, KY: Thomas T. Skillman, 1817), p. 287. The Constitutions of the United States of America, pp. 342, 344. Frances Newton Thorpe, ed., Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies now or heretofore forming the United States, 7 vols. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1905; 1909; St. Clair Shores, MI: Scholarly Press, 1968). Edwin S. Gaustad, Neither King nor Prelate- Religion and the New Nation, 1776-1826 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1993), p. 172.
1796TN003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Tennessee Constitution, 1796, Constitution, Article XI, Section IV. The Constitutions of the Sixteen States (Boston: Manning and Loring, 1797), pp. 274, 277. The Constitutions of All the United States According to the Latest Amendments (Lexington, KY: Thomas T. Skillman, 1817), p. 287. The Constitutions of the United States of America, pp. 342, 344. Frances Newton Thorpe, ed., Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies now or heretofore forming the United States, 7 vols. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1905; 1909; St. Clair Shores, MI: Scholarly Press, 1968). Edwin S. Gaustad, Neither King nor Prelate- Religion and the New Nation, 1776-1826 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1993), p. 172.
1796TN004. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Tennessee, 1870, Constitution, Article I, Section 3. Charles E. Rice, The Supreme Court and Public Prayer (New York: Fordham University Press, 1964), p. 175; "Hearings, Prayers in Public Schools and Other Matters," Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate (87th Cong., 2nd Sess.), 1962, pp. 268 et seq.
1796TN005. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Tennessee, 1870, Constitution, Article IX, Section 2. Charles E. Rice, The Supreme Court and Public Prayer (New York: Fordham University Press, 1964), p. 175; "Hearings, Prayers in Public Schools and Other Matters," Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate (87th Cong., 2nd Sess.), 1962, pp. 268 et seq.