Secular Nation

While we have rich history that predates the adoption of the Constitution of the United States -- including the colonial period, the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Revolutionary War -- a Constitutional Convention was called in 1787 to resolve the political and economic problems experienced by the federation of states under the Articles of Confederation.

The result was a Constitution of the United States of America signed by the delegates on September 17, 1787. It was ratified by the States on the following dates:

1. Delaware, December 7, 1787
2. Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787
3. New Jersey, December 18, 1787
4. Georgia, January 2, 1788
5. Connecticut, January 9, 1788
6. Massachusetts, February 6, 1788 *
7. Maryland, April 28, 1788
8. South Carolina, May 23, 1788
9. New Hampshire, June 21, 1788 *
10. Virginia, June 26, 1788 *
11. New York, July 26, 1788 *
12. North Carolina, August 1, 1788 *
13. Rhode Island, May 29, 1790 *
14. Vermont, January 10, 1791

* Letter of Ratification included proposed amendments (such as, a Bill of Rights).

On September 13, 1788, by resolution of Congress, the ratifications of a sufficient number of states were authenticated and the Constitution went into effect.

The original (i.e., unamended) Constitution has only one reference to religion, namely Article 6 (paragraph 3), which states in part: "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification for any Office or public Trust under the United States." This and the Preamble that states "We the People ... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" are indisputable proof that the Founders intended the federal government to be a secular (that is, non-theocratic) one.

Equally instructive, since the adoption of the Constitution, there have been 27 amendments, only one of which deals with religion -- the First Amendment -- and it clearly precludes the federal government's involvment in religion. It states, in relevant part:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ..."

For those who claim that the United States is a Christian Nation or based on Christian principles, we need only to look to 1797 and the Treaty of Tripoli. The treaty, which George Washington initiated and was unanimously approved by the Senate, reads in relevant part: "the Government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion ..." [The Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11.]

In conclusion, we are a diverse nation -- of many nationalities and religions. Under the Constitution and amendments to it, our government serves us all, equally. Moreover, government is to neither establish (or promote) religion nor be hostile towards religion. This is what is meant by secular nation -- one that benefits all and favors none.