State constitutions mention ‘God’ or ‘divine’

State constitutions mention ‘God’ or ‘divine’

WASHINGTON — “God” or “the divine” is mentioned in all 50 state constitutions, even though such things are never explicitly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, according to Pew Research Center. Of the more than 200 references overall, three belong to Alabama’s constitution. Massachusetts — one of the nation’s least religious states — has the most with 12, with North Carolina coming in second with 10.

According to Pew, 116 of the total references are direct uses of the word “God.” All but four state constitutions mention God directly — Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii and Washington don’t, though they mention a “Supreme Being,” “Supreme Ruler of the Universe” or that the people are “grateful for Divine Guidance.”

Three of the nation’s least religious states have the most uses of the word “God.” Massachusetts’ constitution uses it eight times, while the constitutions of New Hampshire and Vermont each mention Him six times. (TAB)