To open the newest session of Congress, the House will kick things off with a reading of the entire U.S. Constitution.
This seems like as good a time as any to review all the mentions of God and religion in this, our most fundamental expression of American legal principles and values. Given that a number of Americans wrongly believe the Constitution establishes America as a "Christian nation," there may not be as many religious references as some expect. Here goes:
From Article VI:
…no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
From the First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
And in a perfunctory reference just prior to the signatures:
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven…
