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A State Religion? -- Never

In 1787, the year the Constitution was written and

approved by Congress, that same Congress passed the

famous Northwest Ordinance. In it they emphasized

the importance of religion and morality in the schools:

Article 3: Religion

morali~

and knowledge

being necessary to good government and the

happiness ofmankind, schools, and the means

of education shall forever be encouraged.

In 1892, Supreme CourtJustice Brewer, delivering

the opinion of the Court (143 V.S. 457) stated:

These, andmany othermatters which might

be noticed, add a volume of unofficial

declarations to the mass of organic utterances

that this is a Christian nation.

Today, on the top of the Washington Monument are

carved these words:

"Praise be to God.

fl

Along its

interior walls is inscribed:

'1n God We Trust; may

Heaven to this union continue its beneficence; Search

the Scriptures."

Above the Chief Justice of the

Supreme Court are the Ten Commandments. On the

wall opposite the President of the Senate are the

words,

'1n God We Trust

fl

Each session of Congress

and our high court starts with a prayer.

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