

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
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Each session of Congress
and our high court starts with a prayer.
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