Constitutional references to God
{{short description|none}}
File:Declaration of Independence, Broadside, printed by John Dunlap in Philadelphia.jpg originally of July 4, 1776, features multiple references to God, the US federal constitution makes little to no mention of God.]]
Constitutional references to God exist in the constitutions of a number of nations, most often in the preamble. A reference to God in a legal text is called invocatio dei ('invocation of God') if the text itself is proclaimed in the name of the deity. A reference to God in another context is called nominatio dei ('naming of God'). Such invocationes and nominationes dei are found notably in several European constitutional traditions (reflecting the strong position of established churches in those countries and the tradition of invoking God in legal documents) and in the constitutions of Islamic countries.
History
Invocationes dei have a long tradition in European legal history outside national constitutions. In ancient times and the Middle Ages, gods or God were normally invoked in contracts to guarantee the agreements made, and formulas such as "In the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" were used at the beginning of legal documents to emphasize the fairness and justness of the created norms.{{cite book|last=Klecha|first=Klaudia|title=The emerging constitutional law of the European Union: German and Polish perspectives|editor=Adam Bodnar|publisher=Springer|year=2003|series=Beiträge zum ausländischen öffentlichen Recht und Völkerrecht|volume=163|pages=551 et seq|chapter=The Controversy over Including invocatio Dei into the Future European Constitution|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2IlqpLXZwf0C&pg=PA551|isbn=978-3-540-40424-8}} Treaties between Christian nations customarily began with an invocation of God until the late 19th century.{{cite book|last=Lesaffer|first=Randall|title=Peace treaties and international law in European history: from the late Middle Ages to World War One|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2004|page=79|isbn=978-0-521-82724-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4GmTBaDq-8EC&pg=PA79}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
When written constitutions became the norm for modern states in the 19th century, several European states carried this tradition over to their founding documents and then retained it, while others – notably laicist France and states influenced by it – did not do so, so as to preserve the state's religious neutrality.Schmid, 19. Some European countries whose constitutions do not make reference to God include Norway (1814), Luxembourg (1868/1972), Iceland (1944/68), Italy (1947), Portugal (1976) and Spain (1978). In the United States, the federal constitution does not make a reference to God as such, although it uses the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII. At the state level, the constitutions of the states of California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,{{Cite web |title=Louisiana Laws - Louisiana State Legislature |url=https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=206274 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=www.legis.la.gov}} Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,{{Cite web|url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/constitution/|title = MN Constitution}} New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, and Washington, and the U.S. territory Puerto Rico, make a reference to God. They generally use an invocatio of "God the Almighty" or the "Supreme Ruler of the Universe".Schmid, 20.{{cite web |title=New Jersey State Constitution 1947 |url=https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/lawsconstitution/constitution.asp |website=New Jersey State Legislature |access-date=11 September 2018 |archive-date=30 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/lawsconstitution/constitution.asp |url-status=dead }}
When the newly independent nations of Eastern Europe and Asia adopted new democratic constitutions in the early 1990s following the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Eastern Bloc, they took a variety of approaches to the issue of mentioning God:
- The great majority of the new constitutions, including those of all ex-Soviet republics and dependent states except Hungary and Ukraine, make no mention of the supernatural in the preamble (Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro), including those rooted in a Muslim background (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan),Schmid, 26. or have no preamble at all (Romania, Latvia, Albania, Armenia and Azerbaijan).Schmid, 23. Instead, they make reference to secular values such as "liberty, justice and law” (Estonia) or "the generally accepted principles in the modern world" (Croatia). The 2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia later added a reference to God.
- The preambles to the Constitution of the Czech Republic and of Slovakia do not mention God directly, but refer to the country's "spiritual wealth" (Czech Republic) or to "the spiritual heritage of Cyril and Methodius" (Slovakia).Schmid, 25-26.
- Poland's and Ukraine's constitutional preambles contain a nominatio dei (see the list below).
Most recently, the inclusion of a nominatio dei was hotly debated in the preparation of the preamble to the proposed European Constitution. The governments of the member states eventually failed to reach consensus for a reference to Christianity. (See: History of the European Constitution.)
Functions
Invocationes and nominationes dei in constitutions are attributed a number of purposes:
- Legitimizing the state: An invocation of God can have the purpose of legitimizing governmental power by declaring it to be exercised according to the will of God rather than, or in addition to, the will of the people. Expressing the divine right of kings was a principal function of invocationes dei in early 19th century monarchic national constitutions, but is no longer an overt purpose of references to God in modern democratic constitutions.{{cite book|last=Naumann|first=Kolja|title=Eine religiöse Referenz in einem europäischen Verfassungsvertrag|publisher=Mohr Siebeck|year=2008|series=Jus internationale et Europaeum|volume=22|page=59|isbn=978-3-16-149704-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kkxAOB4TZTgC&pg=PA59|language=de}}
- Expressing governmental support for a specific religion: Some authors have nonetheless expressed the view that the nominatio dei in the republican German constitution of 1949 represents the establishment of a specifically Christian state, a "theonomic summit" of the constitution that commits the state to active support of Christian teachings such as in public education. This view is rejected in German constitutional practice.Naumann, 61.
- Challenging the state through reference to suprapositive law and common values: References to a power transcending human authority are seen as a reference to the concept of suprapositive law – that is, norms above and beyond those made by humans ("positive law"), such as divine law or natural law. This is perceived as an acknowledgment of inherent limitations of human law and power, as expressed in Radbruch's formula concerning the relationship between law and justice, or as a rejection of legal positivism altogether.Naumann, 64 et seq. A commitment to inherent limitations of the power of the state over its subjects is also perceived as reflecting a shared commitment to shared values such as human dignity that a state must presuppose rather than establish. Understood in this sense, a reference to God challenges, rather than supports and legitimizes, secular authority.Ehrenzeller, N 17-18.
- Anchoring the state in history and tradition: In countries with a long constitutional history and a heritage of shared religious faith, references to God in an otherwise secular constitution have been interpreted as serving a historical function by perpetuating the tradition of invocationes dei of older constitutions and by establishing the general conception of statehood (for instance, Western and Christian) underlying the constitution.Ehrenzeller, N 16.
Legal effect
The invocation of God and Jesus in the Preamble of the Constitution of Ireland has been cited in Supreme Court rulings. The concept of natural law has been used to elucidate unenumerated rights.
{{cite journal|last=Iglesias |first=Teresa |date=Spring 2000|title=The Dignity of the Individual in the Irish Constitution: The Importance of the Preamble |journal=Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review|publisher=Irish Province of the Society of Jesus|volume=89|issue=353 |pages=19–34|jstor=30095321}}
In 1983, Chief Justice Tom O'Higgins, in rejecting David Norris' appeal against the criminalization of buggery in the Offences against the Person Act 1861, stated "It cannot be doubted that the people, so asserting and acknowledging their obligations to our Divine Lord Jesus Christ, were proclaiming a deep religious conviction and faith and an intention to adopt a Constitution consistent with that conviction and faith and with Christian beliefs."
{{cite BAILII |country=ie |litigants=Norris v. A.G. |court=IESC |division= |year=1983 |num=3 |para= |date=22 April 1983 }}
The report of the 1996 Constitutional Review Group recommended amending the preamble to a simple enactment in the name of the people, which would not be cognisable by the courts.
{{cite book |last=Whitaker |first=T. K. |author-link=T. K. Whitaker |title=Report of the Constitution Review Group |publisher=Stationery Office |location=Dublin |year=1996 |pages=1–5 |isbn=0-7076-2440-1 |archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721123405/http://www.constitution.ie/reports/crg.pdf |url=http://www.constitution.ie/reports/crg.pdf |display-authors=etal}}
Conversely, in Canada the mention of God in the preamble to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has not had much effect. In considering the legal implications of the preamble in the 1999 case R. v. Sharpe, the British Columbia Court of Appeal referred to it as a "dead letter" which the BC justices had "no authority to breathe life" into.Farrow, Douglas. "Of Secularity and Civil Religion." In Recognizing Religion in a Secular Society: Essays in Pluralism, Religion, and Public Policy. Ed. Douglas Farrow. McGill-Queen's University Press, 2004.
List
{{Expand list|date=October 2009}}
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Country
! Enactment year ! Type of reference ! English text or translation ! Original text (if not in English) ! Notes |
|---|
| Algeria
|1976 |Invocatio |"In the Name of God the Merciful and the Compassionate"[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ag00000_.html Algeria Constitution] International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern, 1996 | | |
| Antigua and Barbuda
|1981 |Nominatio |"WHEREAS the People of Antigua and Barbuda – 1. proclaim that they are a sovereign nation founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God, the dignity and worth of the human person, the entitlement of all persons to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, the position of the family in a society of free men and women and free institutions; (...) NOW, THEREFORE, the following provisions shall have effect as the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda:"{{cite web|url=http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Antigua/antigua-barbuda.html|title=Republic of Antigua and Barbuda: Constitution of 1981|work= Political Database of the Americas (PDBA)|publisher=Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), Georgetown University|access-date=2009-10-30}} |(Original text in English) |
| Albania
| 1998 | Nominatio | "We, the people of Albania, proud and aware of our history, with responsibility for the future, and with faith in God and/or other universal values, ... We establish this Constitution:"[http://www.ipls.org/services/kusht/intro.html Albanian Constitution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208064923/http://www.ipls.org/services/kusht/intro.html |date=2009-12-08 }}, Institute for Policy & Legal Studies |"Ne, Populli i Shqipërisë, krenarë dhe të vetëdijshëm për historinë tonë, mepërgjegjësi për të ardhmen, me besim te Zoti dhe/ose te vlera të tjera universale, ... Vendosim këtë Kushtetutë:"{{Cite web |date=1998-10-21 |title=QBZ - Qendra e Botimeve Zyrtare |url=https://qbz.gov.al/preview/635d44bd-96ee-4bc5-8d93-d928cf6f2abd |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=qbz.gov.al |publisher=Ministry of Justice, Republic of Albania |language=Albanian}} | |
| Australia
|1900 |Nominatio | "Whereas the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania, humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God, have agreed to unite in one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth under the Crown ... Be it therefore enacted ... as follows:"[http://www.aph.gov.au/SEnate/general/Constitution/preamble.htm Commonwealth Of Australia Constitution Act] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520151519/http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/general/constitution/preamble.htm |date=2009-05-20 }} Parliament of Australia, 21 May 2003 |(Original text in English) | Western Australia is not mentioned even though it became one of the original states of the Commonwealth of Australia because at the time the Constitution Act was drafted it was not certain whether WA would join the Australian Commonwealth or not. |
| Argentina
|1853 |Nominatio |"We, the representatives of the people of the Argentine Nation, ... invoking the protection of God, source of all reason and justice: do ordain, decree, and establish this Constitution for the Argentine Nation."[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ar00000_.html Argentina Constitution] International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern, 1998 | {{in lang|es}} "Nos los representantes del pueblo de la Nación Argentina, ... invocando la protección de Dios, fuente de toda razón y justicia: ordenamos, decretamos y establecemos esta Constitución, para la Nación Argentina."{{cite web|url=http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Argentina/argen94.html|title=CONSTITUCIÓN NACIONAL DE LA REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA (1994)|publisher=Political Database of the Americas (Georgetown University)|access-date=2009-10-28}} | |
| Bahamas
|1973 |Nominatio |"Whereas Four hundred and eighty-one years ago the rediscovery of this Family of Islands, Rocks and Cays heralded the rebirth of the New World; And Whereas the People of this Family of Islands recognizing that the preservation of their Freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to Self-discipline, Industry, Loyalty, Unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the Rule of Law; Now Know Ye Therefore: We the Inheritors of and Successors to this Family of Islands, recognizing the Supremacy of God and believing in the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual, Do Hereby Proclaim in Solemn Praise the Establishment of a Free and Democratic Sovereign Nation founded on Spiritual Values and in which no Man, Woman or Child shall ever be Slave or Bondsman to anyone or their Labour exploited or their Lives frustrated by deprivation, and do Hereby Provide by these Articles for the indivisible Unity and Creation under God of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas."{{cite web|url=http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Bahamas/bah73.html|title=Bahamas: 1973 Constitution|work= Political Database of the Americas (PDBA)|publisher=Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), Georgetown University|access-date=2009-10-30}} |(Original text in English) | |
| Bahrain
| 2002 | Invocatio | "In the name of God on high, and with His blessing, and with His help, we Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in line with our determination, certainty, faith, and awareness of our national, pan-Arab and international responsibilities; and in acknowledgment of our obligations to God, our obligations to the homeland and the citizens, and our commitment to fundamental principles and our responsibility to Mankind, ... we have amended the existing Constitution"[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ba00000_.html Bahrain Constitution] International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern, 2002 | | |
| Bangladesh
| 1979 | Preamble | "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful/In the name of Creator, the Merciful"{{Cite web|url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367.html|title = The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh}} | {{in lang|bn}} "বিসমিল্লাহির-রাহমানির-রাহীম (দয়াময়, পরম দয়ালু, আল্লাহের নামে/পরম করুণাময় সৃষ্টিকর্তার নামে)" | |
| Brazil
| 1988 | Nominatio | "We, the representatives of the Brazilian People, ... promulgate, under the protection of God, this CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL."{{cite web|url=http://www.v-brazil.com/government/laws/preamble.html|title=CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL, 1988|publisher=Brazil Travel (v-brazil.com)|access-date=2009-10-28}} | {{in lang|pt}} "Nós, representantes do povo brasileiro, ... promulgamos, sob a proteção de Deus, a seguinte CONSTITUIÇÃO DA REPÚBLICA FEDERATIVA DO BRASIL."{{cite web|url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/Constituicao/Constitui%C3%A7ao.htm|title=CONSTITUIÇÃO DA REPÚBLICA FEDERATIVA DO BRASIL DE 1988|publisher=Official Website of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil|access-date=2009-10-28}} | |
| Canada
| 1982 | Nominatio | "Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law"[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ca02000_.html Canada - Constitution Act 1982] International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern, 1994 | (Original text in English) | |
| Cook Islands
| Invocatio | "IN THE HOLY NAME OF GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, THE EVERLOVING AND THE EVERLASTING We, the people of the Cook Islands, recognising the heritage of Christian principles, Cook Islands custom, and the rule of law, remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day, being that day of the week which, according to a person's belief and conscience, is the Sabbath of the Lord."{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.gov.ck/Constitution.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924064410/http://www.parliament.gov.ck/Constitution.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Constitution of the Cook Islands with amendments incorporated", Preamble, parliament.gov.ck.|archivedate=September 24, 2015}} | (Original text in English) | |
| Danish Realm
|1953 |Preamble |We Frederik the Ninth, by the Mercy of God King of Denmark... |Vi Frederik den Niende, af Guds Nåde Konge til Danmark...{{Citation |last=Statsministeriet |title=Danmarks Riges Grundlov (Grundloven) (* 1) |date=1953-05-06 |url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/1953/169 |access-date=2023-01-26}} | |
| Fiji
| 1988 | Nominatio | "WE, THE PEOPLE OF THE FIJI ISLANDS, seeking the blessing of God who has always watched over these islands: RECALLING the events in our history that have made us what we are, especially the settlement of these islands by the ancestors of the indigenous Fijian and Rotuman people; the arrival of forebears of subsequent settlers, including Pacific Islanders, Europeans, Indians and Chinese; the conversion of the indigenous inhabitants of these islands from heathenism to Christianity through the power of the name of Jesus Christ; the enduring influence of Christianity in these islands and its contribution, along with that of other faiths, to the spiritual life of Fiji: ... WITH GOD AS OUR WITNESS, GIVE OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION"[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/fj00000_.html Fiji Constitution] International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern, 2000 |(Original text in English) | |
| Georgia
| 1995 | | "We, the citizens of Georgia – whose firm will it is to establish a democratic social order, economic freedom, and a legal and a social state; (...) proclaim this Constitution before God and the nation." (Preamble) "Along with freedom of belief and religion, the State shall recognise the outstanding role of the Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia in the history of Georgia, and its independence from the State.(...)" (Art. 8) "Prior to assuming office, on the third Sunday after the election day, the newly elected President of Georgia shall address the people and take the following oath of office: ‘I, the President of Georgia, do solemnly affirm before God and the nation that I will support and defend the Constitution of Georgia, the independence, unity and indivisibility of the country; that I will faithfully perform the duties of the President, will care for the security and welfare of the citizens of my country and for the revival and might of my nation and homeland.'" (Art. 51;1) | {{in lang|ka}} "ჩვენ, საქართველოს მოქალაქენი, რომელთა ურყევი ნებაა, დავამკვიდროთ დემოკრატიული საზოგადოებრივი წესწყობილება, ეკონომიკური თავისუფლება, სოციალური და სამართლებრივი სახელმწიფო, (...) ღვთისა და ქვეყნის წინაშე ვაცხადებთ ამ კონსტიტუციას." (პრეამბულა) "რწმენისა და აღმსარებლობის თავისუფლებასთან ერთად სახელმწიფო აღიარებს საქართველოს სამოციქულო ავტოკეფალური მართლმადიდებელი ეკლესიის განსაკუთრებულ როლს საქართველოს ისტორიაში და მის დამოუკიდებლობას სახელმწიფოსაგან. (...)" (მუხლი 8) "თანამდებობის დაკავების წინ, არჩევის დღიდან მესამე კვირა დღეს საქართველოს ახალარჩეული პრეზიდენტი მიმართავს ხალხს და დებს ფიცს: „მე, საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი, ღვთისა და ერის წინაშე ვფიცავ, რომ დავიცავ საქართველოს კონსტიტუციას, ქვეყნის დამოუკიდებლობას, ერთიანობასა და განუყოფლობას, კეთილსინდისიერად აღვასრულებ პრეზიდენტის მოვალეობას, ვიზრუნებ ჩემი ქვეყნის მოქალაქეთა უსაფრთხოებისა და კეთილდღეობისათვის, ჩემი ხალხისა და მამულის აღორძინებისა და ძლევამოსილებისათვის“." (მუხლი 51;1)" | See also: Concordat between the Georgian State and the Georgian Orthodox Church |
| Germany (West)
| 1949 | Nominatio | "Conscious of their responsibility before God and man, (...) the German people, in the exercise of their constituent power, have adopted this Basic Law."{{cite web|url=https://www.btg-bestellservice.de/pdf/80201000.pdf|title=Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany|publisher=Federal Ministry of Justice|access-date=2009-10-21}} | {{in lang|de}} "Im Bewußtsein seiner Verantwortung vor Gott und den Menschen (...) hat sich das Deutsche Volk kraft seiner verfassungsgebenden Gewalt dieses Grundgesetz gegeben."{{cite web|url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gg/BJNR000010949.html|title=Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland|publisher=Bundestag|access-date=2009-10-21}} | |
| Greece
| 1975 | Invocatio | "In the name of the Holy and Consubstantial and Indivisible Trinity."{{cite web|url=http://www.ministryofjustice.gr/files/Syntagma.pdf |title=Εφημερίς της Κυβερνήσεως, Τεύχος Πρώτο, Αρ. Φύλλου 85 (18 Απριλίου 2001) |publisher=Hellenic Ministry of Justice |access-date=2009-10-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530081156/http://www.ministryofjustice.gr/files/Syntagma.pdf |archive-date=May 30, 2009 }} | {{in lang|el}} "Εν ονόματι της Αγίας και Ομοουσίου και Αδιαιρέτου Τριάδος." | The preamble dates back to the first Greek constitution, adopted in 1822 during the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. |
| Hungary
| 2011 |Preamble, Nominatio | "God bless the Hungarians" "We recognise the role of Christianity in preserving nationhood. We value the various religious traditions of our country." "We, the Members of the National Assembly elected on 25 April 2010, being aware of our responsibility before God and man and in exercise of our constituent power, hereby adopt this to be the first unified Fundamental Law of Hungary."{{Cite web |title=Hungary 2011 (rev. 2016) Constitution - Constitute |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Hungary_2016#:~:text=Hungary%20shall%20be%20an%20independent,rule-of-law%20State.&text=The%20form%20of%20government%20of,,%20in%20exceptional%20cases,%20directly. |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=www.constituteproject.org |language=en}} |"Isten, áldd meg a magyart!" "Elismerjük a kereszténység nemzetmegtartó szerepét. Becsüljük országunk különböző vallási hagyományait." "Mi, a 2010. április 25-én megválasztott Országgyűlés képviselői, Isten és ember előtti felelősségünk tudatában, élve alkotmányozó hatalmunkkal, Magyarország első egységes Alaptörvényét a fentiek szerint állapítjuk meg."{{Cite web |date=2011-03-14 |title=Magyarország Alaptörvénye |url=https://www.parlament.hu/irom39/02627/02627.pdf |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=parlament.hu |pages=1, 31 |language=Hungarian |format=PDF}} |The amendment cited here of the Fundamental Law of Hungary is the original publication of the 2011 amendment, prior to subsequent revisions. Due to the works of the current political administration in Hungary, it is unclear as to how much of it is still in effect today. |
| Indonesia
| 1945 | Invocatio | "... By the grace of God Almighty and urged by the lofty aspiration to exist as a free nation, Now therefore, the people of Indonesia declare herewith their independence, ..." "... which is to be established as the State of the Republic of Indonesia with sovereignty of the people and based on the belief in the One and Only God, ..."{{Cite book|url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Indonesia|title = Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia}} | "... Atas berkat rahmat Allah Yang Maha Kuasa, dan dengan didorongkan oleh keinginan luhur supaya berkehidupan kebangsaan yang bebas, maka rakyat Indonesia menyatakan dengan ini kemerdekaannya, ..." "... yang terbentuk dalam suatu susunan Negara Republik Indonesia yang berkedaulatan rakyat dengan berdasarkan kepada, Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa,..." | |
| Iran
| 1979 | Nominatio | "The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran advances the cultural, social, political, and economic institutions of Iranian society based on Islamic principles and norms, which represent an honest aspiration of the Islamic Ummah."{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/law/icl/ir00000_.html|title=Iran - Constitution|publisher=International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern|access-date=2009-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114195529/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/law/icl/ir00000_.html|archive-date=2007-11-14|url-status=dead}} | | The preamble goes on to outline the Islamic nature of the Republic at great length with numerous references to God, and the constitutional text establishes the state as "a system based on belief in the One God". |
| Ireland
| 1937 | Invocatio | "In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred, We, the people of Éire, humbly acknowledging all our obligations to our Divine Lord, Jesus Christ, who sustained our fathers through centuries of trial, (...) do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this Constitution."{{cite web |url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Youth_Zone/About_the_Constitution,_Flag,_Anthem_Harp/Constitution_of_Ireland_Eng_Nov2004.htm |title=Constitution of Ireland |publisher=Department of the Taoiseach |access-date=2009-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005012615/http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Youth_Zone/About_the_Constitution%2C_Flag%2C_Anthem_Harp/Constitution_of_Ireland_Eng_Nov2004.htm |archive-date=2009-10-05 }} | {{in lang|ga}}"In Ainm na Tríonóide Ró-Naofa is tobar don uile údarás agus gur chuici, ós í is críoch dheireanach dúinn, is dírithe ní amháin gníomhartha daoine ach gníomhartha Stát, Ar mbeith dúinne, muintir na hÉireann, ag admháil go huiríseal a mhéid atáimid faoi chomaoin ag Íosa Críost, ár dTiarna Dia, a thug comhfhurtacht dár sinsir i ngach cruatan ina rabhadar ar feadh na gcéadta bliain, (...) Atáimid leis seo ag gabháil an Bhunreachta seo chugainn, agus á achtú agus á thíolacadh dúinn féin."{{cite web |url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/attached_files/html%20files/BunreachtNAh%C3%89ireann1.htm |title=Bunreacht Na hÉireann |publisher=Department of the Taoiseach|access-date=2009-10-21}} | Articles referring to God are: 6.1 (" All powers of government, legislative, executive and judicial, derive, under God, from the people"); 44.1 ("The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion."); and the oaths prescribed for the President (12.8), the Council of State (31.4), and the Judiciary (34.5.1). |
| Kuwait
| 1962 | Invocatio | "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, We, Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah, ... do hereby approve this Constitution and promulgate it."[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ku00000_.html Kuwait - Constitution] International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern, 1962 | | |
| Liberia
| 1986 | Nominatio | "We the People of the Republic of Liberia: Acknowledging our devout gratitude to God for our existence as a Free, Sovereign and Independent State, and relying on His Divine Guidance for our survival as a Nation; ... Do hereby solemnly make, establish, proclaim, and publish this Constitution for the governance of the Republic of Liberia."[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/li00000_.html Liberia - Constitution] International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern, 1986 |(Original text in English) | |
| Madagascar
| 1992 | Nominatio | "The sovereign Malagasy people, profoundly attached to their cultural and spiritual values, especially to the basis of national unity; affirming their belief in God the Creator; ... declares: ..."[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ma00000_.html Madagascar - Constitution], International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern 1992 | | |
| Mauritania
| 1991 | Nominatio | "Trusting in the omnipotence of Allah, the Mauritanian people proclaims ..."[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/mr00000_.html Mauritania - Constitution] International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern, 1991 | |
| Nicaragua
| 1987 | Nominatio | "In the Name of the Nicaraguan people, all democratic, patriotic and revolutionary parties and organizations of Nicaragua, its men and women, its workers and peasants, its glorious youth, its heroic mothers, those Christians who inspired by their belief in GOD have joined and committed themselves to the struggle for the liberation of the oppressed, its patriotic intellectuals, and all those who through their productive work contribute to the defense of the Homeland; ... We promulgate the following POLITICAL CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA"{{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Nicaragua_2014.pdf?lang=en |title=Nicaragua's Constitution of 1987 with Amendments through 2014 |publisher=constituteproject.org |access-date=2020-07-10}} | {{in lang|es}} "En Nombre Del pueblo nicaragüense; de todos los partidos y organizaciones democráticas, patrióticas y revolucionarias de Nicaragua; de sus hombres y mujeres; de sus obreros y campesinos; de su gloriosa juventud; de sus heroicas madres; de los cristianos que desde su fe en DIOS se han comprometido e insertado en la lucha por la liberación de los oprimidos; de sus intelectuales patrióticos; y de todos los que con su trabajo productivo contribuyen a la defense de la Patria. ... Promulgamos la siguiente CONSTITUCIÓN POLÍTICA DE LA REPÚBLICA DE NICARAGUA"{{cite web|url=http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/gacetas/2014/2/g32.pdf |title=TEXTO DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN POLÍTICA DE LA REPÚBLICA DE NICARAGUA CON SUS REFORMAS INCORPORADAS |publisher=National Assembly of the Republic of Nicaragua |access-date=2020-12-18}} | |
| Norway
|1814 | | "Our values remain from our Christian and humanist heritage..." "As soon as the King, being of age, accedes to the Government, he shall take the following oath before the Storting: «I promise and swear that I will govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and Laws; so help me God, the Almighty and Omniscient.»"{{Cite web |title=The Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway - Lovdata |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/1814-05-17 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=lovdata.no}} |"Verdigrunnlaget forblir vår kristne og humanistiske arv." "Så snart kongen, som myndig, tiltrer regjeringen, avlegger han følgende ed for Stortinget: «Jeg lover og sverger å ville regjere kongeriket Norge i overensstemmelse med dets konstitusjon og lover, så sant hjelpe meg Gud den allmektige og allvitende!»" |§2 §9 |
| Pakistan
|1973 | |"Whereas sovereignty over the entire Universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone, and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust"{{Cite web |title=Preamble to the Pakistani Constitution |url=https://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/preamble.html |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.pakistani.org}} | | |
| Papua New Guinea
|1975 |Preamble |WE, THE PEOPLE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA — united in one nation, pay homage to the memory of our ancestors — the source of our strength and origin of our combined heritage - acknowledge the worthy customs and traditional wisdoms of our people — which have come down to us from generation to generation pledge ourselves to guard and pass on to those who come after us our noble traditions and the Christian principles that are ours now. By authority of our inherent right as ancient, free and independent peoples WE, THE PEOPLE, do now establish this sovereign nation and declare ourselves, under the guiding hand of God, to be the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.{{Cite web |title=Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea |url=https://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/cotisopng534/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.paclii.org}} |(Original text in English) | |
| Paraguay
| 1992 | Invocatio | "The Paraguayan people, through their legitimate representatives convening at the National Constituent Assembly, pleading to God, ... hereby approve and promulgate this Constitution."{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/law/icl/pa00000_.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20091222034030/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/law/icl/pa00000_.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-12-22|title=Political Constitution of 1992|publisher=International Constitutional Law|access-date=2009-10-28}} | {{in lang|es}} "El pueblo paraguayo, por medio de sus legítimos representantes reunidos en Convención Nacional Constituyente, invocando Dios, ... SANCIONA Y PROMULGA esta Constitución."{{cite web|url=http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Paraguay/para1992.html|title=Constitución Política de 1992|publisher=Political Database of the Americas (Georgetown University)|access-date=2009-10-28}} | |
| Peru
| 1993 | Invocatio | "The Democratic Constituent Congress invoking Almighty God, ... has resolved to enact the following Constitution:"{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.gob.pe/_ingles/CONSTITUTION_29_08_08.pdf|title=Political Constitution of Peru 1993|publisher=Congress of the Republic of Peru|access-date=2009-10-28|archive-date=2015-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724084722/http://www4.congreso.gob.pe/_ingles/CONSTITUTION_29_08_08.pdf|url-status=dead}} | {{in lang|es}} "El Congreso Constituyente Democrático, invocando a Dios Todopoderoso, ... ha resuelto dar la siguiente Constitución:"{{cite web|url=http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Peru/per93reforms05.html|title=CONSTITUCION POLÍTICA DEL PERÚ 1993|publisher=Political Database of the Americas (Georgetown University)|access-date=2009-10-28}} | |
| Philippines
| 1987 | Invocatio | We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, ... do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.{{cite web|url= http://www.chanrobles.com/preamble.htm|title=THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PREAMBLE|work= 2006 |publisher= Chan Robles Publishing Company|access-date=2009-10-28 }} | | |
| Poland
| 1997 | Nominatio | "We, the Polish Nation – all citizens of the Republic, both those who believe in God as the source of truth, justice, good and beauty, as well as those not sharing such faith but respecting those universal values as arising from other sources, (...) beholden to our ancestors (...) for our culture rooted in the Christian heritage of the Nation and in universal human values, (...) recognizing our responsibility before God or our own consciences, hereby establish this Constitution of the Republic of Poland"{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Poland|publisher=Sejm of the Republic of Poland|access-date=2009-10-21}} | {{in lang|pl}} "My, Naród Polski - wszyscy obywatele Rzeczypospolitej, zarówno wierzący w Boga będącego źródłem prawdy, sprawiedliwości, dobra i piękna, jak i nie podzielający tej wiary, a te uniwersalne wartości wywodzący z innych źródeł, (...) w poczuciu odpowiedzialności przed Bogiem lub przed własnym sumieniem, ustanawiamy Konstytucję Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej"{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/polski/kon1.htm|title=Konstytucja Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej|publisher=Sejm of the Republic of Poland|access-date=2009-10-21}} | The preamble's juxtaposition of a nominatio dei with an evocation of humanist values emerged as an attempt to compromise between the Catholic Church's demand for a strong invocatio dei and opposition by Left and liberal circles who feared the establishment of a confessional state.{{cite book|last=Zubrzycki|first=Geneviève|author-link=Geneviève Zubrzycki|title=The crosses of Auschwitz: nationalism and religion in post-communist Poland|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=2006|pages=91 et seq|isbn=978-0-226-99304-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6HI5Bbn9e8sC&pg=PA91}} |
| Russia
| 2020 |Nominatio | "The Russian Federation, united by the millennium history, preserving the memory of the ancestors who conveyed to us ideals and belief in God, as well as continuity of development of the Russian state, recognises the unanimity of the State that was established historically."{{cite web | title=Constitution of the Russia Federation | url=https://rm.coe.int/constitution-of-the-russian-federation-en/1680a1a237 | date=4 February 2021 | work=Council of Europe | access-date=5 March 2022}} |"Российская Федерация, объединенная тысячелетней историей, сохраняя память предков, передавших нам идеалы и веру в Бога, а также преемственность в развитии Российского государства, признает исторически сложившееся государственное единство."{{Cite web |date=3 July 2020 |title=Constitution of the Russian Federation |url=https://mid.ru/upload/medialibrary/a67/hc62o2159frayszge7iniwa081euhklk/0001202210060013.pdf |access-date=10 May 2025 |website=mid.ru |language=Russian |format=PDF}} | |
| Rwanda
| 1991 | Nominatio | "The National Council for Development, meeting as Constituent Assembly on 30 May 1991; Trusting in God Almighty; ... Does establish and adopt this Constitution for the Republic of Rwanda"[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/rw00000_.html Rwanda - Constitution], International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern 1991 | | |
| Samoa
| 2017 | | "Samoa is a Christian nation founded of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit".{{cite magazine |magazine=The Diplomat |title=Samoa Officially Becomes a Christian State |first=Grant |last=Wyeth |url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/06/samoa-officially-becomes-a-christian-state/ |date=June 16, 2017 |access-date=June 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616153746/https://thediplomat.com/2017/06/samoa-officially-becomes-a-christian-state/ |archive-date=June 16, 2017}} | |
| South Africa
| 1996 | Nominatio | "May God protect our people. | | This multi-lingual evocation, set at the end of the preamble, has been called a "rhetorical petition prayer". |
| Sweden (Act of Succession) | 1810 | Nominatio | "We CARL, by the Grace of God, King of Sweden, the Goths, and the Wends, &c., &c., &c., Heir to Norway, Duke of Schleswig Holstein, Stormarn and Ditmarsen, Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst, &c., &c.,(...) " "We, the undersigned Estates of the Realm of Sweden, counts, barons, bishops, knights, and nobility, clergy, burghers and peasants, now convened in extraordinary general session of the Riksdag (...) hereby make known that (...) our present most gracious King and Lord, Carl XIII, after his death (be it long deferred by the Grace of God Almighty) to be crowned and hailed as King of Sweden" (...) "In witness of the fact that all that has been thus prescribed is identical with our intent and decision we, representing all the Estates of the Realm of Sweden, hereto attach our names and seals, in Örebro, the twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten." (...) "In witness whereof We have this day with Our own hand signed and confirmed it, and duly affixed Our Royal seal thereto, in Örebro, on the twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ one thousand eight hundred and ten."{{cite web|url=https://riksdagen.se/globalassets/07.-dokument--lagar/the-act-of-succession-2012.pdf |title=Act of Succession |publisher=Riksdag of Sweden |access-date=2019-07-05}} | (in Swedish) "Vi CARL, med Guds nåde, Sveriges, Götes och Vendes Konung &c. &c. &c., arvinge till Norge, hertig till Schleswig Holstein, Stormarn och Ditmarsen, greve till Oldenburg och Delmenhorst &c. &c.,(...)" "Vi efterskrivne Svea rikes Ständer, grevar, friherrar, biskopar, ridderskap och adel, klerkeri, borgerskap och menige allmoge, som nu här i Örebro till allmän urtima riksdag församlade äro, göre veterligt: (...) Vår nu regerande allernådigste Konung och Herre, Carl den XIII:e, efter dess dödliga frånfälle (varmed den Högste Guden nådeligen länge fördröje) i regeringen över Svea rike samt detsamma underlydande länder efterträda, till Sveriges Konung krönas och hyllas" (...) "Till yttermera visso, att vi allt detta föreskrivna så belevat och beslutit, have vi samtlige Svea rikes Ständer detta underskrivit och beseglat; som skedde i Örebro den tjugusjätte dagen i september månad, år efter Kristi börd, ett tusende åttahundrade och på det tionde." (...) "Till yttermera visso have Vi detta med egen hand underskrivit och bekräftat, samt Vårt kungl. insegel låtit veterligen hänga här nedanföre, som skedde i Örebro, den tjugosjätte dagen i september månad, året efter Vår Herres och Frälsares Jesu Kristi börd, det ett tusende åttahundrade och på det tionde."{{Cite web |title=Successionsordning (1810:0926); |url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/successionsordning-18100926_sfs-1810-0926/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=www.riksdagen.se |language=sv}} | The preamble of the 1810 Act of Succession, which remains part of the fundamental laws, calls upon God several times according to the forms of the time |
| Switzerland
| 1999 | Invocatio | "In the name of Almighty God! The Swiss People and the Cantons (...) adopt the following Constitution:"{{cite web|url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/101|title=Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation|publisher=Swiss Federal Authorities|access-date=2009-10-21}} | {{in lang|de}} "Im Namen Gottes des Allmächtigen! Das Schweizervolk und die Kantone (...) geben sich folgende Verfassung:"{{cite web|url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/101/ani1.html|title=Bundesverfassung der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft: Präambel|publisher=Swiss Federal Authorities|access-date=2009-10-21}} | The invocation of God is a Swiss constitutional tradition going back to the Federal Charter of 1291.{{cite book |author1=Bernhard Ehrenzeller|author2= Philipp Mastronardi|author3= Rainer J. Schweizer|author4= Klaus A. Vallender |title=Die schweizerische Bundesverfassung, Kommentar |year=2002 |location=Preamble, N 14 |isbn= 3-905455-70-6|language=de}} |
| Tunisia
| 1959 | Invocatio | "In the name of God, the Compassionate and Merciful ... We, the representatives of the Tunisian people, free and sovereign, proclaim, by the Grace of God, the present Constitution."[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ts00000_.html Tunisia - Constitution] International Constitutional Law Project, University of Bern 1988 | | |
| Ukraine
|1996 | Nominatio | "The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, (...) aware of our responsibility before God, our own conscience, past, present and future generations, (...) adopts this Constitution"Schmid, 24. | | |
| Vanuatu
| 1980 | Nominatio | "WE, the people of Vanuatu... HEREBY proclaim the establishment of the united and free Republic of Vanuatu founded on traditional Melanesian values, faith in God, and Christian principles" | | |
| Venezuela
| 1999 | Nominatio | "The people of Venezuela, exercising their powers of creation and invoking the protection of God, the historic example of our Liberator Simon Bolivar and the heroism and sacrifice of our aboriginal ancestors and the forerunners and founders of a free and sovereign nation; ... exercising their innate power through their representatives comprising the National Constituent Assembly, by their freely cast vote and in a democratic Referendum, hereby ordain the following CONSTITUTION"{{cite web|url=http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/venezuela-constitution.html |title=Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (in English translation from the original legal text) |publisher=University of Minnesota - Human Rights Library |access-date=2020-07-05}} | {{in lang|es}} "El pueblo de Venezuela, en ejercicio de sus poderes creadores e invocando la protección de Dios, el ejemplo histórico de nuestro Libertador Simón Bolívar y el heroísmo y sacrificio de nuestros antepasados aborígenes y de los precursores y forjadores de una patria libre y soberana; ... en ejercicio de su poder originario representado por la Asamblea Nacional Constituyente mediante el voto libre y en referendo democrático, decreta la siguiente CONSTITUCIÓN"{{cite web|url=http://www.cne.gob.ve/web/normativa_electoral/constitucion/preambulo.php |title=Constitución de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela |publisher=Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) |access-date=2020-07-05}} | |
| Zambia
|1991 |Preamble |"WE, THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA: ACKNOWLEDGE the supremacy of God Almighty; DECLARE the Republic a Christian Nation while upholding a person’s right to freedom of conscience, belief or religion; (...)"{{Cite web |date=2016-01-05 |title=Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) |url=https://www.parliament.gov.zm/sites/default/files/documents/amendment_act/Constitution%20of%20Zambia%20%20(Amendment),%202016-Act%20No.%202_0.pdf |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=parliament.gov.zm |publisher=The Government of Zambia |format=PDF}} |(Original text in English) | |
See also
References
{{reflist|refs=
{{cite journal|last=Schmid|first=Konrad|date=February 2004|title=In The Name of God? The Problem of Religious or Non-religious Preambles to State Constitutions in Post-atheistic Contexts|journal= Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe|publisher=George Fox University; Evangel Press|location=Nappanee, Indiana, U.S.A|volume=XXIV|issue=1|pages=19–32|issn=1069-4781|url=http://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/soc-swk/ree/2004/schmid.pdf|access-date=2009-10-21}}
{{cite web|url= http://www.chanrobles.com/preamble.htm|title=THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PREAMBLE|author=Chan Robles Virtual Law Library|work= 2006 |publisher= Chan Robles Publishing Company|access-date=2009-10-28 }}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Constitutional References To God}}