Protection from Religious Supremacy Movements

It is interesting that the original Maryland State Constitution is/was the only legal document that provides protection against religious supremacy movements. You can find the exact words in the following Supreme Court Case:

http://supreme.justia.com/us/143/457/case.html Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, 143 U.S. 457 (1892)

Constitution of Maryland, 1867 (from 143 U.S. 457 at 469-69):

"That, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty, wherefore no person ought, by any law, to be molested in his person or estate on account of his religious persuasion or profession, or for his religious practice, unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good order, peace, or safety of the state, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil, or religious rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to frequent or maintain or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain any place of worship or any ministry; nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness or juror on account of his religious belief, provided he believes in the existence of God, and that, under his dispensation, such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefor, either in this world or the world to come. That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this state, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this constitution."

The key point here is that our US Constitution does not include the words: “…unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good order, peace, or safety of the state, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil, or religious rights…”

There should be a movement to incorporate these words into our State Constitutions and Statutes, our Federal Statutes and also by Constitutional Amendment.

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