Maine Constitution - Article I. "Declaration of Rights"

Article I. "Declaration of Rights"

This Article contains 24 sections, of which the longest is on religious freedom. The first section starts "All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights." The beginning is similar to the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 which used the phrase "born free and equal", the basis for which slavery was abolished in that state in 1820.

The section on religious freedom starts with "all individuals have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences". This is notably different from the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 which referred to the "duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme being.

Read more about this topic:  Maine Constitution

Famous quotes containing the words article, declaration and/or rights:

    Reviews and magazines are at best ephemeral & superficial reading. Who thinks of the grand article of last year in any given review?
    George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)

    I enclose to you a copy of the declaration of independence as agreed to by the House, and also, as originally framed. You will judge whether it is the better or worse for the Critics.
    Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)

    A wife is property that one acquires by contract, she is transferable, because possession of her requires title; in fact, woman is, so to speak, only man’s appendage; consequently, slice, cut, clip her, you have all rights to her.
    HonorĂ© De Balzac (1799–1850)