Separation of church & state or God in the Constitution? Maryland’s Constitution specifically acknowledges God 5 times, the Almighty once, Sovereign Being once, and the Divine. Not only does it start with “WE, THE PEOPLE of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty,” but it declares that “it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him.” It also states in Article 36 “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 in the world to come.” In Article 37, it states “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.”

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