Article I. Declaration of Rights
Article I, Section 3
Constitution of the State of Tennessee
Official text
That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience; that no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any minister against his consent; that no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience; and that no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishment or mode of worship.
Source: Tennessee Blue Book 2025-2026 (Tennessee Secretary of State)
In plain English
Everyone has a natural right to worship Almighty God according to conscience. No one can be forced to attend or pay for a church or minister, no human authority may control the rights of conscience, and the law may never prefer one religious establishment or form of worship.
Plain-English summary drafted by Christian Vote USA; editor review pending. Always read the official text above.
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Learn more
- Tennessee's Declaration of Rights: Power Belongs to the People (Your Rights and Duties in Tennessee)
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