| ARKANSAS
CONSTITUTION Acknowledgment of God
Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful
to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government, for
our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and
secure the same to our selves and posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article II, section 2. All men are created equally free and
independent, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights, amongst which are
those of enjoying and defending life and liberty; of acquiring, possessing and
protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness. To secure
these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed.
Religion Clauses Article
II, section 24. All men have a natural and indefeasible right
to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no
man can, of right, be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship;
or to maintain any ministry against his consent. No human authority can, in any
case or manner whatsoever, control or interfere with the right of conscience;
and no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishment,
denomination or mode of worship above any other.
Article II,
section 25. Religion, morality and knowledge being essential
to good government, the General Assembly shall enact suitable laws to protect
every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public
worship.
Article II, section 26. No religious
test shall ever be required of any person as a qualification to vote or hold office,
nor shall any person be rendered incompetent to be a witness on account of his
religious belief; but nothing herein shall be construed to dispense with oaths
or affirmations.
Education Article XIV,
section 2. No money or property belonging to the public school
fund, or to this State for the benefit of schools or universities, shall ever
be used for any other than for the respective purposes to which it belongs.
Finance/Property Tax Article XVI, section 5.
(b) The following property shall be exempt from taxation: public property used
exclusively for public purposes; churches used as such; cemeteries used exclusively
as such; school buildings and apparatus; libraries and grounds used exclusively
for school purposes; and buildings and grounds and materials used exclusively
for public charity.
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Copyright
© 2002-2010 by Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP. All rights reserved.
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