Philadelphia Convention Research Paper

Before the Philadelphia Convention in 1778, individual states had their own constitutions. Some only a few short pages in length, others up to one hundred pages long. Religious beliefs and statuses were something of importance. It was referenced when it came to choosing a representative that will attend the convention, established in the oath the representative had to take to hold office, and later was seen to make decisions for the revised constitution. Several states had no official establishment of a single church or a religion sect. This was mostly seen throughout are smaller states; Rhode Island, Delaware, and New Jersey. While, the southern states, that were larger in population, had established one specific religion to represent as
If you were given the right to worship, you were also given some specific rules. Rules that stated to not disrupting the overall peace, church meetings, or other religious groups. This is a common trend seen throughout the states. Some of the states include Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Georgia. If a religious group was found guilty of breaking the laws, then they state would prosecute the law breakers. Connecticut was very open in their state constitution about prosecution of law breakers. The establishment of state religion effected how the states chose office. These men would eventually be representatives at the Philadelphia Convention. States has specific religious qualifications for representatives. Georgia, South Carolina, and New Jersey only allowed protestant to hold office. Maryland and Massachusetts only allowed Christians to hold office. The only other statement regarding election of office was that no minister could hold office. This is because during decision making, a minister may try to add his religious beliefs into the decision process. Making the law ineffective in the