# Ri. Const. art. I, § 3: Freedom of religion

> Rhode Island · Constitutions · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S3

## Section

- **Citation:** Ri. Const. art. I, § 3
- **Heading:** Freedom of religion
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Constitutions
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Article I / Section 3

## Text

Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; and all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness; and whereas a principal object of our venerable ancestors, in their migration to this country and their settlement of this state, was, as they expressed it, to hold forth a lively experiment that a flourishing civil state may stand and be best maintained with full liberty in religious concernments; we, therefore, declare that no person shall be compelled to frequent or to support any religious worship, place, or ministry what ever, except in fulfillment of such person’s voluntary contract; nor enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in body or goods; nor disqualified from holding any office; nor otherwise suffer on account of such person’s religious belief; and that every person shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of such person’s conscience, and to profess and by argument to maintain such person’s opinion in matters of religion; and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect the civil capacity of any person.

## Nearby sections

- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 1 Right to make and alter Constitution — Constitution obligatory upon all.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S1.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 2 Laws for good of whole — Burdens to be equally distributed — Due process — Equal protection — Discrimination — No right to abortion granted.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S2.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 3 Freedom of religion.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S3.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 4 Slavery prohibited.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S4.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 5 Entitlement to remedies for injuries and wrongs — Right to justice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S5.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 6 Search and seizure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S6.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 7 Requirement of presentment or indictment — Information by attorney-general — Grand juries — Double jeopardy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S7.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 8 Bail, fines and punishments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S8.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 9 Right to bail — Habeas corpus.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S9.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 10 Rights of accused persons in criminal proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S10.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 11 Relief of debtors from prison.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S11.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 12 Ex post facto laws — Laws impairing obligation of contract.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S12.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 13 Self-crimination.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S13.md)
- [Ri. Const. art. I, § 14 Presumption of innocence — Securing accused persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_RI_AI_S3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.