The Church of England is referred to as the "established church" of England. At the time of the [[American Revolution]], it was a legal requirement in England that all public officials, including university professors, take an oath to uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England. This is what the [[United States Constitution| US Constitution]] is referring to when it says in Article VI that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States" and in the [[Bill of Rights]] when it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." | The Church of England is referred to as the "established church" of England. At the time of the [[American Revolution]], it was a legal requirement in England that all public officials, including university professors, take an oath to uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England. This is what the [[United States Constitution| US Constitution]] is referring to when it says in Article VI that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States" and in the [[Bill of Rights]] when it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." |