“Forced Worship Stinks in God’s Nostrils”: The Inquisition, Sepharad, and the American Experiment

Authors

Isaac Amon

Abstract

In December 1791, the Bill of Rights, comprising the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, enshrined fundamental protections for individual freedoms, with the First Amendment guaranteeing liberty of conscience. This milestone, however, was the culmination of centuries of struggle. The arrival of Iberian Jews, including conversos, in North America played a pivotal role in shaping the course of American history. The Founders referenced the Inquisition in their letters and debates, particularly in discussions on legal protections for criminal suspects and the broader issue of religious liberty. Founding assurances of religious freedom to Jews and Christians stand in stark contrast to the Inquisition, which persisted well into the early 19th century. Furthermore, several prominent Jewish leaders along the Eastern Seaboard (in cities such as New York, Newport, Philadelphia, and Savannah) had directly fled the Inquisition (or their parents had) and they had met or corresponded with the Framers. Ultimately, the Founding Fathers' deep repugnance toward the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions, alongside a Jewish presence in early America, contributed to consecrating the ideal of religious freedom in the early Republic. This extraordinary legacy continues into the 21st century.

Recommended Citation

Amon, Isaac (2025) "“Forced Worship Stinks in God’s Nostrils”: The Inquisition, Sepharad, and the American Experiment," Touro Law Review: Vol. 40: No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.tourolaw.edu/lawreview/vol40/iss1/4