What we used to be - Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation were the initial charter of The United States of America. Article III reads as follows:

The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.

Please take note that "religion" was the first thing on their minds, before sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.

How things have changed! The devil followed them here, invented TV, movies, and the Internet; and eventually stole their souls.

Or something like that.