The Supreme Court's 1971 ruling in Lemon v. Kurtzman is significant in clarifying the meaning of the First Amendment, particularly in relation to the Establishment Clause. This clause prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another.
In this case, the Court examined laws from Pennsylvania and Rhode Island that provided state funding for non-public, religious schools to cover certain educational expenses. The plaintiffs argued that these laws violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
The Court, in a unanimous decision, established what has come to be known as the Lemon Test to determine whether a law or government action violates the Establishment Clause. The Lemon Test comprises three prongs:
- Secular Purpose: The government's action must have a legitimate secular purpose.
- Primary Effect: The primary effect of the action must neither advance nor inhibit religion.
- Excessive Entanglement: The action must not result in an excessive government entanglement with religion.
Applying this test, the Court found that the laws in question failed to meet these criteria, particularly concerning the second and third prongs, which led to the conclusion that they violated the Establishment Clause.
The Lemon v. Kurtzman decision has had a lasting impact on the interpretation of the First Amendment. It established a framework for assessing the constitutionality of government actions related to religion, reinforcing the principle of separation of church and state. The Lemon Test has been referenced in numerous subsequent cases, shaping the legal landscape around religious freedom and government involvement in religious activities.