Case Name: Lemon v. Kurtzman
Year: Argued 1972 ; Decided 1973
Result: 8-0 in favor of Lemon
Related Constitutional Issue/ Amendment: 1st Amendment dealing with the establishment of religion
Civil Rights or Civil Liberties: Civil Liberties
Significance/ Precedent: This case led to the creation of the Lemon Test. This test is a classification system that is used to see whether or not state laws regarding funding or creating religious institutions with public money violate the United States constitution. The Lemon test ensures that the general population’s interests take priority within public institutions and settings. The Lemon test also prohibits the Federal Government from becoming overly religious or involved with a particular religious institution.
Quote from Majority Opinion: "To be constitutional, a statute must have "a secular legislative purpose," it must have principal effects which neither advance nor inhibit religion, and it must not foster "an excessive government entanglement with religion."
6-Word Summary: Church involvement in schools not permitted
Year: Argued 1972 ; Decided 1973
Result: 8-0 in favor of Lemon
Related Constitutional Issue/ Amendment: 1st Amendment dealing with the establishment of religion
Civil Rights or Civil Liberties: Civil Liberties
Significance/ Precedent: This case led to the creation of the Lemon Test. This test is a classification system that is used to see whether or not state laws regarding funding or creating religious institutions with public money violate the United States constitution. The Lemon test ensures that the general population’s interests take priority within public institutions and settings. The Lemon test also prohibits the Federal Government from becoming overly religious or involved with a particular religious institution.
Quote from Majority Opinion: "To be constitutional, a statute must have "a secular legislative purpose," it must have principal effects which neither advance nor inhibit religion, and it must not foster "an excessive government entanglement with religion."
6-Word Summary: Church involvement in schools not permitted