A Supreme Court standard, originating from Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), assesses the constitutionality of laws concerning religion. It stipulates that a law must have a secular legislative purpose; its principal or primary effect must neither advance nor inhibit religion; and it must not foster excessive government entanglement with religion. Failure to meet any of these three prongs renders the law unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. As an example, a state law providing direct financial support to parochial schools for teacher salaries would likely fail this standard due to the entanglement and potential for advancing religious instruction.
This standard is vital for maintaining the separation of church and state, ensuring government neutrality in matters of faith. It prevents government actions that could unduly favor or hinder specific religions or religion in general. Its historical context lies in the ongoing debate over the Establishment Clause and the permissible extent of government interaction with religious institutions. The ruling provides a framework for courts to evaluate legislation affecting religious practices, preventing potential violations of the First Amendment and safeguarding religious freedom.
