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Lemon v. Kurtzman  

Definition

  • Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), or “Lemon I,” is best known for its three-part test, which the Supreme Court created to be used in evaluating whether government action violates the Establishment Clause; this provision prohibits the government from making laws “respecting an establishment of religion.” The three parts of the “Lemon test” are that (1) a statute or program must have a secular legislative purpose, (2) its principal or primary effect must be one that neither advances nor inhibits religion, and (3) it must not foster an excessive government entanglement with religion (Lemon, pp. 612–613). [Source: Encyclopedia of Education Law; Lemon v. Kurtzman]

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Date

  • 1971
  • 1973

URI

https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/Lemon_v._Kurtzman

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