Lemon v. Kurtzman
Vikram Nat
Background
 The state of Pennsylvania gave financial
support for salaries of teachers teaching
secular (not religious) subjects and
instructional materials such as text books
to non-public schools. Aid was also given
to “church related educational institutions”
Issue
 First Amendment
 Establishment Clause
Was the first amendment establishment clause
violated by giving state financial aid to
"church-related educational institutions”?
Decsion
 Vote 8-0 in favor of Lemon.
 Court found that direct aid to teachers and
religious schools was unconstitutional.
 Could not give aid to teachers because
they were under church command and
therefore can’t be certain that religion can
be avoided without strict state supervision.
Effects
 The lemon test was created
 Evaluates laws that deal with church and
state
 Benchmark for future decisions regarding
religious liberties