What is the Lemon Test, and when is it applied?

The Lemon Test is a legal standard used by courts to determine if a law or government action violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This clause prohibits the government from establishing or favoring any religion. The test is named after the case Lemon v. Kurtzman, where it was first introduced by the Supreme Court.

Lemon Test Criteria:

1. The government action must have a secular purpose.
2. The primary effect of the action must neither advance nor inhibit religion.
3. The action must not result in excessive entanglement between government and religion.

The Lemon Test is typically applied in cases involving the separation of church and state, such as school prayer, funding for religious schools, or religious displays on public property. When deciding if a law or government action violates the Establishment Clause, the court will use the Lemon Test as a guideline for analysis.

Overall, the Lemon Test serves as a crucial tool in constitutional law, ensuring that the government maintains neutrality when it comes to matters of religion and prevents the establishment of any specific faith as the state's official religion.