Question

Under what conditions is an action benefitting religion allowed?

1) If it has a secular purpose
2) If it neither advances nor prohibits religion
3) If it avoids excessive entanglement
4) All of the above

Answer 1

Actions benefitting religion are allowed under specific conditions known as the Lemon Test.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the area of separation of church and state, the conditions under which an action benefitting religion is allowed are:

1. If it has a secular purpose, meaning there must be some non-religious justification for the law.
2. If it neither advances nor prohibits religion, ensuring neutrality in its effects on religion.
3. If it avoids excessive entanglement with religion, avoiding the need for extensive government involvement.

These conditions are known as the Lemon Test, derived from a Supreme Court decision in Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), and are used to determine if a law is constitutional under the Establishment Clause.