Lemon test

Meaning

1. The test for whether a government action violates the Establishment Clause of the United States' constitution: it does so if it lacks a secular purpose, has its primary effect as promoting or inhibiting religion, or fosters an excessive entanglement of government with religion.

Etymology / origin

After Lemon v. Kurtzman, the United States Supreme Court case in which the test was first spelled out. Lemon is the surname of its lead plaintiff, Alton Lemon.

Sources

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