How has the Supreme Court interpreted the establishment of religion clauses?

The establishment of religion clauses of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution are generally interpreted to mean that the government cannot interfere in matters of religion. The Supreme Court of the United States has interpreted the establishment of religion clauses in multiple rulings. In the 1947 case of Everson v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court declared that while the establishment of religion clause prohibits the government from promoting or establishing a religion, it also protects the rights of individuals and groups to practice their religious beliefs in a public space such as a school. In the 1982 case of Lynch v. Donnelly, the Supreme Court ruled that the government could show neutrality towards religion by sponsoring holiday displays that include religious symbols. In this case, the Supreme Court held that the presence of a religious symbol in a public holiday display does not establish a particular religion, and thus does not violate the establishment of religion clause of the First Amendment. Finally, in the 1992 case of Lee v. Weisman, the Supreme Court held that government sponsored prayer in public school ceremonials violates the establishment of religion clause. The court found that students attending public school ceremonies should not be subject to religious pressures from the government. In conclusion, the Supreme Court of the United States has interpreted the establishment of religion clause in the U.S. Constitution to mean that the government cannot interfere in matters of religion or establish a particular religion. The Supreme Court has also made rulings regarding displays of religious symbols in public holiday displays and prayer in public school ceremonials.

How has the Supreme Court interpreted the establishment of religion clauses?

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