Endorsement Test

Endorsement Test

Definition

From Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668 (1984), a test to determine the constitutionality of a law under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment that requires courts to assess whether the government’s actions serve to endorse religion by determining if the religious nature of the government’s actions would be understood by an objective, reasonable observer. Courts typically apply the endorsement test as a component of the Lemon test, specifically to determine whether the primary effect of the government’s action is to advance or inhibit religion and whether the government’s action results in excessive government entanglement with religion.

Get full access FREE

With a 7-day free trial membership
Here's why 798,000 law students have relied on our key terms:
  • A complete online legal dictionary of law terms and legal definitions
  • Over 7,900 key terms written in plain English to help you not only understand the law but master it
  • The premier online law dictionary built specifically for law students
  • Easy access in class or on the go, accessible both online and through the Quimbee mobile app
  • Reliable - written by legal professors and practitioners
  • Get instant access to all related rules of law to any specific key term with a Quimbee Study Aid plan

Get full access FREE

With a 7-day free trial membership