Document: 449 U.S. 39 101 S.Ct. 192 66 L.Ed.2d 199 Sydell STONE et al.v.James B. GRAHAM, Superintendent of Public Instruction Kentucky. No. 80-321. Nov. 17, 1980. Rehearing Denied Jan. 12, 1981. See 1104, 904. PER CURIAM. 1 A Kentucky statute requires the posting a copy Ten Commandments, purchased with private contributions, on wall each public classroom in State.1 Petitioners, claiming that this violates Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses First Amendment,2 sought an injunction against its enforcement. The state trial court upheld statute, finding "avowed purpose" was "secular not religious," would "neither advance nor inhibit any religion or religious group" involve State excessively matters. App. to Pet. for Cert. 38-39. Supreme Court Commonwealth affirmed by equally divided court. 599 S.W.2d 157 (1980). We reverse. 2 This has announced three-part test determining whether challenged is permissible under Clause United States Constitution: 3 "First, must have secular legislative purpose; second, principal primary effect be one neither advances inhibits . .; finally foster 'an excessive government entanglement religion.' " Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 602, 612-613, 91 2105, 2111, 29 745 (1971) (citations omitted). 4 If these three principles, it struck down Clause. conclude Kentucky's requiring Commandments schoolrooms had no purpose, therefore unconstitutional. 5 insists question serves observing legislature required following notation small print at bottom display Commandments: "The application clearly seen adoption as fundamental legal code Western Civilization Common Law States." 1978 Ky. Acts, ch. 436, § (effective June 1978), Ky.Rev.Stat. 158.178 6 found "avowed" purpose secular, even labeled statutory declaration "self-serving." 37. Under Court's rulings, however, such sufficient avoid conflict Amendment. In Abington School District Schempp, 374 203, 83 1560, 10 844 (1963), held unconstitutional daily reading Bible verses Lord's Prayer schools, despite school district's assertion purposes "the promotion moral values, contradiction materialistic trends our times, perpetuation institutions teaching literature." Id., 223, S.Ct., 1572. 7 pre-eminent schoolroom walls plainly nature. are undeniably sacred text Jewish Christian faiths,3 recitation supposed can blind us fact. do confine themselves arguably matters, honoring one's parents, killing murder, adultery, stealing, false witness, covetousness. Exodus 20: 12-17; Deuteronomy 5: 16-21. Rather, first part concerns duties believers: worshipping Lord God alone, avoiding idolatry, using name vain, Sabbath Day. 1-11; 6-15. 8 case which integrated into curriculum, where may constitutionally used appropriate study history, civilization, ethics, comparative religion, like. supra, 225, 1573. Posting texts educational function. posted copies all, will induce schoolchildren read, meditate upon, perhaps venerate obey, Commandments. However desirable might matter devotion, objective 9 It does financed voluntary mere auspices provides "official support Government" prohibits. U.S., 222, 1571; see Engel Vitale, 370 421, 431, 82 1261, 1267, 601 (1962).4 Nor significant involved merely wall, rather than read aloud Schempp Engel, "it defense urge practices here relatively minor encroachments Amendment." that§ (1980) test, thus Constitution.5 petition writ certiorari granted, judgment below reversed. 11 so ordered. 12 THE CHIEF JUSTICE Justice BLACKMUN dissent. They grant give plenary consideration. 13 STEWART dissents from summary reversal courts Kentucky, which, far appears, applied wholly correct constitutional criteria reaching their decisions. 14 REHNQUIST, dissenting. 15 With beyond own ipse dixit, concludes "has purpose," ante, 41 (emphasis supplied), "[t]he nature," ibid. though, found, General Assembly thought specifically said so." rejection articulated confirmed without precedent jurisprudence. regularly looks articulations statute's cases accords pronouncements deference they due. See, e. g., Committee Education Nyquist, 413 756, 773, 93 2955, 2965, 37 948 (1973) ("we need touch only briefly requirement 'secular purpose.' As appended New York's law indicates, measure adequately supported legitimate, nonsectarian interests"); 613, ("the statutes intended enhance quality education"); Sloan Lemon, 825, 829-830, 2982, 2985, 939 (1973); Board Allen, 392 236, 243, 88 1923, 1926, 20 1060 (1968). also Florey Sioux Falls District, 619 F.2d 1311, 1314 (CA8) (upholding rules permitting Christmas observances elements promoting "advanc[ing] student's knowledge appreciation role heritage played social, cultural historical development civilization"), cert. denied. 987, 409, 251. fact asserted overlap what some render stated McGowan Maryland, 366 420, 445, 81 1101, 1115, 393 (1961), upholding validity Sunday closing laws, present most [these laws] provide uniform day rest all citizens; Sunday, particular significance dominant sects, bar achieving goals." 16 repeatedly cited Court, contrary. No findings enactments case. two considered determined exercises were exercises. contrary presented here. other specific been made, character exercise admitted State," id., 224,1 17 rejects because Decalogue "undeniably text," 41. undeniable, elected representatives determined, impact codes World. concluded evidence submitted substantiated determination. 38. Anderson Salt Lake City Corp., 475 29, 33 (CA10 1973) construction land monument inscribed "substantial attributes"). Certainly permitted document should placed before students, statement document's import. 34 ("It seem reasonable require removal passive monument, involving compulsion, accepted precepts, foundation law, reflect nature ancient era").2 Opinion Justices, 108 N.H. 97, 228 A.2d 161 (1967) placement plaques motto "In Trust" schools). 18 sector insulated things origin. recognized "religion closely identified history government," 212, 1565 man inseparable religion," 434, 1268, (1962). decided make students aware demonstrating words Jackson, concurring McCollum Education, 333 235-236, 68 461, 477, 92 L.Ed. 649 (1948), merit quotation length: 19 "I think remains demonstrated possible, if desirable, comply demands plaintiff's completely isolate cast out education people reasonably regard instruction. Perhaps subjects mathematics, physics chemistry are, be, secularized. But practical teach either practice arts we forbid exposure youth influences. Music music, architecture minus cathedral, painting scriptural themes eccentric incomplete, point view. I suppose proper, indispensable, preparation worldly life know roles religions tragic story mankind. that, good ill, nearly everything culture worth transmitting, gives meaning life, saturated influences, derived paganism, Judaism, Christianity-both Catholic Protestant-and faiths large world's peoples. One hardly respect system leave student ignorant currents move world society he being prepared." dissent cannot refrain describing cavalier reversal, benefit oral argument briefs merits, highest entirety: "(1) shall duty superintendent instruction, provided funds available subsection (3) Section, ensure durable, permanent displayed elementary secondary Commonwealth. sixteen (16) inches wide twenty (20) high. "(2) last commandment appear concerning display, follows: 'The States.' "(3) Act made through contributions treasurer Act." Amendment relevant part: "Congress respecting establishment prohibiting free thereof .." prohibition applicable Fourteenth 215-216, 1567-1568, (1963). commented 224, 1572: "Surely place instrument gainsaid. ." Moreover, while actual nevertheless expended money administering statute. For example, serve collecting agent contributions. 158.178(3) dissenting opinion contrary, (1971); (1968), easily distinguishable: assistance schools. Such obvious legitimate opportunity. purpose. noted State's strictly religious, accomplished readings, comment, Bible." Here course there compelled reading, comment accompanying mandated focusing significance. emphasis beside point. whole impact, Constitution expurgated redacted version containing directly traceable effects.

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