Opinion ID: 762043
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Coercion Test

Text: 35 The second test, which the Court announced in Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577, 112 S.Ct. 2649, 120 L.Ed.2d 467 (1992) (invalidating school district's policy permitting school principals to invite clergy to give invocations and benedictions in form of nonsectarian prayer at graduation ceremonies), is commonly referred to as the Coercion Test. Under this test, school-sponsored religious activity is analysed to determine the extent, if any, to which it has a coercive effect on students. [U]nconstitutional coercion [occurs] when: (1) the government directs (2) a formal religious exercise (3) in such a way as to oblige the participation of objectors. Clear Creek II, 977 F.2d at 970 (citation omitted).c. The Endorsement Test 36 The third test, known as the Endorsement Test, seeks to determine whether the government endorses religion by means of the challenged action. County of Allegheny v. ACLU, 492 U.S. 573, 109 S.Ct. 3086, 106 L.Ed.2d 472 (1989). The government unconstitutionally endorses religion when it conveys a message that religion is 'favored,' 'preferred,' or 'promoted' over other beliefs. Id. at 593, 109 S.Ct. 3086.