Everson V Board Of Education Case Summary

1. Name of Case
Everson v. Board of Education of Ewing Township 330 U.S. I, 67 S.CT. 504 (1947)

2. Facts of Case
Arch Everson when to court to challenge the constitutionality of a check given to children who paid to bus their children to private schools. Ewing Township’s Board of Education established the plan using a New Jersey statute that allowed for that allowed school districts to create their own guidelines for transportation. The private schools in the region were mostly catholic. A state court abolished the program. The New Jersey Court of Errors and Appeals reversed the decision, Everson then went to the Supreme Court (O’Brien 768-769). 3. Questions of the Case
Does New Jersey’s statute violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment?
4. Holding
No. The decision was 5-4 in favor of New Jersey.

5. Opinion of the Court
Justice Black delivered the opinion of the Court. Everson argued that the New Jersey law was a, “law respecting an establishment of religion”(O’Brien 769). This clause of the First Amendment demonstrate that early citizens wanted religious liberty. That goal has not been completely achieved. Today most American’s aren’t aware of the fears that lead to the establishment clause. In order to determine if this law respects the establishment of religion

Despite the incorporation, this Court has approved those earlier rulings. The establishment of religion clause prevents that state or federal government from forcing one religion to worship. The clause means neither government can create laws which support one religion, all religions, or favor one religion over another. No person can be reprimanded for supporting one religion or church attendance. No tax can be imposed to aid any religious institution or organization. The must be. “a wall of separation between church and state” (O’Brien