Everson:
The "establishment of religion" clause of the First Amendment
means at least this: Neither a state nor the Federal Government
can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one
religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over
another. Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or to
remain away from church against his will or force him to profess
a belief or disbelief in any religion. No person can be punished
for entertaining or professing religious beliefs or disbeliefs,
for church attendance or non-attendance. No tax in any amount,
large or small, can be levied to support any religious
activities or institutions, whatever they may be called, or
whatever form they may adopt to teach or practice religion.
Neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or
secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious
organizations or groups and vice versa. In the words of
Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law
was intended to erect "a wall of separation between church and
State." Reynolds v. United States, supra at 164.
We must consider the New Jersey statute in accordance with the
foregoing limitations imposed by the First Amendment. But we
must not strike that state statute down if it is within the
State's constitutional power even though it approaches the verge
of that power.