The state may not be hostile to religion. Or prefer nonreligion over religion.

U.S. Supreme Court

EPPERSON v. ARKANSAS,

393 U.S. 97 (1968)393 U.S. 97

EPPERSON ET AL. v. ARKANSAS.

APPEAL FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS.

No. 7.

Argued October 16, 1968.

Decided November 12, 1968.

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III.The antecedents of today’s decision are many and unmistakable. They are rooted in the foundation soil of our Nation. They are fundamental to freedom.Government in our democracy, state and national, must be neutral in matters of religious theory, doctrine, [393 U.S. 97, 104] and practice. It may not be hostile to any religion or to the advocacy of no-religion; and it may not aid, foster, or promote one religion or religious theory against another or even against the militant opposite. The First Amendment mandates governmental neutrality between religion and religion, and between religion and nonreligion. 12