Constitutional Law—State-Funded Use of Religious Facilities for Public High School Ceremonies Violates the Establishment Clause—Doe ex rel. Doe v. Elmbrook School District, 687 F.3d 840 (7th Cir.), petition for cert. filed, 81 U.S.L.W. 3371 (U.S. Dec. 20, 2012) (No. 12-755)

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution embodies one of the country’s founding principles—separation of church and state—by prohibiting Congress from enacting laws that either respect a religious establishment or prohibit the people’s free exercise of religion.  Analysis of issues arising under violation of the Establishment Clause consists of numerous, competing tests presented by the Supreme Court.  In Doe ex rel. Doe v. Elmbrook School District, the Seventh Circuit considered two such tests and held that an unacceptable amount of religious endorsement and coercion occurred when high school graduation ceremonies were held inside a church. . .