McCollum v. Board of Education (1948)

The ruling: The Supreme Court ruled 6-1 against religious education in tax-supported school classrooms, citing a violation of the separation of church and state.

Majority opinion: "The Court must support the impenetrable wall between church and state. By using tax-established and tax-supported public schools to teach religion to students, the government aids these groups in the spreading of their faiths. Refusing to aid any or all religious faiths or sects in the dissemination of their doctrines and ideas does not...manifest a governmental hostility to religion or religious teaching. It is not relevant that students are not forced to participate in the classes or that parental permission is required. The important point is that the religions receive a benefit by being offered the venue through which to spread their message."