There is a distinct separation in the Constitution between government and religion, and in the case of Everson v the Board of Education, there are many examples as to why this type of separation is important. When individuals pay taxes, it is up to the government to confirm that the monies applied to debts are in a Constitutional manner. Everson v the Board of Education discusses the issues of taxes and their usages in school systems, separation of church and state (First Amendment), and the issues of due process (Fourteenth Amendment). The case is also an excellent example of different courts interpretations of legislative documents. However, to understand the battle of keeping religion out of governmental policy, and the impacts this case made in the battle, a thorough understanding of all aspects is required.
             Everson v the Board of Education of the Township of Ewing (also known as the "New Jersey Schools Bus case") was the first case in history concerning religion and public schooling (Thinkquest, n.d.). The plaintiff of the case, Arch Everson, claimed his tax dollars paid to the state were aiding in the support of religion. Everson stated that the refunding of money to parents, whose children were publicly bussed to attend religious schools, was unconstitutional. Everson's case could have stemmed from Jefferson and Madison's earlier attempts to put a stop to taxation for the funding of religious establishments.
             Thomas Jefferson and James Madison also fought against using tax money to support an established religion in Virginia. In Madison's Memorial and Remonstrance, it states that, "a true religion needed no support of law, and that no person -- believer or nonbeliever -- should be taxed to support a religious institution of any kind" (CSAmerican, 1999 – 2004). Using the Memorial and Remonstrance as a reference, the ruling of the case is considerably unconstitutional. Also referri...