U.S. Gov.
Question- Does the reading of a nondenominational prayer at the start of the school day violate the "establishment of religion" clause of the First Amendment?
Conclusion- Yes. Neither the prayer's nondenominational character nor its voluntary character saves it from unconstitutionality. On June 25, 1962, U.S. Supreme Court ruled that voluntary prayer in public schools violated the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment (prohibition of a state establishment of religion).
The Prayer read: "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our country"
In 1958 a group of parents that included Steven Engel in Hyde Park, New York, objected to the prayer and sued the school board president, William Vitale.
Engel v. Vitale Engel v. Vitale is the 1962 Supreme Court case which declared school-sponsored prayer in public schools unconstitutional.
A New York State law required public schools to open each day with not only the Pledge of Allegiance, but a nondenominational prayer in which the students recognized their dependence upon God.
- Where is the line between religion and public schools? - Where do school-sponsored prayers fit in, and is the practice of praying at school constitutional if the prayer is nondenominational? - What if students are allowed to remain silent or leave the room during the prayer? Would this make the prayer okay? - Is school-sponsored prayer in public schools unconstitutional?
Discussion Questions
Engel Argued that school-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This clause states that, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Stated that the provision allowing students to absent themselves from this activity did not make the law constitutional because the purpose of the First Amendment was to prevent government interference with religion.
Vitale Argued that it was in deed constitutional because it was voluntary and promoted the free exercise of religion (also protected in the First Amendment)
