SURPREME COURT CASE

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SURPREME COURT CASE Engel v.
Vitale Katrina DeMoss and Erin
Watts AP Government
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(No Transcript)
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CASE BACKGROUND
In 1951, the Board of Regents for the State of
New York authorized a voluntary,
nondenominational prayer at the start of each
public school day. The students were not required
to participate in the daily prayers. Though the
prayers were considered nondenominational
,("Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence
upon Thee, and beg Thy blessings upon us, our
teachers, and our country."), a group of
irritated families of public school children
considered the prayers contradictions to their
personal religious beliefs. The case was put on
the supreme court docket, and the trial began on
April 3rd 1962.
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LEGAL QUESTION
Does reading a voluntary, nondenominational
prayer in public schools violate the first
amendment. (establishment of religion)?
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof.
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THE DECISION
Yes. Just because the prayers were considered non
denominational, and were recited on a voluntary
basis, does not mean that it is appropriate under
the U.S constitution. It was ruled that, by
allowing the prayer, New York was officially
accepting religion, which contradicts the
establishment of religion clause in the first
amendment. This was decided in a 6 to one vote,
in which one justice refused to participate in
for personal reasons.

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Quote From Justice Hugo Black
Justice Hugo Black wrote We think that by using
its public school system to encourage recitation
of the Regents prayer, the State of New York has
adopted a practice wholly inconsistent with the
Establishment ClauseIt is no part of the
business of government to compose official
prayers for any group of the American people to
recite as a part of a religious program carried
on by government.
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THE PRECEDENT
Engel v. Vitale set a strong precedent for
similar court cases. It basically set the record
straight that Church and state are meant to be
kept separate under our constitution. The
verdict of Engel v. Vitale helped to influence
many other cases.
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PUBLIC SUPPORT
Although fewer in number, supporters of prayer
were also well organized, and amicus briefs were
submitted by twenty state attorneys general, and
others. By and large the supporters felt that the
spirit of the Establishment Clause was not
violated in this case, and that the Free Exercise
Clause supported the presence of non-coercive
religious activities even in public schools.
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Judgment and Justification
Although a time set aside for voluntary prayer in
public schools seems harmless enough, it does
violate the first amendment of the constitution.
I agree completely with the rulings of the
supreme court. While it may be an unpopular
ruling, when speaking legally, it makes perfect
sense.
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QUESTIONS?
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SOURCES
"Engel v. Vitale The Issue Prayer in the Public
Schools." Engel v. Vitale n. pag. Web. 17 Feb
2011. lthttp//www.pbs.org/jefferson/enlight/prayer
.htmgt
The Oyez Project, Engel v. Vitale , 370 U.S.
421 (1962) available at (http//oyez.org/cases/19
60-1969/1961/1961_468) (last visited Thursday,
February 17, 2011).
"Engel v. Vitale (1962)." Engel v. Vitale (1962)
n. pag. Web. 17 Feb 2011. lthttp//billofrightsinst
itute.org/page.aspx?pid682gt
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The case was pre-1962, which relates to the photo
above with the children praying.