Engel v. Vitale

1962-06-25

Headline: Court blocks state-written daily school prayer as unconstitutional, stopping public schools from sponsoring official prayers and protecting students who object.

Holding: The Court held that New York’s use of a government-composed prayer in public school openings violates the First Amendment’s ban on government establishment of religion, even if participation is voluntary.

Real World Impact:

Bars public schools from leading government-composed prayers at the start of the day.
Requires officials to avoid composing or sponsoring official religious exercises.
Protects students and families who object to school-sponsored prayer.

Topics: school prayer, religion and government, religious freedom, student rights, public schools

Summary

Background

Parents of ten public school children challenged a New York school board and state education officials after the district began each school day by having classes say a short prayer written and recommended by the State Board of Regents. The prayer asked for God’s blessings on students, parents, teachers, and the country. State courts had allowed the practice so long as no student was forced to join. The parents argued this official prayer violated the First Amendment’s prohibition on government establishment of religion.

Reasoning

The Court asked whether it is proper for government to compose and sponsor a prayer in public schools. The majority held that it is not. Justice Black wrote that a government-written prayer used in the public school system is a religious activity and that government may not compose or promote official prayers for people to recite. The Court said that the practice violated the Establishment Clause even if the prayer was denominationally neutral or participation was voluntary. The Court reversed the New York Court of Appeals and sent the case back for further proceedings consistent with this ruling.

Real world impact

Public schools may not open each school day by leading students in a government-written prayer. School boards and state education officials must avoid composing or sponsoring official prayers, and they must respect families who object. The ruling was a decision on the merits, reversing the lower court’s approval and remanding the case for further action.

Dissents or concurrances

Justice Douglas agreed and emphasized that any government financing of religious exercises is problematic. Justice Stewart dissented, arguing the brief, voluntary prayer reflected national traditions and did not coerce students.