Engel v. Vitale 1961
DETAILS OF THE CASE:
A small short and voluntary prayer was approved by the Board of Regents in the State of New York for recitation at the start of the school day. It was approved in hopes of defusing the issue by removing it from the local communities’ hands. The prayer read “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and beg Thy blessings upon us, our teachers, and our country."
CONSTITUTIONAL 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?
DECISION AND LASTING EFFECT:
6 votes for Engel, 1 vote against. Establishment of Religion.It does not matter if it is nondenominational or voluntary, it is still unconstitutional. By New York providing the prayer, religion was officially approved. This was the first time in many cases in which the Court made use of the Establishment Clause to ban any religious activity of any sort, which had been typically part of any public celebration or ceremony. This included non-denominational prayer as well.
A small short and voluntary prayer was approved by the Board of Regents in the State of New York for recitation at the start of the school day. It was approved in hopes of defusing the issue by removing it from the local communities’ hands. The prayer read “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and beg Thy blessings upon us, our teachers, and our country."
CONSTITUTIONAL 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?
DECISION AND LASTING EFFECT:
6 votes for Engel, 1 vote against. Establishment of Religion.It does not matter if it is nondenominational or voluntary, it is still unconstitutional. By New York providing the prayer, religion was officially approved. This was the first time in many cases in which the Court made use of the Establishment Clause to ban any religious activity of any sort, which had been typically part of any public celebration or ceremony. This included non-denominational prayer as well.