Engel v Vitale

Question 1

Facts of case

Answer 1

The New York State Board of Regents authorized a short, voluntary prayer for recitation at the start of each school day. A group of organizations joined forces in challenging the prayer, claiming that it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Question 2

Holdings and rationale

Answer 2

The state isn’t allowed to hold prayers in public schools, even if participation isn’t required and the prayer isn’t tied to a particular religion. The Court ruled that the constitutional prohibition of laws establishing religion meant that the government had no business drafting formal prayers. The Court held that respondent’s provision of the contested daily prayer was inconsistent with the Establishment Clause. Justice Douglas concurred in the judgment on the ground that the state’s financing a religious exercise violated the First Amendment.

Question 3

Keywords

Answer 3

School sponsorship of religious activities violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.