Study Guide For United States Supreme Court Engel Vitale Course Hero Study

The Supreme Court case of Engel v. Vitale (1962) was a landmark ruling that declared school-sponsored prayer to be unconstitutional. The case was brought by a group of parents who objected to a daily prayer that was being recited in their children's public school. The Supreme Court ruled that the prayer violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

Background

In 1951, the New York State Board of Regents adopted a resolution recommending that a daily prayer be recited in public schools. 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."

Study Guide for United States Supreme Court's Engel v. Vitale (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Course Hero

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	932 KB
Lending	:	Enabled
Print length	:	40 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The resolution was controversial from the start. Some people argued that it was a violation of the First Amendment, while others argued that it was a harmless way to promote morality in schools. In 1958, a group of parents in New Hyde Park, New York, filed a lawsuit challenging the prayer. The parents argued that the prayer violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

The Supreme Court Ruling

The Supreme Court ruled 6-1 in favor of the parents. The Court held that the prayer violated the Establishment Clause because it was a government-sponsored religious exercise. The Court also held that the prayer was not a harmless way to promote morality, but rather a way to promote a particular religious belief.

The Court's ruling was a major victory for the separation of church and state. It has been cited as precedent in numerous other cases involving the Establishment Clause.

Significance of the Case

The Engel v. Vitale case is a landmark Supreme Court ruling that has had a significant impact on the relationship between religion and public schools. The case established the principle that the government cannot sponsor religious exercises in public schools. This principle has been upheld in numerous other cases, and it is now considered to be settled law.

The Engel v. Vitale case has also been cited as precedent in cases involving the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. The Free Exercise Clause protects the right of individuals to practice their religion freely. However, the government can restrict religious practices that are harmful to others or that interfere with the government's legitimate interests.

The Engel v. Vitale case is a complex and important case that has had a significant impact on American law. The case is a reminder of the importance of the separation of church and state, and it has helped to ensure that the government does not favor one religion over another.

Discussion Questions

1. What was the significance of the Engel v. Vitale case? 2. How did the Supreme Court rule in the case? 3. What is the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment? 4. How has the Engel v. Vitale case been cited as precedent in other cases? 5. What are the implications of the Engel v. Vitale case for the relationship between religion and public schools?

Additional Resources

* [Engel v. Vitale](https://www.oyez.org/cases/1961/22) on Oyez * [Engel v. Vitale](https://www.aclu.org/other/engel-v-vitale-1962) on the ACLU website * [The Engel v. Vitale Case: A Landmark Supreme Court Ruling on School Prayer](https://www.history.com/topics/us-history/engel-v-vitale) on the History Channel website

Study Guide for United States Supreme Court's Engel v. Vitale (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Course Hero

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	932 KB
Lending	:	Enabled
Print length	:	40 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE