Engel v. Vitale

Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962), is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court.

The New York State Board of Regents composed a non-denominational prayer that was recited aloud in public school classrooms each day. Students could remain silent or leave the room. Parents of ten students challenged the prayer as violating the Establishment Clause.

Significance

Justice Black’s 6-1 opinion held that officially composed school prayers violate the Establishment Clause even if they are non-denominational and voluntary. The government cannot compose official prayers for recitation as part of a religious program carried on by the government. The decision sparked widespread criticism and calls for a constitutional amendment to permit school prayer, but it firmly established that government-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional.

Category

US Federal Case Law