Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Case study analysis of Engel v. Vitale (1962) in flashcard format.

What was the main issue in Engel v. Vitale (1962)?

Whether the reading of a voluntary, nondenominational prayer at the start of the school day violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

What was the Supreme Court’s ruling?

In a 6-1 decision, the Court ruled that the school-sponsored prayer was unconstitutional.

Which constitutional clause was central to the case?

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

How did the Court justify its ruling?

The Court ruled that by composing and promoting an official school prayer, the government was endorsing religion, violating the separation of church and state.

Which amendment made the Establishment Clause applicable to the states?

The Fourteenth Amendment.

Who wrote the majority opinion?

Justice Hugo Black.

What was the main argument in the majority opinion?

Government should not compose official prayers or encourage religious practices in public schools, as it violates the Establishment Clause.

What historical argument did Justice Black make?

Many early American colonists fled religious persecution in England, and the Constitution was designed to prevent government involvement in religious practices.

How did the Court view government-sponsored prayer?

It viewed it as an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.

Who wrote the concurring opinion?

Justice William Douglas

What was Justice Douglas’s argument for the concurring opinion?

Any government involvement in religious activities, including financial support for religious institutions, is unconstitutional.

Who wrote the dissenting opinion?

Justice Potter Stewart.

What was Justice Stewart’s argument for the dissenting opinion?

He believed allowing voluntary prayer did not establish an official religion and that preventing willing students from praying denied them their religious heritage.

What historical examples did Stewart cite for the dissenting opinion?

He referenced presidential speeches that included religious elements, arguing that government references to God were common in American history.

What precedent did Engel v. Vitale establish?

It reinforced the principle that public schools cannot sponsor or endorse religious practices.

How did this case affect future rulings?

It set a precedent for strict separation of church and state in public education, influencing cases on school prayer and religious activities in schools.