Engel v Vitale

Context (Engel v Vitale)

In 1962, the New York Board of Regents had a non-denominational prayer to be recited by school children and teachers alike in the morning, after the Pledge of Allegiance.

The prayer” “Allmighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon thee, and we beg thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our community”

Although students could opt out of the prayer, a parent-group led by Steven Engel challenged this in court.

Constitutional Principle (Engel v Vitale)

1st Amendments Establishment Clause

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion:

14th Amendment applied this to states, too

Engel’s argument (Engel v Vitale)

The recited prayer violated the Establishment clause"

Vitale’s Argument (Engel v Vitale)

School Board (New York Regents) represented by William Vitale, argued that the daily, state-written prayer was constitutional because it was completely voluntary and nondenominational. They maintained it did not establish an official state religion and simply acknowledged the nation's dependence on God without favoring any specific faith.

Decision (Engel v Vitale)

[6-1] ruled in favor that the prayer was infact a violation of the Establishment clause.Justice Hugo Black guaranteed that goverment wouldn’t influence US prayer/religion. Dissenting Justice Potter Stuart argued that it was constitutional because it offered children “the opportunity of sharing the spiritual heritage of our nation”

Matters (Engel v Vitale)

• Thomas Jefferson’s Separate of Church and State won the case

• The court ruled in favor of individual liberties versus social order

• Established a foundation for later similar cases

  • Wallace v Jaffree 1985 - Alabama “minute of silence” in school was struck down

  • Ruled a clergy led prayer at middle school graduation ceremony as unconstitutional