Literature Study GuidesEngel V Vitale

Engel v. Vitale | Study Guide

United States Supreme Court

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Study Guide

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Course Hero. "Engel v. Vitale Study Guide." Course Hero. 16 Oct. 2018. Web. 29 May 2023. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Engel-v-Vitale/>.

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APA

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Course Hero. (2018, October 16). Engel v. Vitale Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Engel-v-Vitale/

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(Course Hero, 2018)

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Course Hero. "Engel v. Vitale Study Guide." October 16, 2018. Accessed May 29, 2023. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Engel-v-Vitale/.

Footnote

Course Hero, "Engel v. Vitale Study Guide," October 16, 2018, accessed May 29, 2023, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Engel-v-Vitale/.

Overview

Author

United States Supreme Court

Year Decided

1962

Type

Primary Source

Genre

Law, U.S. Supreme Court Case

At a Glance

In the groundbreaking case Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court established that it is unconstitutional to require public schools to use religious rituals composed or financed by the government.
During the 1950s New York State public schools allowed teachers and students to recite a brief prayer, including a reference to God, each morning. Even though students could remain silent or leave during recitation, several parents sued the school district in 1958 to end prayer in public schools.
When the case reached the Supreme Court in 1962, the majority ruled in favor of the parents, reversing lower court decisions. The justices decided the prayer violated the establishment clause in the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
Relevant, too, was the 14th Amendment, which prohibits states from violating citizens' rights—meaning state law cannot violate federally protected rights, including those granted by the Bill of Rights.
The verdict created controversy. Many Americans believed prayer was appropriate in schools and didn't want the court to dictate how religion should be practiced. Others agreed with the decision—and still do.
The case is a turning point in the ongoing debate about religion's place in American government and society.

Summary

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