Engel V. Vitale
Case name: Steven I. Engel, et al. v. William J. Vitale, Jr., et al.
Year decided: 1962
Result: 6-1, in favor of Engel
Related constitutional issue/amendment: First Amendment (Establishment Clause)
Civil rights or civil liberties: civil liberties
Significance/precedent: Despite the fact that the prayer is nondenominational and voluntary, it violates the First Amendment and is therefore unconstitutional. By allowing time for prayer, New York is officially approving religion, a violation of the Establishment Clause. Engle v. Vitale would later serve as the precedent for future cases in which the Court uses the Establishment Clause to eliminate religious activities of various natures.
Quote from majority opinion: "It was in large part to get completely away from this sort of systematic religious persecution that the Founders brought into being our Nation, our Constitution, and our Bill of Rights, with its prohibition against any governmental establishment of religion. The New York laws officially prescribing the Regents' prayer are inconsistent both with the purposes of the Establishment Clause and with the Establishment Clause itself."
Summary of the dissent: New York has not denied anyone the right to free exercise of their religion and allowing a nondenominational, voluntary prayer in which students are free of any "embarrassments and pressures" does not establish an "official religion." By denying the wish of school children to recite prayer is to deny them the opportunity of participating in the "spiritual heritage of our Nation."
Six-word summary: Framers, Court say no religion establishment.
Year decided: 1962
Result: 6-1, in favor of Engel
Related constitutional issue/amendment: First Amendment (Establishment Clause)
Civil rights or civil liberties: civil liberties
Significance/precedent: Despite the fact that the prayer is nondenominational and voluntary, it violates the First Amendment and is therefore unconstitutional. By allowing time for prayer, New York is officially approving religion, a violation of the Establishment Clause. Engle v. Vitale would later serve as the precedent for future cases in which the Court uses the Establishment Clause to eliminate religious activities of various natures.
Quote from majority opinion: "It was in large part to get completely away from this sort of systematic religious persecution that the Founders brought into being our Nation, our Constitution, and our Bill of Rights, with its prohibition against any governmental establishment of religion. The New York laws officially prescribing the Regents' prayer are inconsistent both with the purposes of the Establishment Clause and with the Establishment Clause itself."
Summary of the dissent: New York has not denied anyone the right to free exercise of their religion and allowing a nondenominational, voluntary prayer in which students are free of any "embarrassments and pressures" does not establish an "official religion." By denying the wish of school children to recite prayer is to deny them the opportunity of participating in the "spiritual heritage of our Nation."
Six-word summary: Framers, Court say no religion establishment.