jun 22, 1962 - Engle V. Vitale

Description:

This case involves the use of mandatory prayer in school.

A New York State law required public schools to open each day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a nondenominational prayer in which the students recognized their dependence upon God. The law allowed students to absent themselves from this activity if they found it objectionable. A parent sued on behalf of his child, arguing that the law violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, as made applicable to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. (Facts and Case Summary- Engle V. Vitale)

On June 25, 1962, the courts ruled that nondenominational prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The reasoning behind this was because the purpose of the First Amendment was to prevent the government interference with religion. (Facts and Case Summary- Engle V. Vitale)

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