The Situation
Who authorized daily school prayer in New York?
Vitale / New York State
What Amendment was central to Engel v. Vitale?
The First Amendment
How did the Supreme Court rule in Engel v. Vitale?
6-1 Engel's favor
What does the Establishment Clause prohibit?
The government from establishing or favoring a religion.
What principle did Engel v. Vitale reinforce?
Separation of church and state.
Who sued New York State over the prayer?
A group of parents led by Engel
What clause was Engel’s argument based on?
The Establishment Clause
What was the Court’s reasoning for banning the prayer?
It violated the Establishment Clause by favoring religion.
What does the Free Exercise Clause protect?
Individuals’ rights to practice their religion freely.
Did this case allow for optional government-led prayers after the ruling?
No
What was Vitale's defense for allowing the prayer?
It was voluntary and protected by the Free Exercise Clause
What was the main constitutional question in the case?
Do voluntary prayers in public schools violate the Establishment Clause?
What financial argument did the Court make against school-sponsored prayer?
The government cannot spend money on religious activities.
Which clause was used to strike down the prayer?
The Establishment Clause.
After Engel v. Vitale, could public schools sponsor any religious activities?
No
How did the lower courts rule initially?
They upheld the prayer, saying it did not establish a specific religion
How did the Free Exercise Clause relate to Vitale's defense?
Vitale argued the prayer protected students' right to exercise religion
Who was the lone dissenting justice?
Justice Potter Stewart
How are the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause related?
Both are parts of the First Amendment's religious protections.
How did this case limit government power over religion?
It restricted government from sponsoring religious practices.
Was the prayer mandatory for students?
No, it was voluntary
True or False: The case only dealt with private religious practices.
False, it was about government involvement
What was Justice Stewart’s main point in dissent?
A voluntary prayer does not establish a religion.
Fill in the blank: "Congress shall make no law respecting ________."
An establishment of religion
Why was Engel v. Vitale so important for future religious cases?
It formally restricted government-sponsored religious activities even if they were voluntary.