Engel v. Vitale

370 U.S. 421 (1962)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

The Board of Education, Vitale (D), acting in its official capacity under New York state law, directed the School District's principal to cause the following prayer to be said aloud by each class in the presence of a teacher at the beginning of each school day: 'Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.' The parents of ten pupils, Engel et al., (P) brought this action in a New York State Court insisting that use of this official prayer in the public schools was contrary to the beliefs, religions, or religious practices of both themselves and their children. Ps contend this violates that part of the First Amendment of the Federal Constitution which commands that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion' - a command which was 'made applicable to the State of New York by the Fourteenth Amendment of the said Constitution.' The New York Court of Appeals, sustained an order of the lower state courts which had upheld the power of New York to use the Regents' prayer as a part of the daily procedures of its public schools so long as the schools did not compel any pupil to join in the prayer over his or his parents' objection. The Supreme Court granted certiorari.