The Board Of Regents: Engel Vs Vitale

Engel v. Vitale The Board of Regents for the state of New York authorized the students to say a volutary prayer and the pledge of allegience at the beginning of each day. The parents of the pupils disagreed to this because it is violating Ammendment 1. The parents sued the schools because it violated the freedom of religion granted to them. The case was decided in Warren court in 1962, the petitoner was Steven I. Engel, et al. and the respondent was Steven I. Engel, et al. . Although the prayer was voluntary it potrayed the dependence in God; it read "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and beg Thy blessings upon us, our teachers, and our country." Although this was voluntary it still inclined the parents to take action towards the

This was said becuase the 1st amendment keeps the government from determining when and how people should worship. The authorization of the law introducing a prayer was opposing what the amendment stands for therefore it was unconstitutional. Many early americans have been troubled in the past by religious enforcements and persecution. The Court declared that the Establishment Clause denies the government in having a say in religious exercises. Justice Hugo Black wrote the majority opinnion stating that the freedom of religion means that is not the government 's buisness tocompose official prayers for any group of American citizens. Justice Potter Stewart worte a dissenting opinion stating that there is nothing wrong if the government sets out a voluntary prayer and by oposing the prayer they are taking away the wish of the children who want to participate in it. he saud "I cannot see how an 'official religion ' is established by letting those who want to say a prayer say it." The final decision was that it was unconstitutional of the Board of Regeants to enforce this