Engel vs. Vitale Supreme Court Case

    The Supreme Court Justices delivered a 6-1 vote stating that the enforced prayer was unconstitutional.  The prayer goes against the Establishment Clause.  It was stated that, “there can be no doubt that New York’s state prayer program officially establishes the religious beliefs embodied in the Regents’ prayer.” (Findlaw.com).  Justices Frankfurter and White did not take part in the voting for personal reasons.  The court’s decision sent shockwaves throughout the country.

   The public response to the case was one of mass controversy.  The New York Board of Education believed that the case should not be such a big deal.  Most of the public was angry with the families who rose against the prayer.  The families received numerous harassing phone calls and letters.  The decision was hated amongst most of the country.  Schools would create alternate prayers and ignored the decision.  Congress was very angry about the decision.  The opinion was collectively bad towards the decision.

    The court case was a landmark that left a legacy throughout the country.  It left a legacy of secularization.  Prayer would not be allowed in public school ever.  Teachers would not be allowed to preach about religion in the classroom or it would violate the law.  This case sent so many shockwaves that it spread to the saluting of the flag to be a lawsuit as well.  A similar case to this one occurred in 1985 called Wallace v. Jaffree.  This case left a very distinct legacy throughout the country.

    The court case of Engel vs. Vitale was a very important Supreme Court Case.  It has a very long history dating back to the Pilgrims.  The case would not have occurred if the Board of Education in New York did not enforce the prayer.  Five parents stood up with many arguments.  The defendants did their best to defend the prayer but the court decided to support the parents.  The initial response was very angry and the legacy of the case was left imprinted in the history of the United States of America, forever splitting religion from school.

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“ENGEL v. VITALE, 370 U.S. 421 (1962) .” FindLaw. FindLaw. 17 May 2009
    
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