ENGEL V. VITALE

OVERVIEW

• A Jewish family in New York complained about a prayer in school.
• The voluntary prayer was written by the school board of regents.
• The prayer was to "Almighty God" which contradicted their Jewish beliefs.

VITALE

• Defendant: William Vitale
• Board of regents took the prayer out of the hands of the communities.
• They did this to lower the issue of prayer in school.
• School board of regents authorized a short, voluntary daily prayer to say.

ENGEL

• Plaintiff: Steven L. Engel
• Jewish student did not like that they said a prayer every morning.
• The prayer was against his Jewish beliefs.

DECISION

• The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Engel.
• The plaintiff won 6 votes to 1.
• Legal provision: establishment of religion
• Due to this case, prayer in public school was deemed unconstitutional.

SOURCES

• www.oyez.org
• www.wikipedia.com