Engel v. Vitale 1962
Could a state compose an official prayer for public school students to recite?
370 U.S. 421 (1962)Religion
- The question
- Could a state compose an official prayer for public school students to recite?
- What the Court held
- No. A state-composed school prayer violates the Establishment Clause, even if participation is voluntary.
- The vote
- 6–1
- Read the opinion
- 370 U.S. 421 (1962), full text
This page summarizes the Court’s judgment in neutral terms. The opinion, concurrences and dissents are the authority; read them for the reasoning.