Question

Engel

Argued that school-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This clause states that, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Stated that the provision allowing students to absent themselves from this activity did not make the law constitutional because the purpose of the First Amendment was to prevent government interference with religion.

Answer 1

The Engel v. Vitale case determined that school-sponsored prayer is unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits government from favoring a religion. The ruling reinforces the principle of 'separation of church and state', while the Free Exercise Clause protects individual religious practices. This case ensures religious neutrality in public education while safeguarding individual religious freedoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Engel v. Vitale was a landmark Supreme Court case that addressed the constitutionality of school-sponsored prayer. The case highlighted the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment which prohibits the government from establishing a religion. The case concluded that even non-denominational, voluntary school prayers constitute an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. This decision has since played a critical role in enforcing the "separation of church and state" within public institutions, especially schools. On the other hand, it is important to note that the First Amendment also includes the Free Exercise Clause that protects individuals' religious practices from government interference. The delicate balance between these two clauses has made the issue of prayer in public schools a contentious one.

The Supreme Court's decisions in such cases, including Engel v. Vitale, strive to uphold the rights of individuals while ensuring that the government does not favor a particular religion or belief system. As such, while personal, voluntary prayer is permissible in schools, any form of organized or officially sanctioned prayer activity is prohibited to maintain religious neutrality in public education.

In conclusion, it is critical to understand that the Constitution aims to prevent both the establishment of a state-sponsored religion and the infringement upon individuals' rights to the free exercise of their religion. This nuanced approach is key in shaping the legal framework around religious activities and practices within government-run institutions like public schools.