In the early 1950s, the New York Board of Regents twice recommended that school boards of the state approve a new resolution that would call for the reading of the Pledge of Allegiance, along with a prayer, in classrooms before the before the start of the day. The prayer did not specify any certain faith, but required the students to recognize their dependence on an “Almighty God”. By July of 1958, the Union Free District Number 9, Town of North Hampstead, adopted a resolution that stated the “Regent’s Prayer” would be recited in the school daily. The Board of Education for this school stated they were not violating any individual rights because of the non-denominational nature of the prayer, and because a student could be excused from the prayer if they had the approval of their parents. However, these concessions did little to
…show more content…
Emphasized the court’s ruling was not against religion, but sought to protect an individual’s religious freedom from government intrusion.
Religion should be left to the people themselves and those the people look to for spiritual guidance.
A broader stance on the establishment clause should be taken, and any type of public promotion, including giving financial aid to religious schools, violates the clause.
The only dissent came from Justice Stewart, who argued that the establishment clause was only meant to prevent the creation or adoption of a state-sponsored church, not to prohibit all types of government involvement with religion.
Abington School District v. Schempp, similar case to Engel v. Vitale happened in 1963.
Pennsylvania enacted laws that required, in effect, that the Holy Bible be read without comments, at the opening of each public school on each school day.
Like the public school in New York, students could be excused with the written consent of their
Emphasized the court’s ruling was not against religion, but sought to protect an individual’s religious freedom from government intrusion.
Religion should be left to the people themselves and those the people look to for spiritual guidance.
A broader stance on the establishment clause should be taken, and any type of public promotion, including giving financial aid to religious schools, violates the clause.
The only dissent came from Justice Stewart, who argued that the establishment clause was only meant to prevent the creation or adoption of a state-sponsored church, not to prohibit all types of government involvement with religion.
Abington School District v. Schempp, similar case to Engel v. Vitale happened in 1963.
Pennsylvania enacted laws that required, in effect, that the Holy Bible be read without comments, at the opening of each public school on each school day.
Like the public school in New York, students could be excused with the written consent of their