Engel v. Vitale (1962) School initiated prayer in the public school system violates the First Amendment. The prayer also violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Findings The State was not trying to endorse any type of religion with the prayer: “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence on Thee, and beg thy blessings on us, our teachers, and our country.” The student alleged that any prayer regardless of denomination or nondenominational violates the First Amendment that separates church and state. The State of New York Court upheld the trial courts decision that public schools can use prayer as long as it was voluntary. The parents, along with ACLU, appealed to the Supreme Court. The ruling was 6-1 holding for the student. The only judge in dissent was Justice Stewart arguing that the Establishment Clause was meant to prohibit a state sponsored church, not government involvement with religion under nondenominational practices.

Implications Government sponsored prayer, no matter what denomination nor voluntary, cannot be allowed in education as it violates the Establishment Clause. This was the first in many cases where the court used the Establishment Clause to eliminate religious activities.