Prayer in Schools
6 items
Engel v. Vitale | BRI’s Homework Help Series
Video
Video
6 Min
Is school-sponsored prayer in public schools a violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment? In 1951, some New York schools began starting the day with a non-denominational prayer. This Homework Help video tells the story of the ensuing landmark Supreme Court case of Engel v. Vitale.
6 Min
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
E Lesson
E Lesson
20 Min
The saying goes “as long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools.” And individual students can indeed pray for straight A’s or for other reasons. But the Supreme Court decision in Engel v. Vitale (1962) held that official recitation of prayers in public schools violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. The ruling is hailed by some as a victory for religious freedom, while criticized by others as striking a blow to the nation’s religious traditions.
Lee v. Weisman (1992)
E Lesson
E Lesson
20 Min
This lesson spotlights Deborah Weisman and the Supreme Court case Lee v. Weisman (1992). In this case, Deborah objected to her public school district’s practice of inviting clergy to deliver invocations and benedictions at graduation ceremonies. The Supreme Court agreed that the Rabbi-led non-sectarian prayer violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Reading Engel v. Vitale Supreme Court Case Excerpts
Video
Video
16 Min
Does the reading of a nondenominational prayer in school violate the “establishment of religion” clause of the First Amendment? In this episode of BRI’s Primary Source Close Reads, Joshua Schmid is joined again by Dr. Josh Dunn as they discuss excerpts from Engel v. Vitale. What did the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment attempt to accomplish? What was the constitutional basis for the justices’ decision?
16 Min
Engel v. Vitale Decision Excerpts | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI
Video
Video
21 Min
What is the proper relationship between church and state in the U.S.? Americans have debated this question throughout our history, and the Supreme Court has issued a variety of rulings on the subject throughout the years. In this Primary Source Close Read, Josh and Tony take a look at excerpts from the case of Engel v. Vitale and examine the Supreme Court's ruling in this landmark decision concerning school prayer.
21 Min
Engel v. Vitale Viewing Guide
Activity
Activity
Viewing guide to use with the Engel v. Vitale Homework Help video.