Church History · 1962

The Supreme Court Ends School Led Prayer

In Engel v. Vitale, 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that public schools could not lead students in a prayer written by the state. A year later, Abington v. Schempp ended school led Bible reading. Students can still pray and read their Bibles on their own.

Read it in the Bible: Matthew 6:5 to 6 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Daniel 6:10 Deuteronomy 6:6 to 7

On June 25, 1962, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Engel v. Vitale that public schools may not lead students in an official prayer written by the government. A year later, on June 17, 1963, the Court ruled in Abington School District v. Schempp that schools may not lead students in Bible reading or the Lord's Prayer as a daily religious exercise. These cases did not ban prayer by students. They banned prayer and Bible reading led and sponsored by the school. Here are the facts, plainly.

What Was Engel v. Vitale About?

In 1951 the New York State Board of Regents, which oversaw the state's schools, wrote a short prayer for students to say each morning. It read:

Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country. Amen.

Students could stay silent or leave the room if they did not want to join in. A group of parents in New Hyde Park, New York, sued. They said that a prayer written by the state broke the First Amendment, which says the government shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.

What Did the Supreme Court Decide in 1962?

The Court ruled 6 to 1 against the Regents' prayer. Justice Hugo Black wrote the majority opinion. He said it is no part of the business of government to compose official prayers for people to recite. The fact that students could opt out did not fix the problem, because the state itself had written the prayer and put it in the school day.

Justice Potter Stewart was the only one to disagree. He argued that a short, voluntary prayer was not the same as setting up a state church. He pointed out that the Supreme Court itself opened with “God save the United States and this Honorable Court,” and that the national anthem mentions God. Two justices did not take part in the case.

What Was Abington v. Schempp?

Pennsylvania law required public schools to read at least ten Bible verses at the start of each day. Many schools also had students say the Lord's Prayer. The Schempp family, who were Unitarian, challenged the law. A similar case from Baltimore, Murray v. Curlett, was joined to it. That one was brought by Madalyn Murray, later known as Madalyn Murray O'Hair, who went on to found the group American Atheists.

The Court ruled 8 to 1 that school led Bible reading and prayer as a religious exercise broke the First Amendment. Justice Tom Clark wrote the opinion. Justice Stewart again disagreed. Justice Clark also wrote that the Bible can be studied in school for its literary and historical value, as long as it is taught objectively as part of a regular course.

How Did Americans React?

Many Americans were shocked. Polls at the time showed most people disagreed with the rulings. Some members of Congress proposed constitutional amendments to bring back school prayer, but none passed. Billy Graham said he was disappointed. Some church leaders, though, supported the rulings. They felt that faith should come from families and churches, not from a prayer written by a government office.

People still argue about what the rulings meant for the country. That debate is outside what this page covers. The aim here is to explain what the Court decided and what it did not.

Can Students Still Pray in Public School?

Yes. This is the part many people miss. The rulings limited what the school and its staff may lead. They did not stop students from praying. According to the United States Department of Education's guidance, students may:

Pray alone or in groups during free time, like lunch or recess
Pray silently in class, such as before a test
Read their Bibles or other religious books during free time
Say grace before meals
Talk about their faith with friends
Start religious clubs on the same terms as other clubs
Write about their faith in homework and art, graded on normal standards

Groups like See You at the Pole, where students gather at the school flagpole to pray, began in 1990 and are fully legal because students lead them.

What Does the Bible Say About Prayer?

Jesus actually warned against making prayer a public show. He taught that real prayer is personal, between you and your Father.

But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Paul told believers to keep praying all the time, not only at set times.

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Daniel prayed three times a day in Babylon even when a law said not to, as Daniel 6 tells. No court, and no school bell, can stop a person from talking to God.

Why Does This Matter for You?

Whatever you think of the 1962 and 1963 rulings, prayer was never really in the hands of the Regents of New York. It was always in the hands of praying people. Parents can teach their children to pray at the breakfast table. Kids can pray on the bus, in the lunchroom and before a math test. Some of those math tests probably need it.

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Questions People Ask

What did Engel v. Vitale decide?

On June 25, 1962, the Supreme Court ruled 6 to 1 that a New York public school prayer written by the state violated the First Amendment's ban on an establishment of religion. Justice Hugo Black wrote the opinion.

Did the Supreme Court ban the Bible in schools?

No. Abington v. Schempp in 1963 ruled that schools may not lead daily Bible reading as a religious exercise. The Court said the Bible may still be studied objectively for its history and literature, and students may read their own Bibles in free time.

Can students pray in public school?

Yes. Students may pray alone or in groups during free time, pray silently in class, say grace, and form religious clubs on the same terms as other clubs. What is not allowed is prayer led or sponsored by the school.

Who was involved in the school prayer cases?

Engel v. Vitale was brought by parents in New Hyde Park, New York. Abington v. Schempp was brought by the Schempp family of Pennsylvania and joined with Murray v. Curlett, brought by Madalyn Murray O'Hair of Baltimore.

Sources

← The Second Vatican Council The Jesus Movement →

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