Why would the Supreme Court rule, as they did in Engel v. Vitale, that a public school district cannot compose a school prayer to begin the school day?
(1 point)
Responses

Public schools are government institutions and cannot establish religious practices.
Public schools are government institutions and cannot establish religious practices.

Students are citizens and should not be forced to do things they don’t agree with.
Students are citizens and should not be forced to do things they don’t agree with.

It would take away parents’ rights to practice a different religion at home.
It would take away parents’ rights to practice a different religion at home.

Taxpayers should agree before being asked to fund religious activities in public schools.
Taxpayers should agree before being asked to fund religious activities in public schools.
Public schools are government institutions and cannot establish religious practices. Students are citizens and should not be forced to do things they don’t agree with. Taxpayers should agree before being asked to fund religious activities in public schools.
The correct response is: Public schools are government institutions and cannot establish religious practices.
The reason why the Supreme Court ruled, as they did in Engel v. Vitale, that a public school district cannot compose a school prayer to begin the school day is primarily because public schools are government institutions and cannot establish religious practices. This ruling is grounded in the principle of the separation of church and state, which is enshrined in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The establishment clause prohibits the government from promoting or endorsing any religion, and composing a school prayer to be recited by students would be seen as an endorsement of religion by a government institution. Therefore, the ruling in Engel v. Vitale protects the rights and freedoms of students, ensuring that they are not compelled to participate in religious activities that they may not agree with or that may conflict with their own beliefs. Additionally, the ruling safeguards the rights of parents to practice different religions at home without interference from the public school system. Moreover, the ruling recognizes the importance of respecting the diverse religious beliefs of taxpayers who may not wish to see their tax dollars funding religious activities in public schools.
