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
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
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
All of these points are reasons why the Supreme Court ruled against allowing public school districts to compose a school prayer in Engel v Vitale:
1. Separation of Church and State: Public schools are government institutions and are bound by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing or promoting any particular religion. Composing a school prayer would be seen as endorsing a particular religious practice, violating the principle of religious neutrality in public institutions.
2. Individual Freedom: Students have the right to freely exercise their own religious beliefs or choose not to practice any religion at all. Forcing students to participate in a school prayer would infringe upon their individual freedom of religion and could create an environment where religious minorities or non-believers feel excluded or pressured to conform.
3. Respect for Diversity: Allowing a school prayer would prioritize one religious belief over others and undermine the diversity of beliefs among students and their families. Public schools are meant to be inclusive and respectful of different religious traditions, and composing a school prayer could marginalize students who do not share in that particular religious practice.
4. Parental Rights: Requiring students to participate in a school prayer could interfere with the rights of parents to guide their children's religious upbringing. Parents may adhere to different religious beliefs or may not want their children to be exposed to religious practices in a public school setting. By prohibiting school prayers, the Supreme Court upholds parents' rights to pass on their own religious values to their children.
5. Use of Public Funds: Taxpayer money is used to fund public schools, and allowing religious activities such as composing a school prayer would imply a government endorsement of that particular religious practice. Requiring taxpayer support for religious activities in schools could be seen as unfairly favoring one religion over others and violating the principle of religious equality.
By considering these factors, the Supreme Court concluded that composing a school prayer in a public school setting would violate the constitutional principles of religious freedom, neutrality, respect for diversity, and the rights of individuals and parents.