Assignment for 11/17

Engle V. Vitale
1. What issue was addressed in the case?
The issue in this case addressed an official school prayer and encouraging its recitation.

2. Explain the basic facts of the case.
In this case, a New York state law required the schools to open up with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. The law said any students who didn't want to participate didn't have to. A parent of one of the students sued since they thought the law violated the Establishment Clasue of the First Amendment.

3. How and why did the case progress through the courts?
The case progressed through the courts because there was a lot of debate upon the topic since it directly related to a violation of the Constitution.

4. Why was the case heard by the Supreme Court?
It was heard by the Supreme Court because the federal court didn't want to rule on it.

5. What was the Court's decision in the case?
The Court ruled in favor of the student and parent stating that prayer in school was a violation of the Constitution.

6. How does this case impact the nation and its people?
The case, in obvious ways, changed how schools allowed prayer in the school along with how they taught religion.  Though some people agreed with the ruling, some believe that the separation of church and state doesn't apply in this case.

7. What do you think about this case? (Do you think this is an important case? Do you agree with the Court's decision? Any other comments?)  I do think this case is important.  I agree with the ruling since that in my opinon I think church and state should be separated since not everyone believes in the same religion and if one is being followed in a school, it really isn't fair to the other people.