4
AssignmentMultiple Select

The Bill of Rights

Question 4 • MI-Government/Civics 2023

Think about how the court ruled in Engel v. Vitale. Based on that ruling, which of the following situations would be considered unconstitutional?Check all of the boxes that apply.

Answer
A
A public school teacher writes a prayer on the blackboard and asks her class to say it.
B
A public school principal prays each morning on the school’s loudspeaker system.
C
A private school requires its teachers to lead students in prayer.
D
A state passes a law requiring all schoolchildren to pray.

Explanation

Engel v. Vitale ruled that public schools may not sponsor or require prayer, even if the prayer is described as voluntary or non-denominational. A teacher leading students in a classroom prayer and a principal broadcasting prayer over a public school loudspeaker are government-sponsored religious activities. A state law requiring schoolchildren to pray would also violate the rule. The decision concerns public schools, so it does not prohibit a private school from requiring teachers to lead prayer.

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