Im Cool
... Subject Categories Freedom of Religion Dates Argued on April 3, 1962 Decided on June 25, 1962 Facts of the Case The Board of Regents for the State of New York authorized voluntary prayer for recitation at the start of each school day. The prayer "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and beg Thy blessings upon us, our teachers, and our country." Question Presented Does the reading of a nondenominational prayer at the state of the school day violate the "establishment of religion" clause of the First Amendment? Conclusion Yes. Neither the prayer's nondenominational character nor its voluntary character saves it from unconstitutionality. By providing the prayer, New York officially approved religion. This was the first in a series of cases in which the Court used the establishment clause to eliminate religious activities of all sorts, which had traditionally been a part of public ceremonies. Despite the passage of time, the decision is still unpopular with a majority of Americans. Hugo L. Black, Ala. Felix Frankfurter, Mass. William O. Douglas, Conn. Tom C. Clark, Tex. John M. Harlan, N.Y. William J. Brennan, Jr., N.J. Charles E. Whittaker, Mo. Potter Stewart, Ohio Byron R. White, Colo. Arthur J. Goldberg, Ill. Subject Categories Freedom of Religion Dates Argued on April 3, 1962 Decided on June 25, 1962 Facts of the Case The Board of Regents for the State of New York authorized voluntary prayer for recitation at the start of each school day. The prayer "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and beg Thy blessings upon us, our teachers, and our country." Question Presented Does the reading of a nondenominational prayer at the state of the school day violate the "establishment of religion" clause of the First Amendment? Conclusion Yes. Neither the prayer's nondenominational character nor its voluntary character saves it from unconstitutionality. By providing the prayer, New York officially approved religion. This was the first in a series of cases in which the Court used the establishment clause to eliminate religious activities of all sorts, which had traditionally been a part of public ceremonies. Despite the passage of time, the decision is still unpopular with a majority of Americans. Hugo L. Black, Ala. Felix Frankfurter, Mass. William O. Douglas, Conn. Tom C. Clark, Tex. John M. Harlan, N.Y. William J. Brennan, Jr., N.J. Charles E. Whittaker, Mo. Potter Stewart, Ohio Byron R. White, Colo. Arthur J. Goldberg, Ill....