Question

In engel v. vitale, why did the courts rule that prayer in schools was unconstitutional?

Answer 1

In Engel v. Vitale, the courts ruled that prayer was unconstitutional in schools because prayer was considered to be a religious activity. 

Answer 2

Engel vs Vitale was a legal case in 1962 in which the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for any state official to elaborate an official school prayer and obligate students to recite it while in school.

Justice Black, who was an associate Justice in charge of the case, explained that the basis of the decision was the consideration of "separation between church and state", a process which had been undergoing since the 16th century in Europe. He also argued that the enforcement of this prayer would violate the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, which grants the constitutional right to the freedom of religion.