Engel v. Vitale (1962) was a case in which New York State's Board of Regents attempted to force children to pray in public schools. The Supreme Court ruled that this law violated the First Amendment. The ruling affirmed that, in the United States, church and state (religion and government) were separate. If a child attended a public school, he/she should be able to express his/her own religious beliefs in any way he/she sees fit. The case of West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) involved forced participation in the Pledge of Allegiance. Two students claimed they could not participate in the pledge based on religious beliefs and sued the state board. Again, the Supreme Court agreed that the students should be allowed to excuse themselves from any ceremonies that offended their religious beliefs.
Engel v. Vitale (1962) was a case in which New York State's Board of Regents attempted to force children to pray in public schools. The Supreme Court ruled that this law violated the First Amendment. The ruling affirmed that, in the United States, church and state (religion and government) were separate. If a child attended a public school, he/she should be able to express his/her own religious beliefs in any way he/she sees fit. The case of West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) involved forced participation in the Pledge of Allegiance. Two students claimed they could not participate in the pledge based on religious beliefs and sued the state board. Again, the Supreme Court agreed that the students should be allowed to excuse themselves from any ceremonies that offended their religious beliefs.
