Santa Fe Independent School District v. Jane Doe (2000)
Issue: School Prayer
Bottom Line:Public schools Cannot Sponsor Religious Activity
Background
A Texas school district allowed a student "chaplain," who had been elected by fellow students, to lead a prayer over the public address system before home football games. Several students and their parents anonymously sued the school district, claiming a violation of what's known as the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled that the school district's policy regarding prayer was unconstitutional. Although led by students, the prayers were still a school-sponsored activity, the Court said, and they were coercive because they placed students in the position of having to participate in a religious ceremony.
"The Constitution demands that schools not force on
2007-09-23
16:57:48
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2 answers
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asked by
Anonymous
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Law & Ethics