What was ruled unconstitutional in Engel v. Vitale?

In Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court ruled that mandatory prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This landmark decision established a precedent that governmental entities, including public schools, cannot sponsor or promote religious activities, such as prayer, in a way that endorses a particular faith or religion. The Court determined that even voluntary, non-denominational prayers presented as part of the school day could be seen as an attempt to establish religion, and thus were unconstitutional.

This case emphasized the separation of church and state, a fundamental principle in American democracy, ensuring that public schools remain secular institutions that respect the diverse beliefs of all students. Such a ruling reinforced the idea that while individuals are free to practice their religious beliefs, government institutions should not involve themselves in religious activities, particularly in environments where children are present and may feel compelled to participate.