<P> In these two landmark decisions , Engel v. Vitale ( 1962 ) and Abington School District v. Schempp ( 1963 ) , the Supreme Court established what is now the current prohibition on state - sponsored prayer in US schools . While the Engel decision held that the promulgation of an official state - school prayer stood in violation of the First Amendment 's Establishment Clause ( thus overruling the New York Courts ' decisions ) , Abington held that Bible readings and other public school - sponsored religious activities were prohibited . Madalyn Murray 's lawsuit , Murray v. Curlett , contributed to the removal of compulsory Bible reading from the public schools of the United States , and has had lasting and significant effects . </P>
<P> In these two landmark decisions , Engel v. Vitale ( 1962 ) and Abington School District v. Schempp ( 1963 ) , the Supreme Court established what is now the current prohibition on state - sponsored prayer in US schools . While the Engel decision held that the promulgation of an official state - school prayer stood in violation of the First Amendment 's Establishment Clause ( thus overruling the New York Courts ' decisions ) , Abington held that Bible readings and other public school - sponsored religious activities were prohibited . Madalyn Murray 's lawsuit , Murray v. Curlett , contributed to the removal of compulsory Bible reading from the public schools of the United States , and has had lasting and significant effects . </P>
when was prayer taken out of the schools
when was prayer taken out of the schools
1963
1963