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Abington School District v. Schempp

By 16ferse
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    Abington School District v. Schempp

  • Pennsylvania law

    Pennsylvania law
    The Schempp case concerned a 1949 Pennsylvania law that forced public schools to start each day with a reading of Bible verses.

  • Bible reading and the Lord’s prayer were once again challenged in public schools.

    Bible reading and the Lord’s prayer were once again challenged in public schools.
    Madalyn Murray O’Hair and her son were famous atheists who challenged prayer in public schools. Her son protested and did not attend school for 18 days. The Murrays felt that the rule conflicted with the Establishment Clause and violated the Free Exercise Clause by discriminating against atheists

  • In 1962, the Schempp was the first case to reach the federal court

    In 1962, the Schempp was the first case to reach the federal court
    Edward Schempp, a father of three, did not like certain parts of the Bible being read in school because they were very graphic. He wanted his children to believe that God was like a human father. Because of this he began the lawsuit.

  • Schempp ruling

    Schempp ruling
    In 1962, the Schempp ruling involved two cases, Abington School District v. Schempp
    and Murray v. Curlett. The Schempp case concerned a 1949 Pennsylvania law that forced public schools to start each day with a reading of Bible verses.

  • Supreme Court

    Supreme Court
    In 1962, the US Supreme court bans state authored prayer recited in public schools.

  • Schempp/Murray case was argued in the Supreme court

    Schempp/Murray case was argued in the Supreme court
    Schempp allowed the supports of school prayer to defend their position in court. these supporters argued that they did not violate the Establishment Clause. They said that they were not teaching religion, but were providing a “proper moral climate for students.”

  • In 1963, The Supreme Court supported the Engel decision again when they ruled in favor of Shempp and Murray.

    In 1963, The Supreme Court supported the Engel decision again when they ruled in favor of Shempp and Murray.
    The court ruled that Bible reading and the Lord’s prayer violated the Establishment Clause. it decided that Bible study or religion was acceptable but only if presented objectively` and not as part of a religion program. Religion in public schools was not allowed under the First Amendment. Justice Brennan wrote a long document in which he explained that prayer and Bible reading in public schools can't be allowed.