Facts:
Principal Lee invited a rabbi to deliver prayers at the graduation exercises. The rabbi was provided a pamphlet recommending public prayers at nonsectarian civic ceremonies be composed with inclusiveness and sensitivity. Attendance at graduation is voluntary.
Procedure:
District Court found Establishment Clause violation. Court of Appeals affirmed.
Issue:
Whether including clerical members who offer prayer as part of official school graduation ceremonies is consistent with the First Amendment?
Ruling:
No. Affirmed.
Analysis:
It is no part of the business of government to compose official prayers for any group of American people to recite. The school district’s supervision and control of graduation places public pressure, as well as peer pressure, on attending graduation and students standing as a group, or at least maintaining respectful silence during the invocation and benediction. In order to satisfy the Establishment Clause, the government practice must reflect a clearly secular purpose, have a primary effect that neither advances or inhibits religion, and avoid excessive government entanglement with religion. (Lemon test under Lemon v. Kurtzman)
