Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe

Last modified 2011.09.15


  • Status Closed
  • Type Amicus
  • Court U.S. Supreme Court
  • Issues Government-Supported Religion, Schools and Learning, Teaching Religion in Public Schools

On June 19, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld, by a 6-3 vote, a decision of the Fifth Circuit striking down a policy allowing student-led prayer at high school football games.

The decision reaffirmed earlier decisions prohibiting school-sponsored religious activities, finding that the seemingly “private” nature of the speaker was not determinative. Rather, the court will examine the text of a policy to see if it encourages prayer and the extent of school sponsorship and control over the event in which the activity takes place.

Finally, the court also held that students would likely feel peer and community pressure to participate in prayer taking place at such school-sponsored events. Justices Rehnquist, Scalia and Thomas dissented.

AU advised counsel during the case and joined in an amicus brief that was submitted to the Supreme Court on February 2, 2000.

BREAKING NEWS

Americans United & the National Women’s Law Center file suit to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans.

Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state. Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center—the leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice—have joined forces with thirteen clergy from six faith traditions to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on everyone.


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