The Case That Banned School Prayer: Engel v. Vitale Explained

In 1962, a 22-word prayer changed American history. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t controversial, at first. But when Engel v. Vitale reached the U.S. Supreme Court, it ignited a national firestorm over religion, freedom, and the role of faith in public life.Was this the moment God got kicked out of the classroom?Or was it a courageous defense of religious liberty?In this episode of theTheology Made Podcast, we unpack the courtroom case that still echoes through today’s culture wars. You'll hear the forgotten story behind the lawsuit, why Cold War fear shaped the debate, and what this case reveals about the danger of cozying up faith with political power.Theology Made is reader and listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.If this post helped you see God or the world a little more clearly, you can keep the coffee flowing and the ideas coming by supporting me here. Get full access to Theology Made at theologymade.substack.com/subscribe