Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe – Flashcards
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Summary
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At a high school in Texas, prior to 1995, a stud met chaplain prayed over a loudspeaker before each home varsity football game. Two families, one Catholic and one Mormon sued to halt this practice. The school made it more non-sectarian, but one family appealed this decision.
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William Renquist
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Chief Justice
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Establishment of Religion
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Issues
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1st Amendment, Establishment Clause
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Amendments Involved
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Does the school's policy permitting student-led, student-initiated prayer at football games violate the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment?
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Question
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6-3 for Doe
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Decision
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Majority Opinion
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John Paul Stevens
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Minority Opinion
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William Rehnquist
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Conclusion
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Court held that the student led prayers were a violation of the 1st Amendment's Establishment Clause. The football games prayers were public speak taking place on government property and the district policy amounted to government endorsement of religion at school events.
