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Lee vs. Weisman 505U.S.577(1992 )

Lee vs. Weisman 505U.S.577(1992 ). Beth Olson. Date. Arguments heard on Nov. 6, 1991 Decision announced June 21, 1991. Brief Situation. This is a Supreme court case about prayer in school, specifically prayer led by public religious figures at public school ceremonies. Brief Situation.

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Lee vs. Weisman 505U.S.577(1992 )

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  1. Lee vs. Weisman505U.S.577(1992) Beth Olson

  2. Date • Arguments heard on Nov. 6, 1991 • Decision announced June 21, 1991

  3. Brief Situation • This is a Supreme court case about prayer in school, specifically prayer led by public religious figures at public school ceremonies

  4. Brief Situation • Principal invited a Jewish rabbi to give a non-sectarian prayer at a public school middle school graduation ceremony • Student Deb Weismen was a graduating student that was to participate in the ceremony • Weismen’s parents requested a restraining order to keep the rabbi from the graudation ceremony • The district court denied their request • Weismen family still attended the ceremony and rabbi gave benediction

  5. Brief Situation cont. • Weismens continued their case and won the the first circuit court of appeals • School District appealed to the supreme court, saying the participating the in prayer was a voluntary part of the ceremony and the ceremony itself was voluntary. Also, the prayer was non-denominational

  6. Issue • Does including clergy-led prayer in public school graduation ceremonies violate the establishment clause of the first amendment? (saying there can’t be established religion)

  7. Decision • Supreme court ruled in favor of the Weismens • They reasoned that even non-denomintational prayer acts take away from student benefits to participate in ceremony and sitting out in prayer is not really “voluntary”

  8. What does this mean to us? • Limits the role religion plays in public schools • Even nonsectarian prayer or acts go against the establishment clause

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