Santa Fe Independent School District V. Doe

Jane Doe sues Santa Fe Independent School District.

District Court modifies policy to allow non-secular, non-proselytizing prayer.

Doe appeals.

Appellate court says that it is still unconstitutional.

Santa Fe School District Appeals.

Supreme Court rules the prayers unconstitutional.

Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe

What does this case suggest about the balance between individual rights and responsibilities?

Created and Presented by: Aundrea Silva

• More freedom of speech creates more controversy between individuals or groups with different beliefs.
• We, as U.S. citizens, have the right under the first amendment to speak out and to practice (or not practice) a religion.
• Our responsibilities, as U.S. citizens, are to abide by the laws our country has passed, and to obey the constitution (if morally correct)*.
• This case suggests that the balance between rights and responsibilities is not perfect, but does exist. This means that our rights and responsibilities do not always agree.

Ascendancy

*The constitution says, "We have the right to rebel if [the constitution] goes against our morals".

Any Questions?

Why?

Precedent Cases

Some students in Santa Fe decided to do a public prayer before all of their home football games. Some people in the audience felt that they were being forced to pray at these games. This was said to have violated the Establishment Clause, which was created to prevent the government from respecting an establishment of religion. (So basically, Separation of Church and State).

• McCollum v. Board of Education Dist. 71 (1948) -- Court rules that religious instruction in public schools is unconstitutional.
• Stone v. Graham (1980) -- Court finds posting of Ten Commandments in schools unconstitutional.
• Engel v. Vitale (1962) -- Any kind of prayer (even nondenominational) in public schools violates the Establishment Clause.

Court's Rationale

Who?

Facts

When?

• The Justices found that the student speech was not private.
• Since it was at a school, it was found to be under government support.
• It was considered public speech.

Argued March 29, 2000–Decided June 19, 2000

• Santa Fe Independent School District
• Jane Doe

Other Notes:

• The name "Jane Doe" represents two families. (One Mormon family and one Catholic family.)
• Jane Doe challenged Santa Fe.
• Santa Fe, Texas... Not New Mexico.

• Students elected a few classmates to give pre-game prayers at their home football games.
• Other students sued with the argument that this violated the Establishment Clause.
• The school district countered that pre-game prayers were tradition in Texas communities.
• Since students were the ones giving the prayers, it was student speech, not state-sponsored.

Issue

Holding/Decision

Do public student-led prayers violate the Establishment Clause?

Amendments Involved

• These prayers DO violate the Establishment Cause.
• Decision was 6-3.

First Amendment: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and Separation of Church and State.