Question

Why would a state law requiring high school students to recite a specific prayer
violate the First Amendment?
A. The state's requirement amounts to the establishment of a religion.
B. Requiring students to pray interferes with their free exercise of religion.
☐ C. Prayer is never permitted in schools.
D. Prayer is not protected speech under the First Amendment.
E. Expressing religious opinions is not permitted on public property.

Answer 1

Final answer:

A state law requiring high school students to recite a specific prayer would violate the First Amendment by establishing a religion and interfering with students' free exercise of religion, as seen in the case of Engel v. Vitale (1962).

Explanation:

The state law requiring high school students to recite a specific prayer would violate the First Amendment primarily because:

1. It amounts to the establishment of a religion: Requiring students to recite a specific prayer in school could be seen as government endorsing a particular religious practice, violating the Establishment Clause.
2. Interfering with free exercise of religion: Compelling students to pray conflicts with their freedom to choose whether or not to engage in religious practices.

This violation was exemplified in the case of Engel v. Vitale (1962), where the Supreme Court ruled against mandatory prayer in public schools due to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Learn more about First Amendment and school prayer here:

https://brainly.com/question/29783554