School sponsorship of a religious message is impermissible

Justice John Paul Stevens

The ruling follows the US First Amendment prohibiting "an establishment of religion".

In a written statement, Justice John Paul Stevens said prayers should not be allowed because they alienate non-believers both religiously and politically.

"School sponsorship of a religious message is impermissible because it sends the ancillary message to members of the audience who are non-adherents that they are outsiders," he said.

He concluded this meant they were "not full members of the political community, and an accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favoured members of the political community."

Contentious issue

The decision marks the latest twist in an issue that has been hotly contended in America for many years, and could carry enormous significance beyond football games or other high school sports events.

The ruling offered a strong reaffirmation of a 1962 decision that outlawed organised, officially sponsored prayer in public schools.

But the issue has always brought strong opposition. When the Texas case first came to court in March, an ABC News poll said two-thirds of Americans thought students should be permitted to lead such prayers.

The court's opinion bristles with hostility to all things religious in public life

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist

And in Texas' Republican primary election last March, 94% of voters approved a non-binding resolution backing student-initiated prayer at school sporting events.

Texas Governor George W Bush, almost certain to be chosen as Republican presidential nominee, filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold such student-led prayer.

Justice Stevens said the court recognises "the important role that public worship plays in many communities", but added, "such religious activity in public schools, as elsewhere, must comport with the First Amendment."

The ruling proved equally divisive in the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice William H Rehnquist and Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas were the most vociferous in their dissent.

"Even more disturbing than its holding is the tone of the court's opinion; it bristles with hostility to all things religious in public life," said Justice Rehnquist.

Religious opposition

However, student-led prayers have also been opposed by some on religious grounds

In 1995, four high school students and their parents sued the Santa Fe Independent School District in Galveston County, Texas, in 1995 over its policy of letting students elect a "chaplain" to lead "prayers" at graduation ceremonies and home football games.

Two families - one Catholic and one Mormon - challenged the policy. Their identities were protected by the courts.

After their lawsuit was filed, the school's policy was changed to let student-elected representatives - no longer called chaplains - give a "message or invocation".

Speakers are free to choose what they say so long as it promotes good sportsmanship.