Santa Fe -- Doe Santa Term Paper

Total Length: 617 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

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.. solemnity is impermissible when, in actuality, it constitutes prayer sponsored by the school" and in considering that the school regularly provided student-led prayer, this represents "school sponsorship of a religious message" which is "impermissible because it sends the ancillary message to members of the audience who are non-adherents" of the denomination on which the prayer was based, i.e., Baptist/Evangelical beliefs. Also, since the school was part of a government entity, it was viewed as constitutionally inappropriate for the school to sponsor and support one denomination over another ("Santa Fe Independent," 2007, Internet).

REASONING: Clearly, the U.S. Supreme Court was justified in its final decision in this case which found that the Santa Fe Independent School District did indeed violate the Establishment clause of the First Amendment. The majority based this decision on a previous lawsuit known as Lynch v. Donnelly; thus, the court found that the delivery of a religious prayer/message "Over the school's PA system.
.. under the supervision of school faculty... And school policy... explicitly and implicitly encourages public prayer" which technically is not "private speech" ("Santa Fe Independent," 2007, Internet).

ANALYSIS: Undoubtedly, the prayer which was delivered at the game was based on Baptist/Evangelical beliefs and ideologies which conflicted with the religious beliefs and practices of others in attendance, i.e., Catholics and Mormons. If the Santa Fe school district wishes to continue the recitation of a prayer at the opening of sporting events, it should include prayers based on other denominations. If this is unacceptable, then the school district should cease all prayer recitation in public places......

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Latest APA Format (6th edition)

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"Santa Fe -- Doe Santa" (2007, June 26) Retrieved May 13, 2025, from
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"Santa Fe -- Doe Santa" 26 June 2007. Web.13 May. 2025. <
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"Santa Fe -- Doe Santa", 26 June 2007, Accessed.13 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/santa-fe-doe-santa-36960