Supreme Court Allows Prayers at Town Meetings

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48. No, in 1962 the issue was prays among people who COULD NOT walk out

Prays in School were ruled unconstitutional on the grounds that Children HAD to attend Public Schools, and as such could NOT avoid participating in prays that they may object to.

In Marsh vs Nebraska (cited in the opinion) the court ruled that when a State Legislature has a prayer at the opening of a session, that does NOT involve forcing people to participate in something they object to. It was a mere ceremonial act with no Coercive trait that has been done since BEFORE the adoption of the Bill of Rights, and continued AFTER the Adoption of the Bill of Rights.

The Majority ruled this pray was like opening prays by a Court (including the US Supreme Court), Congress or any State Legislatures, not like in a Public School with mandatory attendance. The Dissent wanted to say that such Local Government Meetings were much more like a Public School with its Mandatory attendance then State Legislatures with they ceremonial openings which often includes a pray.