School Shootings Increase After High Court Bans Prayer

In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court banned the recitation of prayer in public schools.

The prayer, developed by the New York Board of Regents in 1955, read:

"Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence on Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our teachers, and our country."

The prayer was challenged by Steven I. Engel, a Jew, who told his son this was "not the way we say prayers."

By a vote of 8-1, the Supreme Court ruled the recitation of the "Regents Prayer" unlawful.

Since that decision 56 years ago (to May 19, 2018) there have been 371 school shootings resulting in 498 deaths in the United States.