In Engel v. Vitale, why did the courts rule that prayer in schools was unconstitutional? The prayer took time away from instruction. The prayer was considered a religious activity. The prayer promoted one religion. The prayer was required in the school.

Answer: it was considered a religious activity

In Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the short prayer required in New York schools was considered a religious activity and it is impermissible for a government funded institution to be in any way involved in the establishment of a prayer.