The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the use of Muslim names and prayers in role-playing lessons by a California public school [see previous post here]. Two Christian families challenged the teaching sessions, arguing that the school's attempt to educate the students about Islam was, in fact, an attempt to indoctrinate the students in violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

A federal district court disagreed with the plaintiffs, and the court of appeals affirmed in a short decision requiring little justification. The attorney for the school district noted that the decision "underscores the fact that what the district and its teachers did was entirely within the mainstream of educational practice." The plaintiffs may seek rehearing before a panel of the entire Ninth Circuit.

[HT: "How Appealing"]