Court decision allowing Muslim course in public schools is ‘double standard’

Wow. The story from the Catholic News Agency is just amazing. Here's a snippet:

For three weeks in 2001, 12-year-old students in a California public school were placed into Islamic city groups, took Islamic names, and wore identification tags that displayed their new Islamic name and the Star and Crescent Moon.

The were also handed materials that instructed them to "Remember Allah always so that you may prosper," completed the Islamic Five Pillars of Faith, including fasting, and memorized and recited the "Bismillah" or "In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate," which students also wrote on banners that were hung in the classroom.

Now, imagine, if you will, this same scenario in a Catholic context:
For about six weeks during Lent, 12-year-old public school students were placed into Roman Catholic parishes, took Confirmation names (after a patron saint), and wore holy medals displaying the image and name of their chosen patrons as well as a Crucifix.

They were also handed materials that instructed them to pray a daily Morning Offering, participated in the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, and abstained from meat on Fridays. They also memorized and recited the "Hail Mary" which students also wrote on banners that were hung in the classroom.

Don't you think half the world would be up in arms? One part would be in a snit because the public school was pushing a certain religious agenda. Another part, the Catholic part, would be in a snit because the school was making a mockery of its religion.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?