June 5~Today’s edition of the Detroit News is reporting that “The University of Michigan-Dearborn plans to spend $25,000 for foot-washing stations, making it easier for Muslim students to practice their religion but sparking questions about the separation of church and state.”
Catholic League president Bill Donohue is sending the following letter to all Michigan lawmakers today via e-mail:
“I was surprised to learn that the University of Michigan-Dearborn plans to spend $25,000 for foot baths so that Muslim students can practice their religion without difficulty. What surprised me was the novelty: the trend in recent years has been for American campuses to neuter Christmas parties, ban the display of nativity scenes and essentially censor the public expression of Christianity. But not at the University of Michigan-Dearborn—they’re going the other way. Or are they?
“Here’s what I’d like to know. Do you regard this as accommodating religion or offering special privileges? If your answer is the former, would you be open to suggestions on how to accommodate the needs of Christian students on campus? I hope so because I have lots of ideas. If your answer is the latter, what are you going to do about it?
“I look forward to hearing from you about this important issue.”
Kiera McCaffrey is the Director of Communications for the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
