Footbath's and freedom of religion

This was a story not widely publicized a few months back.

The skinny: Religion is pretty much banned from state-run schools, yet Muslims get to have foot baths added to public restrooms at the Dearborn campus of the University of Michigan, and it will be paid for by taxpayers. Wait, let me rephrase that: student fees will supposedly pay for this. And when student fees are not available for other projects, taxes will likely foot the bill for them.

I am curious as to how the ACLU can distinguish between a State-run school spending money on a footbath for Muslim students to prepare for prayer, versus say, purchasing a Bible, or a cross, or a prayer room for a Christian student to use. One of the commenters makes a great point. How fast would the ACLU jump on a state-run school that wanted to open a non-denominational church on campus for everyone to use?

Well, the article cited did state a possibile answer- a safety issue. Kind of spotty, but if you accept that argument, how about a private prayer room for christian students to pray without fear of persecution or harm from zealots who hate religion?

I then came across this article, (sorry for the cut-off, but the LA Times does have free registration) which also addresses the installation of the foot baths. I like how the foot bath is different than a normal religious request because it solves a safety issue, have no symbolic value, can be used by anyone (including Janitors!), and are not stylized in a religious way.

I finally refer you to a well-written essay from Rabbi Aryeh Spero, which speaks to the heart of this and other examples of religion, particularly Christianity, being attacked.

Religion is part of everyone's life, even if you choose not to participate in a belief structure, study, or particular faith. The fact that separation of church and state is mentioned means very little regarding the barrier that was created as a result of overanalyzing this section of the Constitution. I once wrote a lenghty article on this, so I might try to find it and dust it off for my blog here. I do see an interesting item brought up in this debate. If the students pay for it, does that make an item endorsing religion ok?