That seems to be the subtle lesson that will be taught in Seattle.

I seem to recall even asking for a moment of silence for any religious person to observe their faith has been soundly opposed pretty much every time it goes out the gate

Some highlights from the ACLU:

• ACLU of VA Urges School Officials to Drop Plans For "Moment of Silence" and Posting of Prayer (8/26/1999)
• The Virginia statute that authorizes a moment of silence in public schools may not violate the Constitution because its purpose may not be religious. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to adopt any law or policy that requires or enables a moment of silence primarily for the purpose of praying or other religious endeavors
•  ACLU Challenges Virginia’s ‘Minute of Silence’ Law (6/22/2000)
• The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia today filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a newly enacted state law requiring public schools to begin each day with a minute of silence so that students may "meditate, pray or engage in other silent activity."

The moment of silence won, when the SCOTUS refused to hear the ACLU’s complaint in 2001

But then again there is this from this March:

Complaint challenges moment of silence in schools

An atheist couple whose children attend a Carrollton-Farmers Branch elementary school have filed a complaint in federal district court arguing that the state’s mandated moment of silence in public schools is unconstitutional. 

David and Shannon Croft named the school district and Gov. Rick Perry in their complaint, filed Friday. In it, they say one of their children was told by a teacher to be quiet because the minute is a "time for prayer."

Kathy Walt, spokeswoman for the governor, said state law clearly gives children the freedom to do what they wish with the moment of silence.

The law, passed in 2003, allows children to "reflect, pray, meditate or engage in any other silent activities" for one minute after the American and Texas pledges at the beginning of each school day.

So prayer, bad….Moment of silence, bad, but maybe not bad enough to ban.

There is more, but you get the idea.  Student led prayers or students being forced to pray?  I can respect opposition to that.  But if even asking for the accommodation of a moment of silence for meditation or prayer is naughty, then what say the ACLU and the Atheists about this little bit in Seattle?

Committee will propose guidelines for issue of prayer

The SPS Department of Race and Equity is looking for SEA members to participate in a “Prayer in Schools Committee,” the charge of which is to look at how to address this issue District wide and to provide information about our Muslim students that will help teachers and building leaders make decisions that support the needs of our diverse students and families. The next meeting is scheduled for May 30th, 3:00 - 4:30.

I would expect the howls of anguish from the ACLU and others, but remember this is to show diversity and tolerance to Muslims, something that seems to trump normal rules.

This is not a new issue mind you.  Religioustolerance.org posted this:  RELIGION AND PRAYER IN U.S. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Accomondating Muslims 

Other websites also note various cases about allowing Muslims to pray without hindrance.

Look, a moment of silence is a quick passive thing.  You just have to shut up and respect people who are doing whatever it is they do.  Its an issue of respect.

Muslims prayers are generally not so passive. They are a bit more lengthy, involve kneeling and chanting etc, and at specified times..  It is not debatable that prayer to a practicing Muslim is a very serious issue. 

Therefore, accommodation should be discussed, but I think it is disturbing that more effort is being made to make accommodation to them out of concerns for diversity and sensitivity then would be for any other faith.

And I know Seattle is not the first to treat this as a topic of concern, and they will not be the last.  But Seattle has its own special definition of racism as well, so that they are treating this with kid gloves is not remarkable.

Welcome to the multicultural 21st Century.

I eagerly await the ACLU’s opposition.