Christians sentenced for allowing Muslims to attend Sunday School

(RNS) Three Indonesian women who ran a Christian Sunday school program were convicted and sentenced Sept. 1 to three years in prison for allowing Muslim children to attend.

The judges cited the Child Protection Act of 2002, which forbids "deception, lies or enticement" of children that might lead to their conversion.

The program, called "Happy Sunday," was run out of the homes of the three women, Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun. Launched in September 2003, the program's purpose was to provide Christian education for Christian students. As it grew in popularity, though, the women admitted some Muslim students who had verbal consent from their parents.

According to media reports, none of the Muslim students converted to Christianity, and the teachers sent home any students who did not have parental permission to attend.