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(Denver-AP) -- National Park Service lawyers say a policy asking people to respect Indian religion doesn't violate the constitutional separation of church and state.
The Natural Bridge and Arch Society is challenging the policy of Glen Canyon National Recreation area in Utah.
The policy asks visitors to avoid walking under or near Rainbow Bridge out of respect for the Navajo and Hopi religions. They consider the sandstone bridge sacred.
The park's lawyer say the restriction is voluntary and people are free to ignore it.
But the group says some park rangers enforce the restriction more forcibly.
The sides argued before the U-S Court of Appeals in Denver, which is hearing the appeal of a district court decision upholding the policy.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
