Washington State Denies Permit For Baptism Ceremony At State Capitol Park

In Olympia, Washington, Heritage Park is a 24-acre state-owned park next to the state capitol campus.  The state will issue permits for events to be held at the park.  Today's Bellingham (WA) Herald reports that the state's Department of General Administration has given Reality Church of Olympia a permit for a barbecue and picnic to be held today, but has denied its request to conduct a baptism along with the event.  The Department, deciding an appeal of an initial denial, said that the state constitution bars the use of public property for religious worship. The church had argued that its free speech and free exercise rights were infringed by the denial.