Lake officials deny minister permit to perform baptisms

By The Associated Press

07.17.02

Printer-friendly page

AUGUSTA, Mich. — Baptist minister William Stein said the calm waters of Eagle Lake are the perfect place to conduct mass Christian baptisms.

Fort Custer Recreation Area officials disagree.

Stein asked for permission to conduct baptisms at the lake on at least seven summer days, but was denied a use permit to do so.

Park manager William M. Kosmider told the Kalamazoo Gazette for a story last week that groups have used Eagle Lake for baptisms in the past, but there have been problems in recent years.

Last year, a large Christian group tried to cordon off part of the beach and used a powerful public announcement system that disturbed others.

Kosmider said he looked to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for guidance on Stein's request.

A DNR Parks and Recreation policy asks religious groups wanting to solicit, canvass or proselytize in a state park to submit a request in writing, wear identification tags and abide by park rules.

The policy also states that any church service approved in parks must not conflict with other park uses and "must reflect clearly that it is an interdenominational service, have a primary effect that neither advances nor inhibits a specific religion, and avoids excessive governmental entanglements."

In a letter denying Stein's permit request, Kosmider cited the interdenominational requirement and wrote that "it can be assumed that your activities would dominate the activities on a popular beach on several summer weekends, and may conflict with other user's enjoyment."

Kosmider said the permit denial means Stein can't have a public announcement system or cordon off sections of the beach along Eagle Lake.

But he said park officials won't stop Stein from setting up a table with a sign and baptizing individuals who come to him and request the service.

"There is a difference between special accommodation and a prohibition," Kosmider said.

James Rodbard, president of the Southwest Michigan branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the permit denial appears to be based on the content of Stein's religious activity.

Rodbard says the ACLU will assist Stein in obtaining use permits.

"To have a blanket prohibition against sectarian religious service in a public place is unconstitutional," Rodbard said.

He said that although the DNR policy might be in place to avoid the appearance that the department is endorsing one religion over another, it violates the free-speech clause of the First Amendment.

"This is not a case where the government is sponsoring or endorsing religious activities," Rodbard said. "Rather it is one where government is denying a private group the right to engage in speech based on the content of the speech."

DNR spokesman Brad Wurfel said the ACLU should contact the DNR directly to try and resolve matter.

"There is a misunderstanding," Wurfel said.