OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington administrators are denying permits for some religious activities on state property while accepting others.
The Department of General Administration has taken a nuanced view on what types of religious conduct are acceptable on state property. Prayer, church picnics and advertising for fundraisers sponsored by houses of worship have been allowed. Baptisms and religious speeches have not.
GA spokesman Jim Erskine acknowledges that it can be confusing. He says officials have been consulting with the attorney general’s office on the issues and are drawing a fine line between what is accepted and what is not. The state is trying to balance constitutional rights of free speech and religion against Washington constitutional limits on the state’s involvement.
