" [P]ublic Baptism in a Public park smacks of showmanship"
I was baptized in the Moyie River in North Idaho. It was most certainly NOT "showmanship," no more than the eunuch in the Bible that was baptized in the Jericho River was showmanship.
People around here get baptized in the Rogue River almost every weekend, THAT is not showmanship, either!
I think you are just uncomfortable with public displays of Christian beliefs. like so much of America today, the norm is to say "Season's Greetings" instead of Merry Christmas, Happy Turkey Day instead of Happy Thanksgiving and employees are told to remove any Christian crosses, sayings, pictures or carvings, lest other employees become offended.
I personally think it's a horrible trend...and very sad.
Ed
If that is what you think, then you dont know me very well.