Christian holidays and Sunday Closing Laws

[McCulloch]

Many western nations have a number of statutory holidays, that is holidays that have been established by legislation. Government services and most businesses are generally closed on these days. Exceptions for various things like emergency services and tourism are usually included in the legislation.
These holidays include just two types: Secular holidays, commemorating some event of national importance and explicitly Christian holidays, Christmas, Good Friday and Easter.
On top of that, many jurisdictions have Sunday closing laws, limiting among other things, the sale of alcohol on the Christian's weekly day of worship. No other religion has their holidays enacted into legislation in the West.

Is this appropriate for nations where governments are not to promote nor prohibit religion? Why or why not?

[Strider324]

Of course it's not appropriate. It clearly indicates that christianity has a favored status not afforded to any other religion.

The arguments I get justifying this is everything from "It's just tradition" to "We are a christian nation".

For most people I know, the honest answer is "I really don't give a toss, as long as I get the day off."

It's certainly a stretch to consider Xmas a religious holiday when its every waking expression is simply crass commercialism.

I hear Hobby Lobby really likes it though. Selling Xmas baubles made by atheist chinese people...

[DanieltheDragon]

Hobby lobby also probably collects money from abortions during the christmas Holidays as well through their investments.

[bluethread]

Hobby lobby also probably collects money from abortions during the christmas Holidays as well through their investments.

Since we are posting things that have nothing to do with the OP, I think the Freedom From Religion Foundation likes it, because it gives them an opportunity be insulting.

[JoeyKnothead]

Hobby lobby also probably collects money from abortions during the christmas Holidays as well through their investments.

Since we are posting things that have nothing to do with the OP, I think the Freedom From Religion Foundation likes it, because it gives them an opportunity be insulting.

None are more insulting than the religious zealot claiming he speaks for a god he can't show exists.

Go ahead, show ya do.

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 1 by McCulloch]

In a democracy any law that makes the books is appropriate by default.

It just means that other people with different cultural views have to unmake and make new laws when they get the opportunity and means.

[Divine Insight]

These holidays include just two types: Secular holidays, commemorating some event of national importance and explicitly Christian holidays, Christmas, Good Friday and Easter.

Is this appropriate for nations where governments are not to promote nor prohibit religion? Why or why not?

No, it's not appropriate. I have often suggested that we should do away with religion-specific holidays. But we can actually replace them with secular holidays that fall roughly at the same times of the year.

We should do away with Christmas, Good Friday and Easter. And instead just have four major holidays: Winter and Summer Solstices and Spring and Fall equinoxes.

Commerce should like that idea. That would give them four major holidays a year to make big bucks off.

This would also allow for Christmas to slowly become Winter Solstice since they are very close to being the same date. The Easter bunny could hop over to the Spring equinox. And then we'd end up with two more great holidays: The Summer Solstice and the Fall equinox.

I think we could make that transition fairly smoothly. This way instead of just pulling the carpet out from under those holidays abruptly they could just slowly evolve into something more secular and even scientific. It might even help people to better understand the astronomical reasons for the seasons.

[higgy1911]

As an atheist I couldn't care less about the holiday thing. But stores being required to close for them is ludicrous and a violation of the first amendment. All laws mandating observation of religious holidays or services should be repealed immediately. It's downright shameful for the government to restrict anyone's behavior based on someone else's religious opinions.

It doesn't bother me for the government to recognize religions or their influence on our national history. Court house nativity scenes don't bother me at all. But if I can't buy a drink on Sunday until afternoon(that's the local ordinance where I am) then that's a problem, since the Christians down the street are having their communion wine. It's a clear cut violation of any laws that prohibit establishment of religion.

[bluethread]

It's a clear cut violation of any laws that prohibit establishment of religion.

You appear to be confusing the Federal constitution with your state constitution. The first amendment to the Federal constitution precludes any national blue laws. However, the much ignored 10th amendment permits states to have them and, if the state constitution does not speak to them, the various localities within the state can have them.

[McCulloch]

It's a clear cut violation of any laws that prohibit establishment of religion.

You appear to be confusing the Federal constitution with your state constitution. The first amendment to the Federal constitution precludes any national blue laws. However, the much ignored 10th amendment permits states to have them and, if the state constitution does not speak to them, the various localities within the state can have them.

I would prefer that this debate be not about one particular country's constitutional separation of church and state and more about the principle of secularism, that is that our governments should remain separate from religions, neither promoting nor prohibiting them.
Now, if you prefer theocracy to secularism, then defend that choice. If on the other hand, you prefer our governments to remain separate from religions, then explain how blue laws, specifically religious national holidays and Sunday closing laws are not a violation of the principle of secularism.