Difference between revisions of "Sunday law"
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The majority of blue laws have been repealed by civil governments, mainly so that economic activity can purportedly increase. | The majority of blue laws have been repealed by civil governments, mainly so that economic activity can purportedly increase. | ||
| − | Some blue laws still remain active, mainly related to alcoholic beverage sales. Blue laws vary from state to state, and sometimes within a state between counties and municipalities. For example, in [[Texas]], state law prohibits beer and wine sales on Sundays before 10AM, and liquor sales in their entirety. (Texas also has a blue law pertaining to automobile sales: dealers can open on either Saturday or Sunday, but not both. The majority of dealers close on Sundays.) | + | Some blue laws still remain active, mainly related to alcoholic beverage sales. Blue laws vary from state to state, and sometimes within a state between counties and municipalities.<ref>After the repeal of the [[18th Amendment]] nationwide [[prohibition]] on the manufacture and distribution of liquor, the states and the people reserved to right to regulate liquor sales per the [[10th Amendment]]. [[SCOTUS]] upheld the notion of [[community standards]] in the 1973 ''Miller v California ruling''.</ref> For example, in [[Texas]], state law prohibits beer and wine sales on Sundays before 10AM, and liquor sales in their entirety. (Texas also has a blue law pertaining to automobile sales: dealers can open on either Saturday or Sunday, but not both. The majority of dealers close on Sundays.) |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 21:12, April 27, 2024
Sunday laws (also known as blue laws) are a form of civilly enforced decree which usually restrict activities on the first day of the week, Sunday. Such laws traditionally were established for the accommodation of sun worship, which became "Christianized" during the fourth century when the Church of Rome fell under pagan influence and replaced Sabbath observance with Sunday observance.[1]
Fourth century: antipathy towards the Sabbath
In the first Sunday law enacted, Emperor Constantine dictated:[1]
| “ | On the venerable Day of the sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits: because it often happens that another Day is not so suitable for grain sowing or for vine planting: lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost. | ” |
| —Constantine I, 321 A.D. | ||
Some contemporary professed Christians defend Constantine's decree by arguing that Sunday observance was already a norm, and therefore it was solidifying a biblical tradition. Notwithstanding the fact that these claims have been refuted (mostly by Seventh-day Adventists), Constantine's declaration notably described the first day of the week as "venerable Day of the sun," indicating a pagan glorification.
The Council of Laodicea declared:[1]
| “ | Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday (Sabbath), but shall work on that Day: but the Lord’s Day, they shall especially honour; and as being Christians, shall, if possible, do no work on that day. If however, they are found Judaizing, they shall be shut out from Christ. | ” |
| —Council of Laodicea, Canon XXIX, 364 A.D. | ||
Modern Law
The majority of blue laws have been repealed by civil governments, mainly so that economic activity can purportedly increase.
Some blue laws still remain active, mainly related to alcoholic beverage sales. Blue laws vary from state to state, and sometimes within a state between counties and municipalities.[2] For example, in Texas, state law prohibits beer and wine sales on Sundays before 10AM, and liquor sales in their entirety. (Texas also has a blue law pertaining to automobile sales: dealers can open on either Saturday or Sunday, but not both. The majority of dealers close on Sundays.)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Veith, Walter J. (April 24, 2010). Constantine and the Sabbath Change. Amazing Discoveries. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ↑ After the repeal of the 18th Amendment nationwide prohibition on the manufacture and distribution of liquor, the states and the people reserved to right to regulate liquor sales per the 10th Amendment. SCOTUS upheld the notion of community standards in the 1973 Miller v California ruling.
