Do you think some folks have a point when they say religion is gone

[napi21]

from our dominant way of life? THE REASON I ask, is that when I was younger, stores weren't allowed to be open on Sundays, then they started what they called blue laws, which permitted stores to open on Sundays, but only after noon.

Now, we have 24 hours a day monsters, some who are open 365 days a year!

I never agree with the freepers, but on this particular issue, capitalism really has taken over.

Sure, the old laws were supposed to be so all people could attend church services on Sunday and spend time with their famiy. Even if you did nothing but have the day off, it was nice thing, and nobody reallly suffered because they couldn't shop on Sunday either.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I agree with your post

Sundays were a special day, because it was different. But even back then, restaurants and movie theaters were open.

What I see as happening is not so much a moving away from religion as a moving away from spirituality, which is not exactly the same thing. I can only speak for myself, but I found that neither church nor shopping seemed to satisfy the longing in my heart. I found my answers (which are still unfolding) through spirituality.

[napi21]

2. You're right about the restaurants and movies, but I think

the gov't removed all the controls on business, just so they could get every last dollar possible! I doubt there were many businesses who stayed closed on Sunday because of some spiritual influence!

I don't remember when this changed, or if it can be tied to any particular party. My husband works in retail, and it still really pi**es him off when he has to work almost every Sunday!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. it is sad

But there are some stores that still close on Sunday (mom and pop local stores), and one of our local health food stores, frequented by Seventh Day Adventists, also closes on Saturday. Chic Fil A is the only chain I know that is closed on Sunday.

[elliek]

4. Viewpoint from someone who practices a *different* religion....

First let me say hello to everyone at DU. I've been a lurker for awhile now, but this topic inspired me to actually sign up and respond.

Second, let me emphasize that this is all my opinion, and I certainly do not mean to offend anyone here.

I don't practice Christianity, and I think that the real question here is "Do you think some folks have a point when they say Christianity is gone." My answer to that would be, NO. Christianity specifically, Fundamentalist Christinaity, is on the rise. And not just in the Southeast (where I am from), but from the Northwest and of course in DC. You can't so much as open a newspaper without reading how Fundamentalist Christians are influencing legislation and trying to control the social make-up of the USA.

Has Capitalism taken over and made money sacred? As an avowed Socialist, I have to say...YES. But who are the ones promoting this? Fundamentalist Christians (Bush, Falwell, Robertson, et.al.). However, there are still Blue Laws (here in Georgia, you can't goto the store and buy a 6-pack, but you can goto a bar, get smashed, and drive home....go figure). The name escapes me now, but there is a national fast food restauruant that won't open on Sundays because it is a Christian company.

On the other hand, most businesses are closed on major Christian holidays. Smyrna, Georgia has a city ordinance that stores are not allowed to be open on Easter and Christmas (and I'm sure that is not the only city).

IMNSHO, it is good that Christianity (or any other religion) no longer dictates when and where I can go on their holy day. However, people need time off and the government does need to step in and require employers: 1) pay their employees a living wage and 2) guarantee time off every week and vacation time. If someone wants to take time off for religious purposes, they should be allowed to without penalty or threat of losing their job. Not a problem for Christians, but just try asking your boss for a Wednesday off to celebrate the Full Moon or to make some accomidations so that you can wear your head scarf and see where that gets you.

[donco6]

6. Welcome, elliek, and let's hear more from you.

good post.

[elliek]

10. Thank You!

I should warn you, however, I am a blabber-mouth, so you might just regret that "let's hear more from you" comment. :)

[Bluebear]

8. Great having you here & please keep contributing

Your voice is an important one.

[elliek]

11. Thank you.

It's nice to be at a place where you can rant and rave, and while people may not agree with your opinions 100%, they respect the fact that you have them.

[Jawja]

13. Hi, elliek!

Great post! Glad to see a "neighbor" on board.

:hi:

[newyawker99]

15. Hi elliek!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[gpandas]

5. restraint of trade for religious...

reasons is illegal in this country.

[bush_is_wacko]

7. I actually don't think it was ever about religion

I think they slowly conspired to turn people away from their family and friends in order to keep them too busy to think about what was going on around them. In other words... a big distraction from reality. That way there is no time to think about what THEY are doing around the world.

[Bluebear]

9. I think the old laws served to let people sleep it off Sunday morning

after their big Saturday night drunks. Or maybe that was just my neighborhood.

[carpetbagger]

12. Secular Canadians jealously guard their blue laws.

Here, our religious leaders* have boiled down Christian teaching to a treatise on sexual ethics and flag-waving, while demonstrating (at least on the protestant end) how to worship both "god" and mammon at the same time. It would do no good whatsoever to get them in the mix.

*Here I'm excluding the leaders of the religious left, who are in general irrelevent academics who depend entirely on writing and going on book tours to play to a small audience, while ignoring completely the need to grow progressive Christian churches, support progressive preachers, and to create viable progressive Christian media outlets.

[NorCalDem]

14. Remember when 7-11's

were really only open from 7 to 11? Same idea, bad example :D

[napi21]

16. Yea I do. IS 7-11 still a viable company?

I worked with a guy who was their director of security, a LONG time ago. He had nothing but good things to say about them.