Blue Laws
The term is American. I was exposed
to it circa 1959 in southern California after I was moved there. I liked being
able to shop on Sunday, at the time, which was new, and developing. When I got there, there was no shopping on Sunday.
The idea of blue laws is still alive
and well in many places and cultures and religions.
Basically, Sunday was a day of rest, a day of worship for those so
inclined, and a Family day for many people. Yep, the Family was a big deal back
then, and to many people. Even the day of worship varied, but all humans did
need time off from the daily routine
And Saturday was the usual day to get it
done after working all week (for most), going to school for children, etc.
Blue laws were a way to
"codify" it, like make it happen.
Cultures often do the same, too. Hence, examples of how to accommodate
it abound. For example, one better buy their food or liquor at least the day
before Sunday, because all the stores were closed on Sunday. And the intent was
to promote rest and a Family day, which is often not rest as most parents know,
but still different from a work day. The intent was not "negative",
but "positive".
Even where I live in East Tennessee
getting a flat tire fixed on Sunday is difficult at best in 2012. One better know one to get help in this
effort, or wait until Monday. Even
counting on stores to be open on Sunday is problematical at best. After all, it is
Sunday, and a "day off" from normal drudgery.
Now this idea is not just local to
east Tennessee, or even "blue laws" anywhere.
I hear in Oslo, Norway, much the
same happens. And even here in east
Tennessee, the Mennonite religion incorporates Sunday as a day off. So I
suspect it goes on in many places, but I just don't know because I have not
lived there.
So for our human future, always
remember to do what you can to promote Family, in your way and local and
culture.
In this idea I think is a best future for we
humans on the planet Earth.
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