The Blue Laws

[JacDarippa]

ATTENTION!!!

I can't express how much I am in problems because of this issue!!! I will officially be on from 11:55 to 12:25 AM in EST, so I hope you all are ready for a doozy... I will link websites frequently. Thank you for visiting my forum. Thank you.


Email me at neomopia@yahoo.com

[JacDarippa]

This is a preview of what the Supreme court's decision on the Blue Laws is...

blue laws, legislation regulating public and private conduct, especially laws relating to Sabbath observance. The term was originally applied to the 17th-century laws of the theocratic New Haven colony; they were called “blue laws” after the blue paper on which they were printed. New Haven and other Puritan colonies of New England had rigid laws prohibiting Sabbath breaking, breaches in family discipline, drunkenness, and excesses in dress. Although such legislation had its origins in European Sabbatarian and sumptuary laws, the term “blue laws” is usually applied only to American legislation. With the dissolution of the Puritan theocracies after the American Revolution, blue laws declined; many of them lay forgotten in state statute books only to be revived much later. The growth of the prohibition movement in the 19th cent. and early 20th cent. brought with it other laws regulating private conduct. Many states forbade the sale of cigarettes, and laws prohibited secular amusements as well as all unnecessary work on Sunday; provision was made for strict local censorship of books, plays, films and other means of instruction and entertainment. Although much of this legislation has been softened if not repealed, there are still many areas and communities in the United States, especially those where religious fundamentalism is strong, that retain blue laws. The Supreme Court has upheld Sunday closing laws ruling that such laws do not interfere with the free exercise of religion and do not constitute the establishment of a state religion.


-----------------------------------------What do you think of that?

[xexon]

I grew up in Alabama.

I know very well this thing called blue laws.

Didn't like them then either. As time goes on though, I see them fading away.

Thats a good thing.



x

[Blueangel]

I guess the equivalent here would be our pub licencing laws.
Last orders for a pub are half an hour earlier than usual.

How do blue laws directly affect you currently?

[Stormyone]

Blue laws are fast dying out.

When I moved to Texas in 79, there were few things that could be bought on Sundays. Most hardware stores closed, and a lot of other businesses had to cover certain sections of their stores on Sundays.

We still dont buy cars or bottles of Liquor on Sunday, but there isnt a lot else stll covered.

[bama47]

I don't think liquor should be sold on Sunday.

[Strel]

Originally posted by bama47
I don't think liquor should be sold on Sunday.

In other words, you think other people should have to obey your religion whether they like it or not.

:rolleyes:

Nobody makes you buy liquor on Sunday. Why do you think you have the right to keep other people from buying it?

Blue laws are an unconstitutional embarassment to the country.

[uglybastard]

There's nothing worse than going to the supermaket, puting your beer in the chart, going through checkout, only to have the checker tell you she can't sell you the beer because it is Sunday.

Everyone looks at you like you're some kind of alcoholic. :beer:

[xexon]

I've seen some grocery stores actually chain and padlock the beer coolers so that don't happen. :)


x

[JacDarippa]

There is no way the Blue Laws should be enforced, although the blue laws a re avery important step to getting rid of religious freedom, don't you think?

[JacDarippa]

Even if the Blue Laws were put into effect, many of the religioins we have today would be undone!!!

[ranger]

Originally posted by Strelnikov
In other words, you think other people should have to obey your religion whether they like it or not.

:rolleyes:

Nobody makes you buy liquor on Sunday. Why do you think you have the right to keep other people from buying it?

Blue laws are an unconstitutional embarassment to the country.

You would not allow a town to make the decision for themselves? I was of the understanding we let locals set their own community moral standards. If the state and federal constitution say nothing on the matter then it is left to the "PEOPLE"

[xexon]

But, what about individual choice ?

That too, is protected.


x

[Paladin]

My vote was the one and only undecided, because I am ---- well undecided.

Certainly allowing individual municipalities to set their own standards is constitutional and appropriate.

At the same time, just how much does the term "blue laws" include?

Just liquor and Sunday closing? That's ok for locals to decide.

More?
Well i don't know.

[JacDarippa]

Who then shall be able to stand up against thew Blue Laws if they are passed within the next century? I believe it will be a century too soon.

[JacDarippa]

Does anybody know who Demosthenes is?

[JacDarippa]

I'll be back on at 11:55 am GST - 5:00

[Strel]

Originally posted by ranger
You would not allow a town to make the decision for themselves? I was of the understanding we let locals set their own community moral standards. If the state and federal constitution say nothing on the matter then it is left to the "PEOPLE"

Yes, but only to the extent that such local choices comport with the Constitution. Local blue laws do not, or at least that's been the legal environment since the 10th Amendment was a casualty of the Civil War. The idea of "left to the people" is effectively dead where constitutional issues are at play (like religion), thanks to the 14th.

[JacDarippa]

I'm Back!!!

[EvilTwinFelicia]

Here in Colorado, the blue laws are strong. One can't buy liquor from a liquor store, or a car from a dealership on a Sunday here. The car law is positively stupid. To this day, I still don't understand how purchasing a car interferes with anyone's religion. If your religion forbids commerce on X day of the week, then it is up to you to uphold your religious laws.

If you want liquor on a Sunday, you would have to go to 7-11 or your local grocery store and buy the 3.2 beer. For those who have never heard of 3.2 beer, it is the reduced alcohol version of "regular" beer. If you want wine, a mixed drink, or grain alcohol on a Sunday, you must visit a bar or restaurant and consume your adult beverage there. Our local bowling alley is always bustling on Sundays.

America has gone from a society where the primary focus was Christianity. Now, we are a society of many different religions as well as cultures. Keeping blue laws around are totally useless at this point in our history.

[JacDarippa]

So, in other words, Felicia, you voted no, right?

[EvilTwinFelicia]

Originally posted by JacDarippa
So, in other words, Felicia, you voted no, right?

Indeed. I'm not much of a drinker, and I don't intend to buy a new car anytime soon-- so the laws as they stand right now in my home state really don't affect me. Yet, I see no reason why a person can't go to a liquor store on a Sunday, then to a car lot and spend some money.

[JD3]

Seems like an issue for individuals and individual businesses to me. I grew up Florida and Georgia, so I am familiar with blue laws. But I don't think the government should decide this. Let those who want to open open and those who don't don't have to. And let individual consumers decide if they want to buy anything.

Joe

[JacDarippa]

Of course, it might be, but The Blue Laws are more complex than that!

[EvilTwinFelicia]

Originally posted by JD3
Seems like an issue for individuals and individual businesses to me. I grew up Florida and Georgia, so I am familiar with blue laws. But I don't think the government should decide this. Let those who want to open open and those who don't don't have to. And let individual consumers decide if they want to buy anything.

Joe

Your statement makes sense. There are plenty of businesses who choose to do no business on Sundays (Hobby Lobby, Chick-Fil-A) and are still profitable. I agree with the concept the govn't shouldn't specifically require the closure of a particular business on a particular day-- based on old-fashioned Puritan laws. Plenty of Jewish people do no shopping on Saturdays, but would love to buy a car on Sundays.