The Kingdom Come

In states and cities all over America and Canada from the early 1960s back most businesses were closed on Sundays. This mindset stems from what has been called "The Blue Laws". These laws were enacted to respect what is often considered the Christian Sabbath; doing no work on Sunday, a day of rest. It is meant for a time of reflection, worship, rejuvenation. The Sabbath was given to humanity as a gift from God, otherwise corrupt men would work people on every day until they die. It was never meant to be a restriction but as a freedom from a life of otherwise constant labor. As Jesus said:

"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." -- Mark 2:27a

Meaning, instead of God meaning to restrict man from doing this or that activity, it was meant to be a time of refreshing (Acts 3:19).

The Blue Laws manifested themselves at first as businesses being closed but what remains of these Blue Laws in most states is that on Sunday's alcohol is not allowed to be sold at stores but can still be sold and consumed at restaurants and places that also serve food. Further, many states do not allow high-dollar sales such as car dealerships to operate on Sundays.

To the non-Christian, these laws must seem antiquated and without merit. Many states and municipalities are working on repealing the last of the Blue Laws.

Recently, this discussion came up on a local radio station. I called in to comment. My comments went something like this:

"As a Christian, I understand the concept behind these laws but I also appreciate consistency in our rule of law. But repealing these laws show a more significant change in our American mindset as the last vestiges of Christian influenced laws are removed from society. What other laws will we need to repeal? Think for example of the issue of "Gay Marriage", which opposition to it is almost totally based on some moral standard, whether Christian or not. If our laws aren't going to be based on some sort of Christian foundation and are merely going to be based on consistency and supposed "fairness" to all segments of society, we must consider the ramifications. What about laws as simple as the restriction of women going topless. Not that I'm advocating it, but if all moral foundation is removed, and we truly institute an egalitarian rule of law; then it is inconsistent to allow men to go topless and yet restrict women. Further, what about the inconsistency that forces me to wear a seat-belt to protect my own life against my own concern yet we allow women to terminate their unborn babies?"

The radio host spoke of the "development" of our laws. I questioned whether it was development or degradation. At any rate, as the Blue Laws die, and whether or not we believe they were ever rightly imposed it says more about our "postmodernist" mindset. We should expect more challenges to other laws. I mean, if there is no religious or moral basis behind our laws anymore, then "logically" why do we restrict people of the same gender from "marrying"? Why do we even restrict bestiality for that matter? Where does it end?

The Death of the Blue Laws marks the final changing point in American jurisprudence. The "laws" we have will be based on nothing but the latest societal "tolerance". We will move from a contestable Bible-based law system to a completely opinion-based system that really can't be consistently challenged because it will be in constant fluctuation.