Businesses being closed on Sunday is still the norm in many European countries, including those with low church attendance/affiliation. (Germany even has strict noise ordinances on Sunday!) I am very supportive of this overall, but ultimately this is a culturally driven situation. In the United States, our culture has become (or given way to) capitalism without regard for tradition or other priorities. It’s the only thing generally agreed upon by folks from widely diverse backgrounds that make up our population. As a result, the opportunity to make money, and the natural obligation for workers to be present, consumes a day traditionally set aside for family time and rest. I’m not sure how to change that situation given our religious and cultural diversity.
Interesting point. I know a lot of people put the US's economic success (but also idolatry) as a result of the "protestant work ethic" in the nation's DNA. If so, that's another proof of the idea that Christian ideas without Christian guardrails can go horribly awry.
Something has always not sat well for me knowing that I disagree with the folks who are working and missing services on Sunday, but I go and patronize their business, thus supporting their working instead of being at worship. That said, I've also rationalized: "Well, they aren't New Testament Christians anyways, so why does it matter?" But to push back against myself there: First of all, how do I know those folks aren't members of the Lord's church? And secondly, shouldn't my goal be that those folks BECOME members of the Lord's church if they're not? To be honest, (thinking out loud here, too), I think the church has gotten way too comfortable with working on Sundays, and thus, missing services.
In the first century, Sunday off wasn't an option for many, so, (according to my understanding), many times the church met of an evening. With that said, our culture today is different, and I too do my best to not shop, eat out or do anything that might keep others from attending worship services. Then, as you said, if they miss worship, it's not my fault.
When my oldest daughter was in college, she worked in a restaurant as a waitress or hostess sometimes working Sundays. The worst tippers she noticed were the ones from the local congregation including the preacher who was a frequent Sunday diner there. Just food for thought there, (pun intended)
One more example if I may. When I was a kid many years ago, there was a man my father kept trying to convince to come to church with us. The man insisted he needed to keep his store open on Sundays just in case someone needed something, (blue laws were in effect in the bigger towns, but not in our rural area). One Sunday, a bunch of our cows got out and were in the county road. Dad had to fix fence to keep them in - a true "ox in the ditch" situation. He discovered he was out of fence staples and went to the store to get some. The storeowner that Dad had been talking to started to hand them to him but took them back laughed and said, "Oh, I can't sell them to you, it's Sunday." Of course he did give them to Dad but my father said years later that he lost his chance to convert the man that day as the storekeeper never forgot him buying something that Sunday morning.
Jack, your thoughts and questions are things that I've pondered for a number of years. I suppose it is personal choice, however, and as far as worship services go, we as a family have always made it clear that worship must come first and we didn't miss it for other activities, events, gatherings, little league schedule or anything. We still did fun things after church. We focused on family time. Most businesses are open due to the almighty dollar, for any and everything. It's the way of the world.
It would be nice if our society would take a stand for time with God, though, wouldn't it?
Interesting article. I am seeing some of these changes. I like family living close and moving around isn’t always a good idea (just my opinion). I saw some women on FOX News Channel talking about large families. I haven’t really thought about it but the Bible does say children are a gift from God. Maybe better values in our society are on the horizon. I’m not sure how a young family can afford very many children with the economy the way it is.
This is a difficult predicament. I remember, as a young man, businesses were closed on Sunday. We often went to visit family and had to make sure the gas tank was full on Saturday, because you weren’t getting gas in Sunday. Most retail establishments were closed, however, most restaurants were open. I have also thought of this from the viewpoint of the Jews, in their minds shouldn’t businesses be closed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday? That would put your businesses closed Saturday and Sunday.
As stated, Sunday is not the Christian Sabbath, it is the Lord’s Day. It is a day to worship. I too am thinking out loud and rambling in my thoughts as I write this, mostly because it is a challenge to me. Many congregations still have two services on Sunday and the work shift normally allows for attendance at one or the other. No matter what, it is nearly impossible to run it back to the way it was. Sorry for rambling.
I think our Catholic friends make a special exception for nourishment, and most everyone makes exceptions for travel, which seems to exempt travel-related businesses (“Sorry, the air-traffic controllers went home at midnight. Just look for a clear runway and don’t hit another plane. This has been a recording”) like fuel stops on major roads.
I’m not strict on the point, but I lean your way on at least two counts: first, closed businesses allow employees to attend church (by the way, I’d be fine with a standard 40-hour week of four 10-hour days, Muslims, Jews and Christians all get their day off).
Second, closed businesses remind everyone that Sunday is special. If it is argued that we’re just culturally past that point, and are now in Aaron Renn’s “Negative World,” where Christianity is a social demerit, well, every business that still closes is a reminder of our civilization’s past Christian heritage. So I would want, without coercion, just a set of habits, to re-sacralize the day, if only in people’s minds. What grates is the long lines assembling at places like Home Depot because everyone is going to be roofing or hammering like it was Tuesday.
PS I keep thinking of a comedy skit in which militant atheists buy Chick-Fil-A sauces at the grocery store on Sunday just to be transgressive
Businesses being closed on Sunday is still the norm in many European countries, including those with low church attendance/affiliation. (Germany even has strict noise ordinances on Sunday!) I am very supportive of this overall, but ultimately this is a culturally driven situation. In the United States, our culture has become (or given way to) capitalism without regard for tradition or other priorities. It’s the only thing generally agreed upon by folks from widely diverse backgrounds that make up our population. As a result, the opportunity to make money, and the natural obligation for workers to be present, consumes a day traditionally set aside for family time and rest. I’m not sure how to change that situation given our religious and cultural diversity.
Interesting point. I know a lot of people put the US's economic success (but also idolatry) as a result of the "protestant work ethic" in the nation's DNA. If so, that's another proof of the idea that Christian ideas without Christian guardrails can go horribly awry.
You are making me think! (And that's a good thing!)
Why can't they just open at noon? That solves it. 😁
Except for many workers, they have to come in much earlier than opening time.
Something has always not sat well for me knowing that I disagree with the folks who are working and missing services on Sunday, but I go and patronize their business, thus supporting their working instead of being at worship. That said, I've also rationalized: "Well, they aren't New Testament Christians anyways, so why does it matter?" But to push back against myself there: First of all, how do I know those folks aren't members of the Lord's church? And secondly, shouldn't my goal be that those folks BECOME members of the Lord's church if they're not? To be honest, (thinking out loud here, too), I think the church has gotten way too comfortable with working on Sundays, and thus, missing services.
In the first century, Sunday off wasn't an option for many, so, (according to my understanding), many times the church met of an evening. With that said, our culture today is different, and I too do my best to not shop, eat out or do anything that might keep others from attending worship services. Then, as you said, if they miss worship, it's not my fault.
When my oldest daughter was in college, she worked in a restaurant as a waitress or hostess sometimes working Sundays. The worst tippers she noticed were the ones from the local congregation including the preacher who was a frequent Sunday diner there. Just food for thought there, (pun intended)
One more example if I may. When I was a kid many years ago, there was a man my father kept trying to convince to come to church with us. The man insisted he needed to keep his store open on Sundays just in case someone needed something, (blue laws were in effect in the bigger towns, but not in our rural area). One Sunday, a bunch of our cows got out and were in the county road. Dad had to fix fence to keep them in - a true "ox in the ditch" situation. He discovered he was out of fence staples and went to the store to get some. The storeowner that Dad had been talking to started to hand them to him but took them back laughed and said, "Oh, I can't sell them to you, it's Sunday." Of course he did give them to Dad but my father said years later that he lost his chance to convert the man that day as the storekeeper never forgot him buying something that Sunday morning.
Jack, your thoughts and questions are things that I've pondered for a number of years. I suppose it is personal choice, however, and as far as worship services go, we as a family have always made it clear that worship must come first and we didn't miss it for other activities, events, gatherings, little league schedule or anything. We still did fun things after church. We focused on family time. Most businesses are open due to the almighty dollar, for any and everything. It's the way of the world.
It would be nice if our society would take a stand for time with God, though, wouldn't it?
Interesting article. I am seeing some of these changes. I like family living close and moving around isn’t always a good idea (just my opinion). I saw some women on FOX News Channel talking about large families. I haven’t really thought about it but the Bible does say children are a gift from God. Maybe better values in our society are on the horizon. I’m not sure how a young family can afford very many children with the economy the way it is.
This is a difficult predicament. I remember, as a young man, businesses were closed on Sunday. We often went to visit family and had to make sure the gas tank was full on Saturday, because you weren’t getting gas in Sunday. Most retail establishments were closed, however, most restaurants were open. I have also thought of this from the viewpoint of the Jews, in their minds shouldn’t businesses be closed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday? That would put your businesses closed Saturday and Sunday.
As stated, Sunday is not the Christian Sabbath, it is the Lord’s Day. It is a day to worship. I too am thinking out loud and rambling in my thoughts as I write this, mostly because it is a challenge to me. Many congregations still have two services on Sunday and the work shift normally allows for attendance at one or the other. No matter what, it is nearly impossible to run it back to the way it was. Sorry for rambling.
I think our Catholic friends make a special exception for nourishment, and most everyone makes exceptions for travel, which seems to exempt travel-related businesses (“Sorry, the air-traffic controllers went home at midnight. Just look for a clear runway and don’t hit another plane. This has been a recording”) like fuel stops on major roads.
I’m not strict on the point, but I lean your way on at least two counts: first, closed businesses allow employees to attend church (by the way, I’d be fine with a standard 40-hour week of four 10-hour days, Muslims, Jews and Christians all get their day off).
Second, closed businesses remind everyone that Sunday is special. If it is argued that we’re just culturally past that point, and are now in Aaron Renn’s “Negative World,” where Christianity is a social demerit, well, every business that still closes is a reminder of our civilization’s past Christian heritage. So I would want, without coercion, just a set of habits, to re-sacralize the day, if only in people’s minds. What grates is the long lines assembling at places like Home Depot because everyone is going to be roofing or hammering like it was Tuesday.
PS I keep thinking of a comedy skit in which militant atheists buy Chick-Fil-A sauces at the grocery store on Sunday just to be transgressive
So what about hospitals? Police? Fire?
Or shift workers? Or people at sea?
Or the history of the early church, with members who were slaves and therefore not masters of their time?
Please revisit (or visit, if you haven't read the piece) #3 on the 3 questions at the beginning.