Consent #4 June-August 1988 |
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The position taken by the major churches supporting the Sunday closing laws is a matter of serious concern for us all. Considered objectively, this position is difficult to justify on either religious or humanitarian grounds.
The fourth Commandment, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy," is very specific. Each of us is directed individually to observe the sabbath. However, this does not give us any spiritual authority to compel others to observe it. That is something only they can decide.
The eighth and tenth Commandments ("Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours' goods") implicitly support the institution of private property. Sunday closing laws violate fundamental principles of private property rights. Certain retailers are being told that, every Sunday, they will not be permitted to exercise their right to the peaceful use of their own property. Consequently, if one is true to these Commandments one cannot support such legislation.
The coming of Christ foretold "Peace on earth and goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:l4). If we attempt to use the law to impose our values and choices upon others we are not observing a common pause day in the Christian sense. Many Muslim countries impose the same restrictions on Fridays. Would Christians appreciate living under such restrictions if they were in the minority? If not, then they "should do unto others as they would have others do unto them".
Christ directed his followers to "Render therefore unto Caesar those things that are Caesar's and to God those things that are God's "(Matthew 22:2l). If retailers close on Sunday only because the law compels them to, it is clear that they are rendering obedience only to the state (Caesar) and not necessarily to God. This is obviously contrary to Christ's teaching. Christians must not allow Caesar to rule the sabbath.
Incredibly, some clerics have even attempted to justify Sunday closing laws on the grounds that "Our governments exist to serve the wishes of their constituents." This line of reasoning is false and dangerous. Who were Pontius Pilate's "constituents"? What were their wishes in 33 AD?
But what about the Christian "tradition" of having the sabbath as a common day of rest?
It is not entirely correct to say that Sundays have "traditionally" been a common rest day. This has been a convenience enjoyed only by some segments of the retail industry. Employees of theatres, restaurants, gas stations, gardening centres, etc. are examples of those who have different traditions.
No one would be forced to open if the present law was repealed. The fact that someone's competition is open does not force him to open as well. Those retailers who don't want the law changed are unwilling to meet the demands of their customers. They recognize that this decision has a cost, but they want to make their neighbours and competitors share that cost. Stores that lose money on Sunday openings will simply stay closed.
No doubt there are many families (Christian and non-Christian alike) who prefer to spend Sunday as a day of rest. However, there are also families who like to shop together and families who like to work together. There are also families who depend on the income they earn on Sundays. Families, like individuals, have different needs, preferences, and lifestyles. Freedom of choice accommodates everyone, and true "obedience" to God is only realized when it is offered voluntarily.
Governments should exist to protect the natural rights of all, not to grant special privileges to favoured groups --- even Christians. If the church is to fulfill its role as an agency of good, it should not behave like just another special interest group. Such an image will alienate the public and thus impede the church's outreach efforts. The church should lead by example and moral suasion, not through legal coercion.
The Charter of Rights states that freedom of religion is a "fundamental freedom." The Retail Business Holidays Act flagrantly violates this freedom and discriminates against anyone --- Christian or non-Christian --- who does not worship on Sunday. Once each week, the law treats people like criminals for earning an honest living. This is a terrible injustice, but in December l986 the Supreme Court ruled that this violation is "reasonable and justifiable."
This means that freedom of religion is not an absolute right in Canada, but can be taken away from us whenever some politician can invent a justification for doing so. Any law that violates freedom of religion should be condemned in the strongest possible terms from every pulpit in the country.
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