quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady
I don't think that particular reporter's comment or others like it make it a civil rights issue, but that is simply my opinion. If I recall, there were many who didn't want to vote for Kennedy because he was Catholic. Many wouldn't vote for Romney because he was a Mormon. There have also been issues with voting for an unmarried president, Regan for being divorced, Clinton because he didn't serve in the military (not to mention the infamous "I didn't inhale" incident) People were pretty vocal about all of those things. Still, none of them were civil rights issues.

Kennedy and Romney were civil rights issues. That a signifcant percentage of Americans would not vote for someone due to their faith denies that faith group their right to fully participate in the political process. Just try thinking about whether it is a civil rights issue that some people wouldn't vote for Obama because he is black.

No, it isn't a civil rights issue, and neither was people not voting for Obama because he was black. They weren't prohibited from participating, they weren't prohibited from running, and THAT would have been a civil rights issue. Since two of the three won, obviously whatever those people thought didn't matter. As for the third, he lost not because of his religion but because of his and his party's own stupidity.

Who you choose to vote for is your personal choice. Some may not have voted for Romney because of his failure to want to recognize those who weren't wealthy. But regardless of their reasoning, those people chose who they wanted to vote for which is THEIR right in the process.

Again, just so you are clear on this, had Kennedy and Romney been prohibited from running because of their religion, or Obama because of his ethnicity, that WOULD have been a civil rights issue. Since they weren't, it wasn't.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Powergamz1

I think Got Steel may be onto something in that the image of menacing black men with weapons expanded the pool of stereotypes to the point where a nice black family next door was no longer the worst thing that some people could imagine.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaddySatyr

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

... Blue laws have been repealed nearly everywhere in the US, and those that remain are in place for convenience now, not religious reasons. But really, do you honestly find it discriminatory because you couldn't shop for a car on a Sunday (the only Blue Law left in NJ, but not in existence in PA where you live)? Are you discriminated against because you are forced to take one day off each week (most people expect the entire weekend)?...

You should re-check the Bergen County Blue Laws. It's more than just cars that can't be purchased.

The Bergen County Mall is essentially shutdown (I think the food court is still open) because most of the stores there don't sell "necessities". Bars don't open until 6PM on Sunday (If I remember, correctly) but, you can enjoy an adult libation at a restaurant, earlier. I like to go to a bar to watch a football game, occasionally.

There are other rules but they're easily found.

Peace and comfort,


Michael

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaddySatyr

"Yule" was taken over by the Church of Rome to "convert" the masses. There's evidence that Jesus was born in (what would be on our calendar) March, I believe.

Peace and comfort,

Michael

quote:

ORIGINAL: Powergamz1

Really? There is no place in either New Jersey or Pennsylvania that bans beer sales on Sunday? Blue laws had nothing to do with forcing moral doctrine on all, and were purely implemented to allow observance of the non-handling of money or performing of work from one sundown to the next on the scriptural Sabbath?

That's fantastic.

I like the version where blue laws ignored the Sabbath day of rest, and mandated a dry period where workers would be able to sober up before the work week began on Monday, better.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

quote:

ORIGINAL: Powergamz1

I think Got Steel may be onto something in that the image of menacing black men with weapons expanded the pool of stereotypes to the point where a nice black family next door was no longer the worst thing that some people could imagine.

Sure. It promoted the idea that the black family next door would shoot you. Good move. Think that had any "lasting" effects?

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Again, it isn't a slight against atheists. It's nice to try to try to make it one, but it isn't.

It's also "nice" that you would deprive those people of a guaranteed day off. Something that doesn't necessarily exist in retail or the bar business.

So forgive me if I have no real pity that you can't go watch a football game at the bar.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

quote:

ORIGINAL: Powergamz1

Really? There is no place in either New Jersey or Pennsylvania that bans beer sales on Sunday? Blue laws had nothing to do with forcing moral doctrine on all, and were purely implemented to allow observance of the non-handling of money or performing of work from one sundown to the next on the scriptural Sabbath?

That's fantastic.

I like the version where blue laws ignored the Sabbath day of rest, and mandated a dry period where workers would be able to sober up before the work week began on Monday, better.

Well, the whole handling of money thing would be Jewish scripture I believe, and their Sabbath is on Saturday.

Nice try.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Powergamz1

Nice derail from your claim which directly contradicts the state ABC "Municipalities can further limit these hours by ordinance or referendum, and frequently do so with respect to Sunday mornings."(NJ).

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

quote:

ORIGINAL: Powergamz1

Really? There is no place in either New Jersey or Pennsylvania that bans beer sales on Sunday? Blue laws had nothing to do with forcing moral doctrine on all, and were purely implemented to allow observance of the non-handling of money or performing of work from one sundown to the next on the scriptural Sabbath?

That's fantastic.

I like the version where blue laws ignored the Sabbath day of rest, and mandated a dry period where workers would be able to sober up before the work week began on Monday, better.

Well, the whole handling of money thing would be Jewish scripture I believe, and their Sabbath is on Saturday.

Nice try.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaddySatyr

I want neither your pity nor your sympathy. I was pointing out that there are other things that are affected.

quote:


Personally, I follow a "rule" of trying not to make un-necessary purchases on my sabbath but my beliefs define "un-necessary" as non-perishables.

The point is: blue laws are absolutely based in religious beliefs and, as a result, people that don't hold those beliefs are inconvenienced at best and possibly discriminated against at worst.

quote:


What about Jews; some of whom have rules about not even thinking about money or finance on Saturday (their sabbath) that need that Sunday off to be able to purchase goods and services that they want?

Can you find me a Walmart in Bergen County? Nope. Close by but not "in". Lowes? Home Depot?

What if an atheist only gets that precious day off on Sunday and wants to do some home maintanence? They need to drive to another county (Suffern, NY is actually closer to some) and are "forced" to spend more money in fuel costs. In the case of people in Mahwah, NJ; Suffern NY is closer but there's another 1% tax (which brings the government into religion, to an extent).

quote:


The laws originated to coincide with religious practice. There's no arguing it. As such, if they remain without being re-examined (put to a vote), they will continue to be discriminatory in nature to people who don't hold those same beliefs.

We agree why the laws originated. Most towns in NJ have abolished the majority of them. Your county hasn't. Seems more like an issue to take up with the county.

However, the whole claim of discrimination is far reaching and ridiculous enough to be laughable.

(in reply to DaddySatyr)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Since Civil Rights are set forth in a legal document, yes I do.

But why don't you provide me with YOUR definition of what it is, so I can know what you are actually trying to say?

My mind reading skills don't work over the internet, and frankly, I have never liked guessing games.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady



Still wrong. I was speaking directly of what YOU said. Check what I bolded. I was responding to that and only that.

For the record, I'm aware of no Christian doctrine about handling money on the day of Sabbath. It really wouldn't work well with the whole collection plate thing, you know?

quote:

ORIGINAL: cordeliasub

I hate blue laws and I'm Baptist lol. I think it's funny....like buying a bottle of wine on Saturday or Monday somehow makes it less sinful or something. Get trashed as long as the liquor wasn't bought on Sunday...

I hate it when I go to Wal mart on a Sunday afternoon hear and want to have wine with dinner that night....and then the cashier reminds me that they can't sell it.

Of course, compared to being fired, beaten up, etc - you know - REAL discrimination.....I'd have to be pretty whiny to get all bent out of shape because I had to wait 24 hours to buy some Merlot.

quote:

Do you understand the difference between discussing something and hurling insults? That is what butch is talking about. The atheists who are constantly whiny how Christians are condemning them and are so ignorant and living in some kind of fantasy world because they believe in God, taking something on faith alone. Yet, you don't see anyone of faith crying, "but you must believe or you are doomed to hell!" or any variations there of.

Yes, it is P&R, but that doesn't translate to, "Atheists, use this section to insult others and whine about how people hurt you because of your lack of faith in God."

quote:

ORIGINAL: cordeliasub

I am appalled that there are still cities (if you can call them that) where all the stores are closed on Sunday. I mean, I live in bubba central and we still have things open (like Wal mart, for example) on Sundays.

Yeah, that would get on my nerves, not because of religion, but just because it's damn annoying.