Between its inception in 1775 and 1912, postal employees delivered mail seven (7) days a week. In the early 1800s, religious leaders became concerned that employees were forced to work on the “Christian Sabbath,” or Sunday, and began to petition Congress to use its Article I powers to disallow Sunday delivery. This concern reached a fevered pitch in 1810 when Congress required post offices to open at least one hour on Sunday. Outraged that Congress had thus enforced Sunday desecration, religious leaders began to clamor for legislation that would outlaw Sunday operations.
Category: Legal Issues
OPINION: The Good Old Days? Not Quite
By Brent Buttler – In these days in which people’s rights seem up for grabs there is a tendency to wish we could go back to the good old days when people had more freedom to live as they chose to live. However, upon further research I have discovered that people’s freedoms have been eroding…
Virginia Board Votes Against Proposed Same-Sex Adoption Rules (Washington Post)
EXCERPT: The Virgina State Board of Social Services has voted overwhelmingly against new adoption rules that some say would allow same-sex couples to adopt in the state for the first time. In a 7-2 vote Wednesday afternoon, the board opted against the new rules, first proposed by former governor Tim Kaine. In Virginia, only married…
National : Church/State concerns kill House “Bible Bill”; Seventh-day Adventists respond
http://m.examiner.com/examiner/pm_60915/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=nQD8Kjnh
The Oath Dilemma — Special Contribution to RLTV
“Oh Dave, don’t forget, your oath is today at 9:15.” The words snap my groggy mind to attention. Oath? My boss continues. “Yeah, it will be on the fourth floor, in the administrative offices. It shouldn’t be a problem.” It shouldn’t be a problem. Is that a threat? It shouldn’t be a problem if you…
Polygamy law doesn’t breach religious freedom guarantee, lawyer argues – Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Polygamy+doesn+breach+religious+freedom+guarantee+lawyer+argues/4544448/story.html
European Court OKs display of crucifixes in Italian classrooms – Adventist News Network
http://news.adventist.org/2011/03/european-court-oks-d.html
Justice Department sues on behalf of Muslim teacher, triggering debate – The Washington Post
Do religious accommodation requirements cover a 3 week trip to Mecca? http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/justice-department-sues-on-behalf-of-muslim-teacher-triggering-debate/2010/07/28/ABfSPtEB_story.html
Lawyer says right to religious liberty protects Amish sect’s refusal to use safety triangles on buggies | The Courier-Journal | courier-journal.com
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110324/NEWS01/303240057/1008/NEWS01/Lawyer-says-right-religious-liberty-protects-Amish-sect-s-refusal-use-safety-triangles-buggies
Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty – Supreme Court to Hear Religious Hiring Case
This case involving the ministerial exemotion from employment discrimination statutes could have huge implications for churches and denominations.