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https://adventmessenger.org/national-u-s-survey-ranks-neighborhoods-that-have-the-best-sunday-rest-and-leisure/

Quoted article below from link above.

QuoteNational U.S. Survey Ranks Neighborhoods that have the Best Sunday Rest and Leisure

Why are national surveys now ranking neighborhoods according to their "Sunday leisure" experience? Why are media outlets normalizing the idea that entire communities should slow down on Sunday? Why is there increasing cultural emphasis on creating "perfect Sunday" environments? Simply put, America is being psychologically and culturally conditioned to embrace the idea of Sunday as the special day for rest, worship, and renewal.

On May 26, 2026, WFTV 9 in Orlando praised the fact that three Florida neighborhoods have been "nationally recognized" as places where the "perfect slow Sunday" has been achieved. This national survey is normalizing—by the very questions it is asking—the idea that Sunday should function as the universally recognized day for rest and leisure.

News Channel 9 in Orlando reported the following:

• "Three Florida neighborhoods have earned national recognition as ideal places to unwind and enjoy a leisurely Sunday."

• "A recent survey from Calgary.com ranked neighborhoods across the U.S. based on qualities people associate with a perfect 'slow Sunday,' such as walkable streets, local coffee shops, quiet surroundings, bookstores, brunch spots, and outdoor spaces."

• "Old Northeast ranked the highest among Florida neighborhoods at number 11 nationally. The St. Petersburg area was praised for its brick streets, waterfront paths, banyan trees, and neighborhood cafés that invite people to spend time outdoors."

• "Seminole Heights in Tampa secured the 12th spot, with the survey highlighting its historic bungalows, independent coffee shops, shaded streets, and local restaurants that create a laid-back, creative atmosphere."

• "College Park in Orlando came in at number 73 nationwide. Researchers noted its lakeside walks, sidewalk cafés, bookstores, and farmers markets as reasons it stands out from the busier parts of Central Florida."

• "Top activities people associate with a perfect Sunday include relaxing at home, enjoying coffee outdoors, and strolling through peaceful neighborhoods."

Public opinion must first be shaped, and people must first be taught to associate Sunday with rest, worship, leisure, peace, and family stability before the day can be enforced and imposed by law. Once a culture embraces the Sunday rest concept, political and religious leaders can more easily argue that laws are needed to protect, preserve, and promote it for the benefit of society.

Sunday rest has become increasingly central as corporations, religious leaders, environmental advocates, politicians, and media commentators continue converging around the same theme of a synchronized day of rest. The final test will center upon whether people will follow the commandments of God or substitute human tradition in place of divine authority. The growing glorification of Sunday culture across America should be watched carefully in light of prophecy, because public opinion is often prepared long before laws are enacted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuEiwXW_bQ4

I'm putting the above link to very interesting video here, and on the Internet Censorship topic which I have not addressed in quite some time, because it is pertinent to both topics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiZGlyqk5Fg

Another good video from Scriptures Illustrator.

Quote from: Amo on Sat Mar 07, 2026 - 10:24:39I have not forgotten anything, as I have already stated that the seventh day Sabbath of God has even more significance and importance for fallen humanity in particular, than it had when established for the perfection of God's creation. I just do not negate either by the other. The seventh day Sabbath of God has not become a shadow, because it now represents a new creation for those who will once again choose to rest in God's grace and mercy. His grace and mercy have always been the traits of His character, which have become more crucial to the believer since our fall. As likewise His seventh day Sabbath therefore has also become more crucial to our experience. See post #7 at the link below.

https://www.gracecentered.com/christian_forums/index.php?topic=113707.0

Amo,

Is the shadow more important than the eternal rest to which it points?

The ceremonial signs were given as teaching tools, but the substance is Christ and the rest found in Him.

Hebrews 4:9-10 speaks of a rest that remains for the people of God, a rest entered by faith.

We should be careful not to elevate the sign above the reality it was designed to reveal.

Consider Aaron's two sons. They offered strange fire of their own devising before the Lord. The lesson is that God's worship is not improved by human additions or substitutions.

The shadow has value because it points to the eternal. But once the meaning is understood, our confidence rests in God's grace and mercy, not in the shadow itself.

The Sabbath, like many biblical signs, can teach us about the greater rest found in God's finished work. The question is not whether the sign is useful, but whether we have entered the rest to which it bears witness.

Quote from: garee on Sat Jun 06, 2026 - 16:42:24Amo,

Is the shadow more important than the eternal rest to which it points?

The ceremonial signs were given as teaching tools, but the substance is Christ and the rest found in Him.

Hebrews 4:9-10 speaks of a rest that remains for the people of God, a rest entered by faith.

We should be careful not to elevate the sign above the reality it was designed to reveal.

Consider Aaron's two sons. They offered strange fire of their own devising before the Lord. The lesson is that God's worship is not improved by human additions or substitutions.

The shadow has value because it points to the eternal. But once the meaning is understood, our confidence rests in God's grace and mercy, not in the shadow itself.

The Sabbath, like many biblical signs, can teach us about the greater rest found in God's finished work. The question is not whether the sign is useful, but whether we have entered the rest to which it bears witness.

You confuse shadows and parables with straight forward testimony, and seem to be somewhat confused altogether. You said -

QuoteConsider Aaron's two sons. They offered strange fire of their own devising before the Lord. The lesson is that God's worship is not improved by human additions or substitutions.

You just stated the exact problem being addressed on this topic, while apparently arguing against the same. You admit of it concerning God's instructions via the hand of Moses concerning ceremonial laws, but deny it regarding this issue concerning a direct commandment of God. Spoken by his own mouth to the entire nation of Israel in the most awesome display of his power and literal presence on earth to date, and written with his own finger in tables of stone twice. Concerning His Sabbath which as I have already stated is not a shadow of anything but actual substance existing in the sinless world before the fall, where no shadows were needed, and to be observed by the saved in heaven, as Holy Scripture testifies. The keeping of God's commandments being a sign of God's true followers right up to the last book and chapter of the Holy Scriptures.

Men have taught and do seek to replace a commandment of God, with a commandment and tradition of men. Yet you choose to turn a blind eye to the very sin you just pointed out yourself, in your above testimony. Go to, step back, take a breath, and see for yourself, that you have just presented my very own argument as your own. While you refuse to see it as applicable to the issue at hand regarding this very topic.

Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mrk 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbMJb-1MKB0

Good video by Heritage & Hope Ministries, regarding Romanism in America, and Sunday laws of course.

https://adventmessenger.org/roman-catholics-renew-the-call-for-legally-protected-sunday-rest/

Quoted article below from link above.

QuoteRoman Catholics Renew the Call for Legally Protected Sunday Rest

Südtirol News, a German-language news outlet, published an article on July 8, 2026, titled "Sunday Must Be a Day of Rest for Families," reporting on how the Catholic Workers' Association (KVW) is advocating for the preservation of Sunday as a legally protected day of rest in the interest of family life, workers' rights, health, and social relationships.

For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has promoted Sunday not only as the day for Eucharistic worship but also as a "common good" that serves society. Although today's arguments for Sunday rest laws are given in humanitarian terms, the main objective remains the same: preserve and protect Sunday through civil legislation.

Südtirol News reported the following in its article:

• "The Social Centre wing of the South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP) strongly advocates maintaining Sunday trading restrictions. A recently published survey by the Institute for the Promotion of Labour (AFI) impressively confirms that the vast majority of South Tyroleans do not want shops to be generally open on Sundays."

• "The Catholic Workers' Association (KVW) has also commented."

• "KVW Chairman Werner Steiner expressed ... '[color=red]Sunday and public holiday rest must be preserved.' He argues that it serves to protect employees, promotes health, and creates time for family and social relationships. The KVW Women's Association has been advocating the same position for years.[/color]"

• "Sunday is the battery for the whole week,' emphasizes Heidrun Goller, chairwoman of the KVW women's association. Especially in times of increasing stress, regular periods of rest are essential. Shopping can easily be done on the other six weekdays. Therefore, Sunday should remain a protected day of rest for employees wherever possible."

• "Work deserves our appreciation, but so do breaks! A free Sunday strengthens families and society. Let's continue to work to ensure this remains the case!' concluded Werner Steiner."

Every movement encouraging governments to protect Sunday through legislation reflects Rome's long-standing vision that civil authorities should recognize and safeguard Sunday as the common day of rest. Sunday continues to occupy a unique place in public policy discussions, and wherever efforts arise to give it special legal protection, Catholic leaders and Catholic labor organizations are always among those advocating for its preservation as the weekly day of rest.

History repeatedly demonstrates that when governments begin favoring certain popular religious observances, the rights of minorities always come under pressure. For this reason, Seventh-day Adventists have a responsibility to educate people about both the biblical seventh-day Sabbath and the God-given principle of liberty of conscience. The best way to protect everyone's religious freedom is for government to stay out of religious matters all together and never use civil law to require the observance of any holy day. In this way, every person is free to worship God without government interference as foretold in Revelation 13.

Quote from: Amo on Fri Jul 17, 2026 - 07:47:56https://adventmessenger.org/roman-catholics-renew-the-call-for-legally-protected-sunday-rest/

Quoted article below from link above.

I think you're mixing two different categories: the historical demonstration and the gospel it demonstrates.

The historical events are real. I do not deny them. But God used those historical events—including the ceremonial laws—as parables that testify beforehand of Christ.

Peter explains it this way:

"The Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." (1 Peter 1:11)

The prophets were not merely recording history. By the Spirit of Christ they were signifying—using historical demonstrations to reveal the unseen gospel.

Paul gives us the rule for interpreting them:

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

The temporal, historical things are the visible demonstrations. The eternal realities they reveal are the substance of the gospel.

That is exactly why Hebrews says:

"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them..." (Hebrews 4:2)

The gospel was preached to Israel long before Calvary—not because they understood it naturally, but because God hid it within the historical demonstrations, ceremonies, and prophecies. Many heard the history but missed the gospel because it was "not mixed with faith."

So I am not changing the history. I am saying the history was designed by God to point beyond itself. The historical demonstration remains exactly as written; faith sees the eternal reality it signifies.

In that way the gospel understanding enriches the historical record without altering it. The visible testifies to the invisible. The temporal points to the eternal. That is how the Spirit of Christ preached the gospel beforehand.

In that way we know that when the Son of man Jesus came he taught men how to rightly divide the parables the signified tongue of Christ

Luke 18:8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Again no change in the historical the fear of many

QuoteThe gospel was preached to Israel long before Calvary—not because they understood it naturally, but because God hid it within the historical demonstrations, ceremonies, and prophecies. Many heard the history but missed the gospel because it was "not mixed with faith."

Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

What does the preaching of the gospel have to do with hiding gospel truth? They lost sight of gospel truth because of a lack of faith, God did not hide it from them. They simply were not interested enough to maintain a saving knowledge of the truth. Just as most people today are not either. Occupied and or overwhelmed by the cares of this world.

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Quote from: Amo on Sun Jul 19, 2026 - 11:14:28Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

What does the preaching of the gospel have to do with hiding gospel truth? They lost sight of gospel truth because of a lack of faith, God did not hide it from them. They simply were not interested enough to maintain a saving knowledge of the truth. Just as most people today are not either. Occupied and or overwhelmed by the cares of this world.

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The preaching of the gospel does have everything to do with the understanding of the gospel parables . Hebrews 4:2 says the word preached did not profit them because it was "not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."

The question is, how is it mixed with faith?

Paul gives the pattern in 2 Corinthians 4:18. The temporal things that are seen must be understood in light of the eternal things that are unseen. The historical events are real, but they also testify of the invisible work of Christ. This is the "mixing" by which faith receives the gospel.

That is why Scripture repeatedly says Christ taught in parables.

"Without a parable spake he not unto them..." (Matthew 13:34)

A parable joins the visible with the invisible. Those who hear only the earthly story remain with the history alone. Those to whom God gives understanding see the spiritual testimony concerning Christ.

The purpose was never to hide the truth from those who believed, but to keep the gospel's spiritual meaning hidden from the unbelieving world and from Satan, the father of lies, while revealing it to those who heard with faith (Matthew 13:10-17; 1 Corinthians 2:7-14).

The disciples themselves often failed to understand at first. More than once they misunderstood Christ's words because they interpreted them according to the flesh instead of the Spirit. Even after hearing many parables, they still required the Lord to open their understanding.

So I agree that they lost sight of gospel truth because of unbelief. But that unbelief was shown by their inability to receive the spiritual meaning hidden within the parables. Without Christ opening their understanding, the outward history remained only history.

The same danger exists today. Many know the Bible's historical events yet never come to the spiritual understanding that points to Christ. As Hebrews 4:2 says, the word preached profits only when it is mixed with faith.

 

Mat 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

These parables were given at a certain time to a certain gathering of people, that a certain prophecy might be fulfilled. Which may be applicable when Christ used parables at other times as well. Nevertheless, the parables were explained to the Apostles and written for  all of us to understand if we so desire, in the New Testament scriptures. The gospel of Jesus Christ does not come to us or any in parables alone. To the contrary, it was and is intended to be given to the world in no uncertain manner, but rather in very clear and concise convicting power unto the salvation of as many as possible. The Holy Scriptures are filled with examples of very simple, clear, and concise truths revealing the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Jhn 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Jhn 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Jhn 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Quote from: Amo on Fri Jul 24, 2026 - 11:52:46Mat 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

These parables were given at a certain time to a certain gathering of people, that a certain prophecy might be fulfilled. Which may be applicable when Christ used parables at other times as well. Nevertheless, the parables were explained to the Apostles and written for  all of us to understand if we so desire, in the New Testament scriptures. The gospel of Jesus Christ does not come to us or any in parables alone. To the contrary, it was and is intended to be given to the world in no uncertain manner, but rather in very clear and concise convicting power unto the salvation of as many as possible. The Holy Scriptures are filled with examples of very simple, clear, and concise truths revealing the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Jhn 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Jhn 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Jhn 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

It would seem that without even one parables—comparing the temporal, historical creation to the unseen, eternal realities—Christ spoke not to the multitude.

The Bible itself uses signs and figures to reveal the invisible through the visible. As Revelation 1:1 says, it was "signified." From the beginning, God's invisible power was revealed through visible creation: "Let there be..." and "it was good."

Parables do not change history; they enrich it. They take historical events and reveal the eternal wisdom hidden within them. Like honey, they bring sweetness and understanding to the soul.

Proverbs 24:13–14 (KJV):

"My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off."

Honey itself becomes a living metaphor for the sweetness of God's wisdom.

That same metaphor appears in another historical account.

1 Samuel 14:27–29 (KJV):

"Jonathan... dipped the end of the rod that was in his hand in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened... See, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey."

The historical event remains true, yet it also illustrates a spiritual reality. Just as a little honey enlightened Jonathan's eyes, a taste of God's wisdom enlightens the understanding.

The account continues:

1 Samuel 14:43 (KJV):

"I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die."

The history is not replaced by the parable; it is enriched by it. Throughout Scripture, God uses visible things to teach invisible truths. Christ fulfilled this pattern, for "without a parable spake he not unto them" (Matthew 13:34). The historical events remain true, while the hidden wisdom—the "honey"—is discovered by those who search the Scriptures.

The gospel is proclaimed plainly enough to be believed, yet its deeper riches are revealed through God's own comparisons of the seen with the unseen. As Paul wrote:

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

The literal and the spiritual are not enemies. The historical account is the vessel; the parable reveals the eternal wisdom it contains.

https://www.freethoughttoday.com/articles/vol-41-no-09-november-2024/annie-laurie-gaylor-project-2025-wants-to-bring-back-blue-laws/

Quoted article below from link above. The view of blue laws, and the dangers of Project 2025, by an apparent non believer.

QuoteAnnie Laurie Gaylor: Project 2025 wants to bring back 'blue laws'

By Annie Laurie Gaylor

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." — Exodus 20:8–11

Sunday used to be the dreariest day of the week. Ask me.

I was a child in the 1960s when "blue laws" made everyone blue. I remember, especially in the coldest days of winter, feeling like I was under house arrest on Sundays. Now the creators of scary Project 2025 want to close down Sundays again, and America should be forewarned and refuse.

Blue laws started to be repealed by the 1970s, and life opened up. Sunday went from a day where the only thing we children could look forward to was the "Wonderful World of Disney" on TV that night to a second day of the "weekend." More importantly, working folk didn't have to do all their grocery shopping, errands, prescription-filling or couch-hunting over one very busy Saturday — also the only day they could take school-aged children out for ice cream, amusement rides or to buy new shoes. Americans could now run errands, pick up prescriptions, fill fridges and even go to the movies on Sundays.

I was rudely reminded of how awful Sundays could be on a cold summer day in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1975, where it was my misfortune to end up on "the Sabbath" when traveling with my cousin. Blue laws still prevailed in that rigid then-Protestant stronghold. The youth hostel kicked everyone out almost as soon as we were woken up very early, and we couldn't get back in until dinnertime. We wandered along the cobblestones past closed tea shops along the Royal Mile, growing hungrier, colder and thirstier. Finally in the late afternoon, we realized the train station was open, where we got some of that stewed tea Scotland excels in. We gratefully filed back into the youth hostel 12 hours after we left it, happy to say goodbye to Sunday in Scotland.

Today, we take for granted that you can do many of the things on Sunday that you can do on other days, perhaps reduced hours notwithstanding. Will this still be the case if Project 2025 becomes a reality? Not if the Heritage Foundation gets its way. Let's turn to page 589 of Project 2025, to a subsection titled "Sabbath Rest."

"God ordained the Sabbath as a day of rest, and until very recently the Judeo-Christian tradition sought to honor that mandate by moral and legal regulation of work on that day," states the document. "Moreover, a shared day off makes it possible for families and communities to enjoy time off together, rather than as atomized individuals, and provides a healthier cadence of life for everyone. Unfortunately, the communal day of rest has eroded under the pressures of consumerism and secularism, especially for low-income workers."

The document continues: "That day would default to Sunday, except for employers with a sincere religious observance of a Sabbath at a different time (e.g., Friday sundown to Saturday sundown); the obligation would transfer to that period instead."

The project calls for Congress to encourage "communal rest" (sounds kinky!) by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act to repeal overtime, except to require time-and-a half pay for working on "the Sabbath" regardless of whether someone is truly working overtime. It concedes this would "lead to higher costs and limited access to goods and services and reduce work available on the Sabbath," but after all, "the proper role of government in helping to enable individuals to practice their religion is to reduce barriers to work options and to fruitful employer and employee relations."

Project 2025 assures us that churches, naturally, would, in most instances, be exempt from this rule! It pretends to care about workers, but clearly the real goal is to get more bodies back into churches because of less competition.

The freethought movement has played a historic role in fighting blue laws. In researching "Women Without Superstition: The Collected Writings of Women Freethinkers of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries," I came across "Shall the World's Fair Be Closed on Sunday?" by pioneering 19th-century feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Congress had voted to withhold appropriations to the 1893 Fair in Chicago if it opened on Sundays, after being petitioned by 100,000 Americans, mostly — to Stanton's chagrin — "concerned women."

Stanton felt so passionately about this state/church problem that she undertook a personal crusade to circulate her pamphlet objecting to the Sunday closing of the fair, which was reprinted in various newspapers. She ably mustered quotes and opinions from the New Testament and church leaders such as Calvin and Luther, as well as from contemporaries, to disprove the claims of the Sabbatarians. Neither Jesus nor Paul advocated keeping the Sabbath, Calvin deferred a sermon to attend a Sunday play and Martin Luther favored dancing on Sunday rather than observing a Jewish code. The Sunday closing laws, she averred, were antithetical to family happiness and morality. She launched her broadside at a time when the vote was being reconsidered — and her efforts paid off. Although many exhibits were closed, the World Fair as a whole stayed open on Sundays.

As Stanton wrote, "It is in very bad taste as well as grossly unjust, for Christians, comprising as they do, so very small a portion of the human family, to force their religious observances on representatives of all the nations on the Earth."

"It has been our boast that we have no state religion, that here all sects occupy a common ground, that all faiths are equally respected," Stanton added. "Then why should the Sunday of the Christian be more binding than that of the Jew, the Quaker, the Seventh-day Baptist, or of that increasingly large class of educated, liberal-minded people who do not believe in any penal Sundays, or imposed religious test, but who do believe in a change of employment one day in seven, when those who do the hard work of the world shall have free access to all the libraries, the galleries of art, the museums, the concerts and the public parks, there to enjoy whatever innocent amusements they may desire."

She concluded: "This act of Congress is a fatal blow at one of the vital principles of our Government and should be resisted by all who know the danger of recognizing any union in State and Church."

Sabbath laws of course have their origins in the bible. The version of the Fourth Commandment, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy," quoted at the start of this essay goes on to say: "Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work . . . . For in six days the Lord made heaven and Earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Yes, the biblical deity has an uneasy vanity and narcissistically needs to be worshiped and obeyed by compliance with his Sabbath requirements. But that's not all.

As most freethinkers familiar with the bible know, there are several versions of the Ten Commandments. The version of the Fourth Commandment laid out in Exodus 34 is followed by more detailed instructions in the following chapter, to wit: "Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord: Whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death." (Exodus 35:2)

And that's precisely what happens to an unlucky man found gathering sticks on the Sabbath, according to Numbers 15:23–36. The Lord says to Moses, "The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones." The passage duly reports that the congregation stoned him, "and he died."

When Dan was researching his book "GOD: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction," he discovered that next to idolatry, the second most common "evil" referred to in the Old Testament is breaking the Sabbath. (The third was interreligious marriage; none of these is immoral, much less evil.)

I suppose we should feel fortunate that Project 2025 doesn't command the death penalty . . . yet, for working on "the Sabbath." It's fine if fanatics take "the Sabbath" seriously, but they can't legislate it in a secular democracy.

Who has the time to plow through 900-plus pages of the bureaucratic authoritarianism that is Project 2025? Not many of us — and that's what its creators are banking on. The dire political consequences of Project 2025, such as eliminating checks and balances and amassing all regulatory power in the White House, may seem like remote threats. But the threat to our Sundays is personal. Please help the Freedom From Religion Foundation get out the word about what will happen to our weekends if we fail to stop Project 2025.

Annie Laurie Gaylor is co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

My only comments concerning the views expressed above, are in regard to the ignorant assassination of God's character within it. The author fails to supply the very important context surrounding the penalty and execution God commanded for Israel, and or those who would claim to be God's people. Lest it be forgotten, that this individual lived through some of the most awesome, if not the most awesome displays of God's supernatural power ever witnessed by any who lived to tell about them.

They had themself been delivered by God from abject abusive slavery by one supernatural undeniably miraculous event after another. Been delivered from the armies of Egypt by the supernatural dividing of the Red sea, which closed up again upon the Egyptian army pursuing the Israelites. Travelled through the wilderness with a supernatural cloud provided by God by day to shield them from the heat of the sun, and a pillar of fire by night to light their way and protect them from the cold. They had also witnessed perhaps the single most awesome display of God's power humanity has witnessed when the Lord descended upon the mountain which shook and smoked like a chimney stack, where He literally spoke His Ten Commandments to the entire nation in a voice sounding like rolling thunder, which he and all Israel at that time promised to keep. Not to mention being supernaturally fed with manna from heaven every day by God besides other manifestations of God's divinity as well. As a professed believer of the nation of Israel at that particular time, he was unquestionably without excuse before God, by obstinately defying His Lord's command. Whom had proved Himself to be God, which the guilty party acknowledged and professed as such. May God have mercy on our sinful souls, who have accepted the gift of the Son of God's life on our behalf, and still wander away and disobey our loving, merciful, and awesome Savior and Lord. 

https://adventmessenger.org/labor-unions-and-churches-vow-to-fight-to-keep-sunday-work-free/

Quoted article below from link above.

QuoteLabor Unions and Churches Vow to Fight to Keep Sunday Work-Free

In Germany, the battle over Sunday rest is intensifying as political, economic, and religious forces dig in for a growing confrontation. Faced with China's enormous economic power and increasing global competition, some German leaders and business groups are calling for long-standing Sunday restrictions to be loosened. Recent government proposals aimed at revitalizing the economy have included allowing certain commercial activities on Sundays, while major retailers are pressing for Sunday-closing laws to be relaxed nationwide. Churches and labor unions, however, have vowed to resist these efforts and preserve Sunday as a work-free day.

The South China Morning Post published the following on July 27, 2026:

• "Germany's drive to compete with Chinese imports is colliding with its long-standing tradition of Sunday rest, with policymakers and retailers now asking whether a century-old consensus still fits an economy struggling to regain its competitiveness."

• "The latest flashpoint came in early July, when the country's coalition government unveiled a package of measures to boost Germany's competitiveness, including plans to let bakeries, confectioneries and public libraries operate longer on Sundays from the start of next year."

• "However, retail and business associations argue that the changes do not go far enough."

• "The shop closing law is, in my view, a relic of the past," Peter Adrian, president of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in mid-July. "Retailers should be left to decide whether they want to open their stores on Sundays or not."

• "Opposition comes chiefly from unions and churches. Sunday work in retail was "an attack by employers on the work-life balance of more than 3 million retail employees," Silke Zimmer, a member of the United Services Trade Union's federal executive board, said in the magazine Politik & Kommunikation in July, calling Sunday the only reliable day off for many workers."

• "The union has said it would take the fight to the Federal Constitutional Court if necessary."

• "Church leaders have also long warned that regular Sunday work would erode society's one shared day off."

What is unfolding is a direct struggle over whether Sunday rest should remain protected and enforced throughout German society. These developments are placing Sunday rest laws squarely at the center of Germany's national debate. The government has already proposed expanding Sunday operations for bakeries, confectioneries, and public libraries, while powerful business organizations are demanding much broader changes that would allow retailers themselves to decide whether to open on Sundays.

On the other side, labor unions and churches are preparing for a determined resistance. Unions have described expanded Sunday commerce as an assault on the work-life balance of millions of employees and have threatened to take the matter before Germany's Federal Constitutional Court. Church leaders are likewise defending Sunday as society's common day of rest. This means Sunday observance is no longer a minor cultural issue—it has become a major national struggle involving government policy, economic survival, workers' rights, religious influence, and constitutional law.

Across Europe, and the rest of the world, churches, labor unions, employers' organizations, and political advocates are promoting a synchronized, work-free Sunday as necessary for family life, workers' health, social cohesion, and spiritual activity. This is why the Sunday issue will not simply disappear. Sunday legislation can be presented under many attractive labels: workers' rights, family preservation, mental health, social unity, economic fairness, environmental protection, or national tradition.

Germany is not an isolated controversy—it is one battlefield in a widening international struggle. The debate will continue, changing its language and justification, until Sunday is strictly enforced by civil authority in the United States and throughout the world. When that crisis comes, the question will be whether human governments have the right to exalt Sunday, the counterfeit day of worship, as the legally protected day of rest.

"The Word of God teaches that these scenes are to be repeated as papists and Protestants shall unite for the exaltation of the Sunday. The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with lamb-like horns shall cause the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the papacy" (Great Controversy, p. 578).