Blue Law Sunday
Posted on 15. Feb, 2010 by Nick the Geek in All, Jesus Freak, Youth Pastor
I often learn new and fascinating fact in church. Unfortunately they are often random things that aren’t really part of what I should have learned. Pastor did a great sermon yesterday from Matthew. It had something to do with being full of the Spirit of God and acting like it. I try really hard to pay attention, but I get easily distracted and there are so many distracting things in the sound booth.
Of course I do learn things. Yesterday I learned about the blue laws. I had heard of these kinds of things in the past, and I even know that some of these laws still exist in certain communities. They limit what can be sold or done on Sunday. Most of these laws are beyond absurd.
According to my pastor the ice cream soda was invented by accident around the turn of the century in a drug store. Back in the day people would often get creme sodas. I can attest to getting these at a particular restaurant in Norman, OK. They called them “Italian Cream Sodas.” They were made by hand with syrups, soda water, and cream. From what I understand this is pretty much the formula they used back in the days when the local drug stores were making up their sodas. Anyways, one guy ran out of cream but had some ice cream which he substituted for the cream in his cream soda.
The new ice cream soda became a regularly requested item and then spread through the nation as a new national craze. Then the church stepped in. Concerned pastors started preaching against the sin of indulgence and got people to rally against the evils of ice cream sodas. They eventually got laws passed that made it illegal to make or sell ice cream sodas on Sunday.
Eventually an ingenious merchant came up with a new marketing gimmick. On Sunday he would prepare a special ice cream soda without the soda. He put ice cream and syrup into a soda glass and called it a “Sunday” special. This new confection quickly grew in popularity to the point that most Americans have had a Sundae even if they have never had a classic Ice Cream Soda.
It bothers me that the Church has wasted so much energy complaining. We still do it. We make it our business to let the World know how sinful they are, and what is worse we tend to make up sins just to beat them down. This is why I have so much trouble with legislating morality and why I think we need to be more focused on being a light or good salt rather than shining lasers into people’s eyes or pouring nasty filthy salt into their wounds.
This Sunday we should all go order a classic ice cream soda to celebrate our freedom from the Law and then find some way to spread the Love of God.
How will you be a beacon of God’s grace, mercy, and love?
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Marni
Feb 15th, 2010
I totally remember Blue Laws in Texas. NOTHING was open on Sunday’s it seemed. Gas stations, that’s about it. Grocery stores didn’t even open until noon if they opened at all. It’s surreal to think of that now.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to have an ice cream sundae.
Nick the Geek
Feb 15th, 2010
I’ve heard a lot about them. One state I know had everything shut down but the gas stations. The gas stations were only allowed to sell gas and not work on vehicles or sell products and the attendants were required to pump the gas. This was so people could get to church and not get gas on their clothes. Very sad.
Helen
Feb 15th, 2010
I think it is the intention that is the problem. Closing stores down on Sunday so people working there have opportunity to go to Church and spend time with family: good. Closing stores down just to make some sort of point: not good.
Nick the Geek
Feb 15th, 2010
I have a huge issue with forcing stores to close regardless. I applaud places like Chick-fil-a that actually shut down for Sunday, but it is their choice.
I personally think that if we want stores and restaurants to close on Sunday when we should just stop going. Stores will close down if there aren’t enough customers. We don’t need laws, we don’t need picketing or other nastiness, let’s just agree to spend time with out families.
Ginny (MAD21)
Feb 15th, 2010
The little town where my Dad grew up still has Blue Laws. So it’s around. But I think the reason most towns still do it is to honor the “day of rest.” Either that, or no one has gone to any effort to change things.
Nick the Geek
Feb 15th, 2010
There are a lot of rural communities with Blue Laws in effect still. I think a big part of that is the general bent against change in these “Mayberry” communities.
SarahBee
Feb 15th, 2010
We still have a light version of Blue Laws here in Arizona. Then again, we are a young state. We just celebrated our 98th birthday on Sunday. Certain items are restricted from sale on Sunday mornings. This does not particularly motivate or demotivate me from attending church.
That said, I’m off to scoop ice cream and make a soda now. Cranberry sounds like a good idea.
Nick the Geek
Feb 15th, 2010
when my pastor had finished talking about this I shouted from the back of the church that we should all go get ice cream soda after church. I see stuff like that and I get a little rebellious.
Kristi Fornshell
Feb 15th, 2010
I well remember “Blue Laws ” as I was growing up. I also remember ” remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy”
Would it be such a bad thing if we went back to that? Folks would learn to plan ahead, and The Walmart and the mall would be less “entertainment for bored kids” Essential services only.
I think things changed when so many women started working and the weekends were the only time to run errands.
On a side note. My Gr. Grandfather was a Methodist minister in New England in 1906 or so. He was chastized by 2 of his lady parishioners
one Sunday afternoon while he was mowing his lawn.
He tipped his straw hat and replied…” The better the day .
, the better the deed.
Nick the Geek
Feb 15th, 2010
I remember that. I also remember Jesus, the one responsible for the Sabbath, saying “the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.”
When we picket and pass laws that go well past the intent of the Sabbath we become like the pharisees that tried to verbally destroy Jesus and His disciples for gleaning grain on the Sabbath.
In this case it isn’t even about closing stores, it was about preventing enjoying a nice soda. The store was open but couldn’t sell a specific item.
I think the kind of change people need can’t be accomplished with external laws. You can change behavior without changing the person and thus not accomplish anything in the eternal sense. That external change is easier in the short run though so we focus on that.
Jesus came to change the heart so He focused on heart issues and not the issues that sprout from the heart. When He came on the scene people experienced real and eternal change.
PS I like your great grandfather’s approach with those busybodies.
Candy
Feb 15th, 2010
If nobody worked on Sunday, who would give the sermons? I’m glad my pastor’s day of rest isn’t on Sunday. Just sayin’
Nick the Geek
Feb 15th, 2010
Good point, although the tricky part is getting that day in during the week. Maybe the whole world should shut down on Friday so I’m not tempted to go do stuff when I should be resting.
Greg
Feb 16th, 2010
I like that bit about shining lasers in their eyes and pouring filthy salt in their wounds. I don’t like the idea of doing that, but I like the way you put it. I do wish some “Christians” would learn how abrasive they can be and their “evangelism” can be motivated by hate rather than love, or at least it could seem that way.
Nick the Geek
Feb 16th, 2010
I thought it was a fun play on the concept of being light and salt. I don’t think that the kind of abusive evengelism that I’ve seen a lot of Christians do is as much about helping others come to God as it is about feeling good about yourself for being “holy.”
Sherry Meneley
Feb 17th, 2010
Little late in my reading – but BIG thumbs up on pointing out the crazy things the church wastes energy on. The “Sunday” is such a great example. Who knew how Godly I was being every time I indulged
Probably should stop at McDs on the way home…as an act for worship for righteous food and more acceptance by legalistic on-lookers.