The legislature will consider whether to allow hunting and liquor sales on Sundays.
A bill, filed by Democratic Sen. Julia Boseman, would remove a prohibition set into law in the 19th century, presumably to keep the traditional Christian Sabbath holy. Another bill would allow alcohol sales.
As a Southern state within the Bible Belt, North Carolina has more than a few so-called blue laws that restrict activities on Sundays:
ALCOHOL SALES: It is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages before noon, and counties may further restrict rural sales until 7 a.m. Monday.
ABC STORES: No state-run alcohol store can be open on Sunday, New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas day.
COURT SUMMONS: Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers may not deliver court summons on Sundays.
SCHOOL: No public school classes can be held on Sunday.
LOCAL OPTION: With proper public notice, local government can regulate or prohibit other types of business on Sundays.
In addition, the N.C. Department of Correction is required to offer religious services to prisoners on Sundays "and at such other times as may be deemed appropriate."
Comments
Re: Tangled up in blue (laws)
February 2, 2009 - 6:21am — ShelbyRadioI am old enough to remember when businesses closed Wednesday at noon and made up for it on Saturday mornings. I once asked why this was so. The reply I got from my father was so that those who lived in the county could get home in plenty of time to prepare for Wednesday evening services at church. Now, mind you, Wednesday was and is not a holy day. However, closing at noon did, at the time, show respect for those who took their church going seriously.
Our modern society has taken to demonize Christians. So, removing the bow hunting on Sunday is just another attempt at further demonizing Christians.