Thats actually an offensive statement. Don't be that way.
Those people then believed that certain things shouldn't be done on certain days, and their was legistation when outliers refused. People called them sunday laws because thats the day they were enacted to promote rest. Yes they can be religiously motivated. The U.S. Supreme Court has held blue laws as constitutional numerous times, citing secular basis such as securing a day of rest for mail carriers, as well as protecting workers and families, in turn contributing to societal stability and guaranteeing the free exercise of religion. The origin of the blue laws also partially stems from religion, particularly the prohibition of
Sabbath desecration in Christian Churches following the
first-day Sabbatarian tradition. Both
labour unions and
trade associations have historically supported the legislation of blue laws.
Most blue laws have been repealed in the United States, although many states still ban the sale of
alcoholic beverages or cars on Sundays.
Bergen County, New Jersey is notable for their blue laws banning the sale of clothing, shoes, furniture, home supplies and appliances on Sundays kept through county-wide referendum. I am assuming your store is either there or Utah.
In the United States, judges have defended blue laws "in terms of their secular benefit to workers", holding that "the laws were essential to social well-being". Chief Justice
Stephen Johnson Field, with regard to Sunday blue laws, stated:
Its requirement is a cessation from labor. In its enactment, the legislature has given the sanction of law to a rule of conduct, which the entire civilized world recognizes as essential to the physical and moral well-being of society. Upon no subject is there such a concurrence of opinion, among philosophers, moralists and statesmen of all nations, as on the necessity of periodical cessation from labor. One day in seven is the rule, founded in experience and sustained by science. ... The prohibition of secular business on Sunday is advocated on the ground that by it the general welfare is advanced, labor protected, and the moral and physical well-being of society promoted.
—
Hennington v. Georgia, 163 U.S. 299 [1896]
In Texas, for example, blue laws prohibited selling housewares such as pots, pans, and washing machines on Sunday until 1985. In
Colorado,
Illinois,
Indiana,
Iowa,
Louisiana,
Maine,
Minnesota,
Missouri,
Oklahoma,
New Jersey,
North Dakota,
Pennsylvania, and
Wisconsin, car dealerships continue to operate under blue-law prohibitions in which an automobile may not be purchased or traded on a Sunday.
Maryland permits Sunday automobile sales only in the counties of
Charles,
Prince George's,
Montgomery, and
Howard; similarly,
Michigan restricts Sunday sales to only those counties with a population of less than 130,000. Texas and
Utah prohibit car dealerships from operating over consecutive weekend days. In some cases these laws were created or retained with the support of those whom they affected, to allow them a day off each week without fear of their competitors still being open.
Blue laws may also prohibit retail activity on days other than Sunday. In
Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, and
Maine for example, blue laws prohibit most retail stores, including grocery stores, from opening on
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Other than 1 closing shift this week at 11, I have had all mids.
