by Anna Hasty

Created on: June 30, 2008   Last Updated: August 07, 2008

As a Christian myself I have faced this issue many times. While working in retail, I was expected to work as scheduled and not complain. I was told time and time again that being able to working on Sunday was a requirement of the position. Christians are forced into compromising their beliefs to hold employment.

How is this practice acceptable? In today's society almost any action can be interpreted as discrimination or persecution. People who practice other religions demand that their beliefs be respected. If an employer does not allow them to take time for prayer or make accommodations for the employee it is discrimination.

It should not be any different for someone of the Christian faith. Sunday is the day of rest and yet thousands of Christians are forced to work because they need their job. Why is it necessary for all these businesses to be open on Sunday ? Can't people make it one day with out a movie or a meal out. Why must a business be open seven days a week ?

It s ironic to me that America was founded by people escaping religious persecution and now we face it more than ever. It seems as though everyone else in this country get everything their way but what about the principles America was based on. People are forgetting that America is, One Nation Under God". What has happened to "God" in America ? It seems that everyone wants to forget the importance of God in there lives and country.

In years past Sunday was used for worship, family, rest and reflection. Does anyone else remember going on a Sunday drive ? It was a good way to spend time with family and get way from every day stress understand that people need access to gas, medicine and medical care on Sunday but, is that shopping trip to the mall really necessary. If society would stop demanding stores be open on Sunday, employees would not be faced with this issue.

America is the "Land of the Free", and yet our rights as Christians are infringed upon. Working on Sunday is just the tip of the iceberg. It should be a matter of choice, if a Christian does not want to work on Sunday that should be their choice. After all it is their paycheck.

I am as guilty as the next person. I have worked, shopped and used Sunday as a way of playing catch-up for the week. That has stopped. Sunday now is for worship, family and rest as it was meant to be. If all Christians would take this approach employers would change. If nobody shopped, dined out or used retail services then no one would be forced to work.
As a country we need to rethink our habits and put God back into our lives and country

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