Religious coercion
Religious coercion is the practice of imposing a religious norm on a group of people, while violating the people's freedom of religion.
Blue laws
A blue law is a type of law, typically found in the United States, and formerly in Canada, designed to enforce religious standards, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of worship or rest, and a restriction on Sunday shopping. Most have been repealed, have been declared unconstitutional, or are unenforced; though prohibitions on the sale of alcoholic beverages or prohibitions of almost all commerce on Sundays are still enforced in many areas. Blue laws often prohibit an activity only during certain hours and there are usually exceptions to the prohibition of commerce, like grocery and drug stores. In some places blue laws may be enforced due to religious principles, but others are retained as a matter of tradition or out of convenience.
Religious coercion in Germany
Due to Traditions as well as the State-Church agreement, shops are closed and commercial activities are prohibited on Sunday. In addition Secular activity of a "frivolous or joyous nature" are prohibited on certain Christian festivals e.g. Ash Wednesday.
Work, even for private people within their homes is prohibited on Sundays and holydays.
Religious coercion in Israel
Because the Jewish Ultra-Orthodox in Israel have a monopoly[1][2] over the religious authority of the entire Jewish population in the country, thus all Jewish Israelis (both secular, semi-secular and religious Jews of the Jewish ethnicity) are obligated to marry, divorce, and convert in accordance to the strict ultra-orthodox traditions and by Ultra-Orthodox rabbis (Conservative and Reform rabbis are not allowed to conduct religious ceremonies in the country). In addition, due to the political power of the ultra-Orthodox minority, the entire Israeli public, including the secular, semi-religious, and non-Jewish populations, are committed to follow several Jewish Ultra-Orthodox norms regarding the observance of Sabbath on Saturdays within the cites, towns and villages in the country which have a Jewish majority - this means that all public transport in these areas (the major towns and cities in the country) are disabled on Saturdays, and most businesses are closed, although this is the country's only day of rest and although the majority of the country's population is actually secular or semi-secular.
See also
References
- ↑ Religious Action Center - Ending the Orthodox Monopoly
- ↑ "Conservatives: Abolish Orthodox monopoly". Ynetnews.com. 1995-06-20. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
External links
- Israelis protest against religious coercion – posted on the Associated Press on December 27, 2011