Do laws that prohibit liqour sales on Sunday violate the separation of church and state?

Question

And what about the the Ten Commandments being displayed in court houses?

Answer 1

The Sunday liquor law seems to violate the spirit of the First Amendment, at least, but, because it doesn't directly address religion, would be a tough one to challenge on those grounds.
As to the Ten Commandments, the courts have drawn a careful line. Displays in the context of legal history (the Ten Commandments being an important historical example of written law as opposed to royal whim) are allowable. The U.S. Supreme Court building, in fact, has such a display, in which Moses is shown along with Hammurabi and others as historical lawgivers.
However, the same rulings make clear that the display of the Ten Commandments in a stand-alone context implies religious intent, and many of those seeking to erect Ten Commandments monuments have obviously done so with religious intent. That clearly violates the First Amendment, which guarantees, in part,"no law respecting an establishment of religion."
There are those who seek to create what would in effect be an official national religious viewpoint. The First Amendment (important enough that the Founders saw fit to change the precious and hard-won Constitution, and important enough to be the FIRST Amendment) is clear: government has no business supporting or opposing religious viewpoints.

It seems odd to me that anyone, even the religious, would want the often-inept and invariably corrupt hand of government anywhere near religion. That was certainly the Founders' thinking.

Answer 2

Those laws were common among states which had the "blue laws" years ago and still exist on the books. They were put there way before the separation issue became so big. some states have attempted to change them, some succeeded. The 10 Commandments are just an example of ancient laws, some of the first recorded as recognizable for a group of people to follow, and which some of our current laws are derived from. A display of these does not mean there is an undue influence from any church on the court.

Answer 3

Research the laws governing the seperation of church and state. They are often quoted, but never read. Find them, if you can. And answer your own question. Then, if they do, as far as you can tell, do something about it. Good luck on finding them.

First hint. Read the Constitution of the United States. It is not addressed like you would want it to be.

Answer 4

Liquor sales have nothing to do with church/state. To be perfectly honest with you, if there is going to be a true separation of church and state, then take down all the plaques, change our monetary notes and coins also! "In God We Trust!" I do, but I don't force my religion down other peoples throats!

Answer 5

no. 10 commandments-they aren't really allowed anymore.

no liquor on Sunday is to keep attendance up at the office. It's to make sure no one calls in 'sick' on Monday....but that's my explanation. I could be wrong.

Answer 6

Where i live you can buy liquor on sundays...noon-500.......our court system always used ...commandments base on some of our laws...

Answer 7

YES....it's just a way for the Christian right to practice what we already know does not work...prohibition

Answer 8

While you're at it, why don't you start wondering about laws against:

Perjury, fraud, libel and slander ("Thou shalt not bare false witness.")
Theft in all its various forms ("Thou shalt not steal.")
Murder and manslaughter ("Thou shalt not kill.")

Answer 9

What an interesting question......I would probably say "Yes".

Answer 10

Well...
One thing...
Contradictions...
Is what is left of...