It is a federal institution and there is a seperation of church and state so why is Sunday the only day they do not deliver mail?
2007-06-05 06:45:41 · 19 answers · asked by kyeann 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The post office does not shut down for 2 days, it is only one and it is Sunday, the day that America has honored as the Sabbath and the day that most churches hold services.
2007-06-05 06:59:19 · update #1
I am a Christian and I am just noticing that when it is convenient, the government still follows religious customs, yet do not allow Christ in the Christmas parade and make students stop praying in school (don't say they can pray if they want to because we were made to stop when I was in school)
2007-06-05 07:04:49 · update #2
Until 1912, mail was delivered 7 days a week. As the postal service grew in popularity and usage in the 1800s, local religious leaders were noticing a decline in Sunday morning church attendance due to local post offices doubling as gathering places. These leaders appealed to the government to intervene and close post offices on Sundays.[14]
This is a matter of some controversy. Many believe that the post office is closed to prevent a government subsidized agency from forcing Christians to work on Sunday, a protection of religious freedom. Others believe the government used its power to take "competition" away from churches, and point out that Christians and those of any other belief work for the post office voluntarily (and that no exemption has been put in place for the holy days of other faiths); therefore, it is seen by some as a violation of separation of church and state.
As a result of this intervention by the government, U.S. Mail (with the exception of Express Mail[15]) is not delivered on Sunday, with the exception of a few towns in which the local religion has had an effect on the policy. U.S. Mail is delivered Monday through Saturday, with the exception of observed federal holidays.
2007-06-05 06:53:48 · answer #1 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, Revend Einstein you are right and wrong.....unless you consider Thomas Jefferson a liberal.
The phrase "seperation of church and state" is not in the constitution, or any other governement document. It was in a letter written to a Methodist Chruch by Thomas Jefferson. They had heard a rumor that the Baptist reilgion was going to become the national religion. In the letter Jefferson assures that the US was founded so that all Christians could worship as they saw fit, without government interfence.
As for the USPS, they don't so much "recognize the Sabbath" anymore as it is just day of convenience to give the mail carriers a day off. They do still sort mail on Sunday, I know because my ex-husband works Sundays as a mail sorter for the USPS.
2007-06-05 06:56:48 · answer #2 · answered by christelle k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do lighten up, dear. It has more to do with what's considered a business week than a religious conspiracy. I suppose in the name of not offending anyone, they could choose Thursdays instead ... but then the postal workers who aren't stuck sorting mail would never get a two-day weekend on those federal Monday holidays ... when most of the rest of us get three days off in a row.
Seriously. This is a non-issue. If you want to see ominous religious overtones in it, though, knock yourself out.
[Edit] As noted above, strictly speaking the USPS doesn't even shut down completely on Sundays; mail is still processed, just not delivered. And yes, if the mail carriers have Sunday off ... and once in a while also Monday, due to federal holidays ... that does add up to two days.
2007-06-05 06:58:10 · answer #3 · answered by Clare † 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they need a day off, and Sunday is one day which many businesses and agencies take off - thus making it more convenient for the Post Office to also take off. I imagine a lot of businesses would get upset if the Post Office took Wednesdays off instead.
I only recently learned that in the US, you have postal deliveries on Saturday. In Canada, Canada Post has never delivered mail on Saturdays. So rather than complaining about the one day that they do take off, perhaps you should wonder why they do work on Saturdays. Is there any mail you really need on a Saturday?
2007-06-05 06:52:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Sabbath is sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, moron.
Always has been, always will be.
Sunday is the day named for, and set aside for the worship of, Roman Solar Gods.
Sunday is the first day of the week, Saturday is the last. Ever look at a calendar?
2007-06-05 06:52:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
They need a day off too, and taking the Sunday is the best way to keep religious people from showing up on the doorstep with burning torches.
2007-06-05 06:51:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because even mail men need a day off. Also, the original sabbath wasn't a Sunday. And yes you CAN prey in school. During your break or lunch. They stopped mandated praying in school.
2007-06-05 06:49:08 · answer #7 · answered by punch 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Government-mandated 2 days off starting on Saturday, the original Sabbath, in case you didn't remember.
2007-06-05 06:50:10 · answer #8 · answered by Cold Fart 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They don't. If they did they would be closed on Saturday, not Sunday.
The definition of the Sabbath accord to the dictionary, encyclopedia, and Bible is the seventh day of the week, Saturday
2007-06-05 06:53:27 · answer #9 · answered by Summertime 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If they're going to have a day off, Sunday is the most logical choice . It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the sabbath.
2007-06-05 06:49:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋