Posted: Jun 02, 2011 7:33 pm
Rome Existed wrote:In QLD it's illegal to open a lot of businesses on Christian holidays. Went out a few years ago on a Thursday and was told that the club would be shutting before midnight because it couldn't legally remain open past midnight because that was Good Friday. Like, wtf? If you're a Christian and you don't want to go out drinking on Good Friday stay the fuck home, but don't force the rest of us to stay home!
Good Friday being a national holiday has nothing to do with modern Christians and their practices or wishes, it is the product of a Christianity-influenced culture and history. Even in the U.S. where we have separation of church and state, Good Friday is a holiday in certain states (not nationwide). Some states have chosen to rename it to "Spring Holiday", to avoid the religious association but keep the day off. In Canada, a very secular country, Good Friday is also still a nationwide holiday, and my Canadian friends have told me it doesn't bother them; it's another day off (and a long weekend—they get Easter Monday off)!