The Hindu Business Line : Sunday is no longer special

In the present-day world of complex consumer-oriented trade practice, virtual race in professional engagement and widespread competition in every walk of life, the new `mantra7', patterned by the socalled modern living style, boasts of a `24/7 culture'. Sunday was the exclusive day of the week, set apart for staying away from work or labour and, instead, devoted wholly for worship and connected ritual. The traditional custom, descended from Biblical times, had been an all-day long stretch of family time, with liquor unavailable, shopping impossible and church attendance more or less compulsory. This was Sabbath.

Right from the early days of Christianity, Sunday was hence blessed with the unique position as "God's day" to be fully occupied in both morning and afternoon meetings for personal and family prayers. Work and especially play was forbidden. In fact, die-hard believers in the efficacy of the extended period of prayer were inclined to interpret any bad turn of events or misfortune as signs of the Almighty's wrath for worldly indulgences on Sabbath!

However, with the passage of many centuries, human needs and aspirations also multiplied, and the old faith steadily began diluting. Although Sunday still retains the charm that worship bestows; it is increasingly awaited for a variety of other purposes - to catch up with accumulated or neglected tasks, errands and visits that the busy schedule of working days could not accommodate.

As a matter of fact, present-time work culture and the stress-laden ambience, whether at home or outside, have made the weekend a much sought-after holiday. The mere joy of the leisure time, away from the drudgery of labouring for a living, has become so alluring.

To some, there is much pleasure to be availed of in sheer laziness or idleness possible over the entire day. Yet, there is much wisdom in the new concept as it helps in seeking rest, relaxation and a chance to restore or recharge the tired-out bodily systems. Perhaps, this is completely in tune with the secular attitude permeating modern society. Americans, who, by and large, pay equal attention to hard work and pursuit of happiness, foresee a holiday spirit hovering over each approaching weekend that includes Sunday too.

Sabbath may, no doubt, get squeezed to a forenoon session but may amply satisfy the traditional ritual ordained for observance, thereby leaving an option for use of the rest of the time for housekeeping and personal chores, not excepting shopping, banking or entertainment.

Thus, when a three-day weekend occurs for celebration of a festival or for some national event - which often is the rule here rather than an exception - many families plan a major outing to some tourist spot, sightseeing in a neighbouring state or a local hiking expedition, whereby Sabbath and all spiritual activity may get confined to the privacy of a family gathering.

Sunday worship, in such a secondary role, devoid of the usual church service or sermon, is yet a necessary part in the day's programme, seldom neglected, but viewed as a very desirable diversion during various engagements of the holiday.

Amidst these developments affecting religious and social norms, it looks quite archaic to learn about some activists in France, who took to the streets vehemently opposing giant retailers of luxury goods keeping their shops open on Sundays. In support of their protest, they were quoting a century-old law limiting Sunday work, a plea that seemed ludicrous and out-of-date!

And so, the old order has steadily been yielding place to new and Sunday's special status is much eroded already; the aura of its eminence, consequent on its association with ancient faith is, indeed, vanishing. Shops and restaurants, quite unabashedly, now put up signs on their doors like "Open-Sunday" or "We work all days of the week!'' What a change from old times!

(The author is a freelance writer based in the US.)

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