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Observe the Sabbath plea to MSPs Day of rest petition is passed on
(about 4 hours later)
MSPs at Holyrood are to consider a petition calling for Sunday to be declared an official day of rest. MSPs have passed on a petition to Westminster calling for a return to Sunday observance.
A church minister will argue that Scotland suffers spiritually, socially and economically by not observing the Sabbath. The plea for an official day of rest was made by the Reverend Hugh Cartwright, of the synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Representing the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Reverend Hugh Cartwright will raise the issue with the petitions committee. He said that the lack of a day of rest was one of the main causes of stress and family breakdown.
If the committee is persuaded, MSPs could take up the cause. MSPs said responsibility for employment law rests with Westminster, which could consider the issue.
Mr Cartwright will say that historically, prohibiting Sunday working was not needed. However, they expressed scepticism about the prospect of legislation.
However, now his church believes due regard is not being given to Scotland's Christian traditions, with a secular society emerging by default. Secular society
He will also attempt to make an economic case for closing businesses on a Sunday. Mr Cartwright said Scotland suffers spiritually, socially and economically by not observing the Sabbath.
The petition comes in the same week that a bid to ban large stores from opening on Christmas Day and New Year's Day was backed by some MSPs. He said that, historically, prohibiting Sunday working was not needed.
However, now his church believes due regard has not been given to Scotland's Christian traditions, with a secular society emerging by default.
Mr Cartwright also made an economic case for closing businesses on a Sunday.
The petition came in the same week that a bid to ban large stores from opening on Christmas Day and New Year's Day was backed by some MSPs.