Outrage as TABs open for Good Friday - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Before we get too outraged about "sacred days" being trampled on, perhaps we need to reflect on this: If we were serious aobut proclaiming the gospel there would be little demand for worship at the TAB or the shops.And if we demand our rights to special treatment of Christian days in our multi-cultural society how long will it be before Muslims demand equal rights?

I suspect that the media and politicians will be more alarmed than genuine christians, by and large. I'm just sad that we are losing the idea of sabbath, a common day when the whole community rests and reflects on life.


From the ABC:

Outrage as TABs open for Good Friday

Religious groups are furious Tabcorp has decided to open for gambling on Good Friday for the first time.The decision to allow punters to place bets at agencies and hotels comes as New South Wales authorities consider an application by big retailers to open on Easter Sunday.

David Jones, Myer and Kmart argue religion's role in society has diminished, but religious and charity groups say the days are two of the last sacred holidays left on the calendar.

Father Brian Lucas, from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, says Tabcorp's decision shows nothing is more sacred than profit for some.

"One wonders why this particular day, of all the days people are able to trade, is so significant to the traders," he said.

The head of problem gambling services at the Salvation Army, Gerard Burn, says religious holidays should be protected from trading.

"These things ought to be kept sacrosanct within our community," he said. "Once we begin to water down these days that are significant days on the Christian calendar, then we start to see gambling becomes, in a sense, the new religion."

Outrage as TABs open for Good Friday - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

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