Kol!
The Issue
High ranking officials and devout followers of a major religion have requested that the government close down retail stores during the Sabbath in accordance to their religious views.
The Debate
1: "It's written in our sacred texts that our Creator took the seventh day for rest, and so should we!" says Lara Brown, a devout follower of a major religion. "To work on the Sabbath is an insult to our Creator, and I think the last thing Blaist Blaland needs is eternal damnation. Shut down all retail stores for the Sabbath! Besides, who wants to work then anyway?"
2: "I'm afraid that's not going far enough," adds Buy Jefferson, a high-ranking official in the Synod of Zealous Religious Fanatics. "This shouldn't apply to just retail stores. Everything must be shut down! Hospitals, government agencies, police, and other emergency services. Sure, it'll be dangerous and likely cause some death, but saving our souls from eternal damnation should be our priority. Blaist Blaland must do all it can to appease the almighty Creator."
3: "You're not really going to listen to what these nutjobs are proposing, are you?" asks Xu Li, your atheist economic adviser. "Think about the damage this would cause to the economy. Isn't that more important than appeasing a few nuts? If anything, we should be requiring that all retail stores remain open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Just think of all that unlimited shopping time!"
4: Slacker blogger Freddy Levy, still in pajamas and eating a pizza slice on a ratty couch, sends you a video chat invitation. "Dude, why not just give everybody shorter work weeks? Make flex time, telecommuting, and 35-hour work weeks mandatory for all us working folk. Trust me, the people will love you for it man!"
