Barry Duke, the Angry Atheist

Pointing and laughing at religious lunacy for more than half-a-century

Lewis residents defy protests by joyless sabbath lunatics over Tesco’s Sunday opening

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AMONG those who voiced opposition to the opening by Tesco of a branch in Stornaway on the Scottish island of Lewis was Richard Lucas, above, the homophobic head of the Scottish Family Party.

But despite all the wailing and gnashing of teeth, hundreds of residents brushed past protesters when the the supermarket decided to open on Sunday for the first time in 16 years.

It had remained shut on a Sunday since it opened in 2008 to reflect local religious sentiment, although some staff worked to restock shelves.

A number of Isle of Lewis residents have vowed to boycott the store in favour of other shops such as Co-op, which remains closed on a Sunday.

One misery-guts, Mark Macdonald, grizzled:

I think the Christian Sabbath brings many benefits that a lot of people enjoy and value. Shops being closed on Sundays is quite normal on continental Europe. it’s not unique to us. It’s what God has asked and told us to do. and he has our best interests at heart.

But Shopper Fiona Macdonald told STV News:

I think Stornoway has now come in line with the 21st century. You don’t see people protesting outside pubs or restaurants.

Innes Maclean added:

I’m quite happy with it. Why not? It’s our rights as UK citizens to attend a shop on Sunday if you want. It’s my wish to shop on Sunday if I want. Anyone who doesn’t want to do so, doesn’t have to. This is my freedom to attend the shop today.

A group of protesters describing themselves as “concerned Christians” stood in the car park.

Lewis, with a population of about 20,000, has a long tradition of observing the Sabbath as a day of rest, meaning that some shops— including both supermarkets — currently keep their doors closed on a Sunday.

Tesco bosses said at least 30 new jobs will be created as part of the change.

A Tesco spokesperson said: 

We are confident that the decision to open our Stornoway Superstore on Sundays will allow us to balance the demand for seven-day opening while remaining respectful to local traditions and culture.  Over recent weeks we have received a significant amount of positive feedback to our new opening proposals, particularly from colleagues.  This change will improve the shopping experience for local customers by offering them flexibility and reducing busy periods during the week.

This Mark Twain quote comes to mind on occasions like this:

Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion — several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn’t straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest best to smooth his brother’s path to happiness and heaven ….

Hat tip: Stephen Harvie

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12 responses to “Lewis residents defy protests by joyless sabbath lunatics over Tesco’s Sunday opening”

  1. stephenharvie Avatar
    stephenharvie

    It’s strange how these Luddites are quite happy for A&E to be open seven days a week and for doctors and nurses to work on the Sabbath.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. malcolmjdodd Avatar
      malcolmjdodd

      Spot on Stephen, as is usual; take the logic a bit further, all phone systems were destroyed by Ned McLudd at 0001 Sunday, car broke down on the way to the church which is on fire due to an ‘act-of-god’: Result – lots of conversions to our cause!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  2. Broga Avatar
    Broga

    They need something to grizzle about and claim that it is what God wants. They don’t realise how petty than makes their God seem. Is an onnipotent God (with 500 billion stars in one galazy and 3 trillion galaxes) really concerned about a few people shopping in Tescos on a Sunday. If so, why doesn’t God stop them. The idea is so absurd.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. stephenharvie Avatar
      stephenharvie

      The Wee Free God is a miserable God concerned with small minded pettiness and the mote in your bother’s eye.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
    2. barriejohn Avatar
      barriejohn

      Rabbis confess that they have no idea why their god requires “his people” to adhere to such apparently pointless and petty rules and regulations, but they merely accept the fact as “his ways are past finding out”, so they will unquestioningly obey him just to show how great is their devotion. If it doesn’t make sense to them, how on earth are we suppposed to view it?

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  3. Broga Avatar
    Broga

    God is created in their image. Not the other way about.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. malcolmjdodd Avatar
      malcolmjdodd

      “Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion – several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbour as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn’t straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest best to smooth his brothers’ path to happiness and heaven…. The higher animals have no religion, we are told that they are going to be left out in the Hereafter. I wonder why? It seems questionable taste”. As well as his witty and accurate observations, he also wrote entertaining books.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Broga Avatar
        Broga

        Brilliant,

        Like

        Reply
    2. stephenharvie Avatar
      stephenharvie

      I really should wear my reading glasses as I read that as ‘God is created in their minge’

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Broga Avatar
        Broga

        That seems more accurate. Perhaps you were guided by a divine hand. There is a lot of such guidance going on. But only when the result is positive.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
  4. barriejohn Avatar
    barriejohn

    Saturday is the Sabbath, and nothing in the Bible negates this fact, so by making the first day of the week “holy”, they are, themselves, breaking “God’s Law”.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  5. malcolmjdodd Avatar
    malcolmjdodd

    We are lauding Lewis for opening on Sunday with the ridiculous restricted hours imposed on a weak government by unions and the defunct Lord’s Day Observance Society; remove the Sunday restrictions in this Lord’s Day Non-observant country.

    Like

    Reply

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