The American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is everything the hopeless retail and entertainment addict could ever wish for. Sprawling over 3 million square feet, the establishment hosts over 450 retailers and boasts North America’s largest indoor water park, a Lego discovery playground, a massive arcade, an ice-skating rink, a movie theater, a ropes obstacle course, an indoor ski resort, and the list goes on and on.
What’s more is that after experiencing the dizzying array of shops and activities, you can use the last of your strength to crawl to the nearest dining option, of which there are over 100, and refuel with your favorite food—that is, if you have any money left to foot the bill.
In October 2019, American Dream opened its doors, and while food and entertainment options were available seven days a week, the mall kept its other retail outlets closed on Sundays. That’s because, in Bergen County, where American Dream operates, all retail stores, including several other shopping malls, abide by “blue laws,” also known as Sunday laws. These laws, which have been on the books since the 17th century, restrict the sale of non-essential items on Sundays, such as clothing, electronics, and furniture, among other things.
Things changed about a year ago when American Dream began ignoring the blue laws and opening all its retail stores on Sundays. NorthJersey.com reports that “Don Ghermezian, CEO of Triple Five, the Canadian company that owns American Dream, said in a statement that the mall is ‘ecstatic that our extensive list of offerings operates on Sundays, allowing everyone to enjoy the very best of American Dream whenever they want.’”
This move has upset Bergen County officials, who are now exploring ways to force the mall to follow the same rules as other retailers.
The Blue Law Blues
Blue laws originated in 17th-century Puritan New England. They were enacted to enforce religious observance and moral conduct, especially on Sundays, which was mistakenly thought to be the “Christian Sabbath.” (Learn about attempts to change the Sabbath.) The laws included restrictions on commerce, travel, and recreation.
Over time, many blue laws have been relaxed, ignored, or erased from the books. However, in some places, like Bergen County, the government still observes and actively supports them. In the case of American Dream’s disregard for the laws, county officials believe the mall is gaining an unfair advantage over other retail centers.
Christopher DiPazza, the mayor of nearby Paramus, NJ, says the borough is considering legal action against American Dream. According to TapInto.net, “The mayor said he is willing to sit with American Dream representatives and discuss the matter prior to litigation, but he’s going to ‘dig in’ because it’s an important issue for Paramus residents and business owners. ‘For decades our malls have been closed and it’s been a level playing field. Now it’s suddenly not,’ he said.”
Whether he will succeed in forcing the retail monolith to comply with the centuries-old laws remains to be seen.
The Problem With Sunday Laws
Although blue laws originated as an effort to enforce religious beliefs, many modern proponents argue they have other benefits. These include encouraging rest and family time, reducing businesses’ environmental impact, decreasing noise and traffic congestion, and promoting a healthier lifestyle that allows people to disconnect from constant consumerism and work.
While it’s true that observing a weekly day of rest can have all these positives and more, is it safe for the government to choose that day for society and then force it on them? In the case of Sunday laws, they appear to favor one group: Christians who have traditionally honored Sunday as a day of worship.
In a country that has committed itself to the separation of church and state, some believe Sunday laws blur the line. They view such laws as “respecting an establishment of religion,” which our constitution forbids, and argue that Americans are better left to choose for themselves whether they will buy, sell, rest, or work on Sunday or any other day of the week.
A Dangerous Advocate
Pope Francis has long supported Sunday as a worldwide day of rest. In his encyclical, “Laudato si’,” the pope said, “The Sabbath, in its essence, is a day of rest, which gives us an opportunity to rest and refocus, nourishing both our souls and our bodies.”
True, the Sabbath is a day of rest, but that day is not Sunday, as the pope promotes. The true Bible Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, Saturday (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown). It’s the same day Jesus kept and also the day that modern Jews observe, as well as some Christian groups. From Genesis to Revelation, the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week. Although, there has been an attempt to change it (Daniel 7:25).
The Convert’s Catechism of Catholic Doctrine by Reverend Peter Giermann reveals the following:
“Question: Which is the Sabbath day?
Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day.
Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?
Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church in the Council of Laodicea transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.”
The pope, of course, is aware of this “change.” And although in “Laudato si’,” he promotes Sunday rest for the “greater good” of our “common home,” could he have a more concerning agenda?
Learn more here.
This article contributed by John Cloud