As some reader will be aware there is a vigorous debate just now in the Isle of Lewis over proposed Sabbath sailings for the roll-on roll-off ferry service. Initially claiming Equality Legislation as a basis for the service, those in favour have now shifted ground to any number of reasons.

Methinks she doth protest too much

Either way the proliferation of reasons suggests two things:

1. 1.The failure of the first reason (Equality Laws) to carry through the debate
   

2. 2.The determination of many to force through a Sabbath sailing on whatever grounds they can.
   

Yet this whole debate made me wonder - what kind of first-day-of-the-week do people want? And what would it look like if we got our wish?

Below are some thoughts.

Clearly there are two visions being put forward for our island community just now. Neither of them is a present reality of course. Much as Christians long to see a full and blessed Sabbath kept across the whole community, that is far from reality. Likewise, just as many wish to see a fully commercialised Lord’s Day, that too is not a reality.

Yet which would you prefer?

The Christian vision is clear. It is for a day of rest for everyone, apart from those whose work is needed and merciful. That means closed shops, with checkout workers having a break. It means no need for the extra subsidies required to service bus routes, sports facilities, and road works. All these people get a weekly break, a day of peace and quiet. Churches open their doors and the community gathers to adore their God and to meet together, with everyone all on a level. Before God we are at our most equal. Social cohesion and community benefits inevitably flow.

It means families all together, guaranteed, for at least this one day per week, as far as that is possible.

On the other hand there are those amongst us who have a different vision. They want a day of business as usual. A day that is in no way different from the other six, a day that has no special enjoyment more than the other six. The week would be without a highlight, without a start or an end. Weeks flows meaninglessly into each other and people droop under the endless monotony of life. Golf is the highlight of the day. Lorries rumble through our streets on the once quiet Sabbath. Warehouse rollers clatter open and labouring staff need to get paid extra to be motivated for the work that they used to do anyway during the rest of the week.

They want a place where ferries run seven days, but is it to let folk onto the island or for them to get off? They want to see their parents, grandparents, friends and some family members lose something that they have loved and cherished for decades. They want to see folk entering the doors for worship, while sadly shaking their heads at the lorries going by. They want to live in a place where it is more difficult for families to get time together, to all be off work at the same time. Professing to be such guardians of family life they seem to bitterly resent actually having to take a Monday off work to come home and visit them.

They want to take away from us the gift of God’s day.

Once again: which vision do you prefer?