true a public holiday is a public holiday, but sometimes we should sit back and reflect and understand why these days are public holidays and what they mean.
No, not when it is for religious reasons, absolutely not. No-one has the right to force (or even present) their religious beliefs on anyone and if you choose to disregard or reject religion for whatever reason then that is your prerogative. In this free (and very, very lucky country) you have the freedom to reflect and celebrate whatever is important to you on whatever day you wish for whatever reason you wish. No-one forces our society to observe customs for any other religion - Islamic, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu etc etc but by forcing the closure of services or restriction to activities because of Christian beliefs we fly in the face of the very freedom and tolerance we espouse and cherish.
this is the problem with society today. nothing has meaning anymore and respect is quickly escaping western culture
Don't restrict your comment to western culture - lack of respect and meaning is endemic throughout the modern world - probably the only places left where this doesn't apply are in the remote areas of 'third world' (a horrible term) countries where supposed civilization hasn't had much opportunity to tarnish and pollute yet. If you want to find the 'problem' with our society today then look closer to home - the breakdown of family, the breakdown of social morals, the decrease in education standards, the increase in chemical dependence - that's where you will find the real problems with society today.
</ OT social commentary rant>
