CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY APRIL 22, 2023
IN THE FILM “CHARIOTS OF FIRE” THE ACTOR WHO PLAYS ERIC LIDDELL CHANNEL’S LIDDELL’S CONVICTION THAT HE SHOULDN’T RUN ON SUNDAY. LIDDELL’S DECISION PUT HIS OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL IN JEOPARDY. IF YOU’VE SEEN THE FILM, OR KNOW THE STORY, YOU KNOW THE OUTCOME BROUGHT – AND STILL BRINGS – GLORY TO GOD.
NOW WE HAVE A CASE IN WHICH A POSTAL WORKER HAS REFUSED TO WORK ON SUNDAY. HE, TOO, IS WHAT IS CALLED A SABBATH KEEPER. HIS NAME IS GERALD GOFF. AFTER INITIALLY AGREEING TO DO SO, HIS SUPERIORS BEGAN DISCIPLINING HIM FOR REFUSING TO WORK ON SUNDAYS. LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE HE HAS HAD TO GO TO COURT FOR RELIEF UNDER THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, WHICH PROTECTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
THE CASE LIKELY WILL END UP AT THE SUPREME COURT. OTHER RELIGIOUS BELIEVERS ARE ACCOMODATED, FROM THE CLOTHES THEY WEAR TO THEIR HOLIDAYS. MY CELLPHONE CALENDAR HAS ALL THE MUSLIM HOLIDAYS LISTED, ALONG WITH CHRISTIAN ONES AND EVEN THE ATHEIST NATIONAL HOLIDAY, APRIL FIRST.
MR. GOFF SAYS HE WILL WORK ANY OTHER SCHEDULE THAT ALLOWS HIM TO TAKE SUNDAY OFF TO WORSHIP GOD IN THE MANNER HE BELIEVES IS REQUIRED OF HIM. HE SHOULD BE ACCOMMODATED. I SUSPECT THE SUPREME COURT WILL AGREE. WE’LL SEE. I’M CAL THOMAS.
