Lewdness Quotes
strict and intrusive law enforcement (See {595406})
At the time, the chief executive of these states were called Presidents because they presided over the legislature as well. This proclamation was issued before the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and the later ratification separating church and state. However, even after the Constitution was ratified some states continued to use state law to enforce the Christian Sabbath. That practice would continue in some places until the 2nd half of the 20th century.
This establishment and enforcement of the Christian Sabbath was really made unconstitutional when the Constitution including the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1789. None the less, many communities in the United States maintained laws and law enforcement regarding the Christian Sabbath (called “Blue Laws”) for years. It was only into the 20th century before the practice died out after a number of cases were declared unconstitutional. Even into the 20th century, there are occasional cases where communities try and use the civil law to enforce their religious beliefs about the Sabbath. There was even a Jewish community in upstate New York which passed laws enforcing the Jewish Sabbath on Saturday. That also was a violation of the First Amendment and thus was unconstitutional.
