Posted on: Friday, March 25, 2005

EDITORIAL
Good Friday should not be a public holiday

Thousands of Christians today will observe Good Friday, a solemn and sacred commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

It also is one of 13 paid holidays on state and county calendars.

Having a religious day as a state holiday has the approval of the highest court in the land: The U.S. Supreme Court more than a decade ago rejected arguments that the holiday violated the constitutional separation of church and state.

The holiday affords Christians the opportunity to attend mid-day services, and we know that many do.

But in this most diverse of states, it's important to recognize that there are days equally sacred or special to other religions, which are not designated as paid holidays.

We recognize the sanctity of Good Friday and believe all employers, public and private, should make it possible for Christians to attend church on that day. They also should allow those of other faiths to take time off for solemn religious observances on other days.

The Legislature should consider taking Good Friday off the state holiday calendar and give state and county workers one paid holiday a year to be used for whichever occasion — whether religious or not — the worker chooses.