p. 21 | Attempted Religious Legislation in Arizona

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 20, 1909

Attempted Religious Legislation in Arizona

By H. G. Thurston

ARIZONA still has no Sunday law, though during the recent session of our legislature, two attempts were made toward religious legislation. The first bill introduced was most harmless in appearance, but it contained the germ of all the evils which ever resulted from the enforcement of such acts. The second bill wore no mask, and asked that all the barber shops in this territory be closed on Sunday.

In spite of all that was done to enlighten the members of the House, they passed the first measure, though about one third of the members voted against it. We found in the Council some staunch friends of liberty, one of whom advised us to present a memorial against the bill. Accordingly we presented a memorial containing almost nine hundred words, and this was read in full when the bill came before the Council for final passage. By a large majority, the Council defeated the measure, thus showing that they would in no way sanction anything that savored of religious legislation or the restriction of religious rights in the least degree. The bill which wore no mask, died in the House, where it originated.

We can see the battle coming in Arizona, and shall keep awake to the times, hoping to use every opportunity to teach men the beauty of God's government, which recognizes the right of every man to choose when, how, and whom he will worship; and we believe tremendous strength to the cause of liberty will be gained when many noble men, who love liberty, learn that its principles are clearly taught in the Scriptures and are a fundamental in all divine doctrines. H. G. THURSTON.