A chara, - I see that the European Parliament has been discussing a revision of the Working Time Directive of 2003. I see also that the chairman of the parliament's committee on employment and social affairs has refused amendments tabled by a number of MEPs to include the protection of Sunday in the new directive.
While the recognition of Sunday arises from the practice of Christianity, the value of such a tradition goes far beyond any particular faith. Some people have jobs that necessarily entail Sunday work. It is true also that the day of rest was sometimes imposed too rigidly and became a burden. However, these facts should not prevent us from seeing the significant human values involved.
Human life is far too important to be subordinated to economic considerations. Without being too rigid about the matter, it is vital that human society be clearly seen as prior to productivity and economics. We do not live to work; we work to live. - Yours, etc,