Is Good Friday a Holiday in the USA?

[Russianwolf]

That would be a significant increase in hours worked for the US government!

Kind of ironic that they back down from too many majority religious Holidays but recognize a specific "minority" history month without recognizing any such months for other races or ethnicities that I'm aware of.

Just wait. If I recall, the Hispanics became the largest minority population as of the last census. We'll see if they demand their own month.

In the government's defence. The constitution says they can't endorse a religion, but nothing about endorsing a ethnic group (shrugs).

I'm sure I confused my company, as they recently required us to fill out the ethnicity forms again. You had to put your name on them, but could refuse to answer the questions. Well. It said "check all that apply" so I check three boxes, since I am 100% american mutt. might be more, but my mom hasn't found any asian ancestors, YET.

[JSCOOK]

Schools, Banks, Government, Post Office, here have both Friday & Monday off ... schools had Thursday off too for a PD day ...

All stores here are pretty much all closed on both Good Friday & Easter Sunday ... BORG has the garden center open only here in Ontario

I've learnt though that other Canadian Provinces in the west are open (Saskachewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and our French speaking Province of Quebec in the East)

[andrew.r.w]

Canadian government operations stop on Good Friday, which is nearly indistinguishable from their full-tilt mode. Places like schools and colleges, government liquor stores, and a lot of big union shops are closed. At our plant it's a stat holiday for the union and not for the staff. Staff get a floating holiday in lieu. Being staff I have the choice of taking a "floater" or saving it for another day.

It's usually pretty quiet around the plant on Good Friday, so I prefer to take a floater during a crisis when things are really insane.

[JSCOOK]

Canadian government operations stop on Good Friday, which is nearly indistinguishable from their full-tilt mode.

Isn't that the truth

What province are you in, can't be Ontario ...

[andrew.r.w]

Isn't that the truth

What province are you in, can't be Ontario ...

Northern BC. We still have snow on the ground.

[gabedad]

It is to me, and work is closed for the day. We'll be at church at least 3 times between last night and Easter Sunday. It seems to me that banks used to close early on Good Friday when I was a kid, but secularity may have erroded some of those traditions....it's embarrassing but I don't even know for sure!

It's disappointing to see the US Post Office delivering mail on Good Friday, but they'll take off for several other days that I consider far more minor Holidays.

I'm ticked that schools are closed. I am not christian - neither is my kid.

What happened to a separation of church and state? Not everyone is christian. Not everyone believes that Jesus is the savior.

Christmas should not be a federal holiday either.

Erroded traditions- Whose?

You want to practice your religion -feel free and more power to you. But why should I have to alter my lifestyle?

[Hellrazor]

This should start a good arguement...

Schools call this spring break. Christmas is now winter break. Like most other things in life everything has to be PC or some group is going to whine.

I don't care what someone wants to call it. I don't care how many people it annoys. Its still a holiday I don't have to work on and thats what matters.

[lrr]

Here in Canada today being Good Friday is a national holiday and everything is closed for the day (same with Easter Sunday).

I have the day off -- first time in a long time, but we have to call it "Spring Holiday" -- wouldn't want to offend anyone. My wife is a Fed, so they get almost every other day off ...



I did notice that the Carls Jr. in town is open all day on Easter. Good thing, nothing like a greasy burger on a religious holiday ...

[LCHIEN]

Dang! No wonder my first day of Day Trading isn't going so well....


Regards,
Tom

Well, haven't lost anything yet, then?

I guess you could describe this as a U.S. holiday for most schools, commercial and financial establishments.
Buts most retail stores and the Federal gov't are working. And of course, the Internet never sleeps.

[DonHo]

"Dang! No wonder my first day of Day Trading isn't going so well.... "

I'd say it's going pretty well, you probably haven't lost anything but your time

DonHo

[Alex Franke]

I have the day off.

What happened to a separation of church and state? ...Christmas should not be a federal holiday either...You want to practice your religion -feel free and more power to you. But why should I have to alter my lifestyle?

Sepearation of church and state? What about it? It's an idea written in a letter by Thomas Jefferson back in the day and mentioned by the Supreme Court just a handful of times since then. It essentially means that a church should not control the government and vice versa, but it isn't even a part of our constitution. And even if it were, I don't think that there's a control issue.

Personally, if my government wanted to make Flying Spaghetti Monster Day a federal holiday, I'd be delighted. I certainly wouldn't consider it an alteration of my lifestyle, unless of course my government were requiring me to worship the FSM.

So some of us get the day off -- so what. Nobody's forcing us to go to church. Call it "Good Friday Holiday" or "Spring Holiday" or "FSM Day" or whatever you want -- doesn't matter to me. It's another day off and that's always nice to have.

My USD$0.02...

[MilDoc]

Schools here closed, banks open. Military "training holiday," meaning you're off if not "essential personnel" (or your commander says 'Get to work!'). Doesn't apply to medical folks tho', so I just got home from clinic.

[leehljp]

THIS IS ABOUT TO GET LOCKED DOWN BEFORE IT ESCALATES.

"Holidays" can be discussed and even ones that are religious in nature, but when someone turns this into a "My Feelings" contest, then everyone gets locked out!

"Separation of Church and State" and a person's "personal affiliation in regards religious speak" are OFF LIMITS.

A wise person can keep "one's feelings" out of a discussion if one wants too.

JUST BE CAREFULL!

[Pappy]

I was thinking the same thing, Hank. Too close to breaching the furom guidelines.

I have my personal views that I will be glad to discuss one on one, but not here.

When do we get Indian History Moon? We were here FIRST!

[Ed62]

That's exactly why I haven't joined in on this thread.

Ed