Georgia Votes in Sunday Liquor Sales

There are very few places left in the United States that do not allow the sale of liquor at all, and very few that do not allow it on Sundays. This comes from the past where the great majority of people in the state had a view of Sunday as the “go to meeting” day or “the Lord’s Day.” As time has passed, and the percentage of people who believe that way has dwindled, the question has repeatedly come up: why not sell liquor on Sundays too?”

Those who are over 50 remember when most stores and businesses were closed on Sundays also. The debate has been going on for years and has really heated up as state after state has changed their views, causing more Georgians to envy their neighbors.

Finally, the politicians here in our state decided to let the people vote, city by city and county by county, on what they preferred in their communities. As a result, 105 of the 137 communities that took a vote chose to end the Sunday restriction on alcohol. Some celebrated – with a get-together at the local liquor store.

Some are against it because they believe the Bible says it’s wrong to drink at all. Others don’t see a compelling reason why people can’t wait another day to go to buy what they want or need. Some think it will lead to more drunkenness and more drunk driving, particularly since it is on the weekend when there is more leisure time available.

Those who are for it can’t see a reason why the revenue shouldn’t stay in the locality instead of people driving over the county line to make their purchases. They also see it as a form of freedom that should be allowed if this is not their particular belief. Joseph Davis, age 69, says that he sold bootleg alcohol decades ago and he figures that if people want to drink, they will find a way.

Of course, more sales on Sunday means more people working on Sunday, and that is also a negative for those who see it as a day for worship and fellowship.