The Stock Market Closes on Good Friday
The stock market, with the exception a only three years, closes on Good Friday. These days, it seems a bit of an anachronism. You hardly know religion exists in the world of commerce.
But years ago - in the "good old days" - people were not shy about their religious beliefs. In fact, there was a time when most stores were closed on Sundays, simply because most people in the U.S. were Christian and Sunday is considered "the Lord's Day" - specifically a day to rest.
Growing up, I lived with Jews and many of them observed the Sabbath - for them Saturday. In fact, even today, stores in certain sections of Manhattan which are owned by observant Jews are closed on Saturday - and open up again on Sunday.
A good indication of how far we are from the days when people lived their faith more consciously - and conscientiously - is the entry in "wikianswers.com" to the question "Why is the stock market closed on Good Friday?" The entry notes that, with the exception of 1898, 1906 and 1907, the stock market, since it's inception, has been closed on Good Friday. (It doesn't say why the market was open on these three exceptional days. I suspect it had to do with extraordinary circumstances at the time. One example of which I'm aware would be the Panic of 1907.)
But then the writer comments that "...Apparently being open only 7 hours/day, 5 days a week, when most people are at work and so can't even place trades, was not good enough for these people. It is expected that they will begin wanting daily nap hours at noon next."
What an ignorant comment, eh? Whoever wrote this either doesn't know or understand Christianity, or - worse - was raised a Christian and has no clue what Good Friday is all about. I have no idea, but was a bit surprised by the comment.
In any case, I'm glad the tradition continues. Who knows, maybe some people will wonder why it continues and discover or re-discover their religious traditions - even practice their faith. The world could certainly use more people practicing their faith, don't you think?
As for me, I'll be taking a break from posting this week. It's a special time in my faith known as Holy Week. And my Jewish friends will be observing Passover this week. I hope you observe this week appropriately, whatever you're religious tradition might be. It's good to take a break in some way from the world of commerce and spend time with the really important things. And nothing, frankly, is more important than your spiritual life.
With that thought, I'll sign off until after Easter - with a Happy Easter and Happy Passover to you all.
But years ago - in the "good old days" - people were not shy about their religious beliefs. In fact, there was a time when most stores were closed on Sundays, simply because most people in the U.S. were Christian and Sunday is considered "the Lord's Day" - specifically a day to rest.
Growing up, I lived with Jews and many of them observed the Sabbath - for them Saturday. In fact, even today, stores in certain sections of Manhattan which are owned by observant Jews are closed on Saturday - and open up again on Sunday.
A good indication of how far we are from the days when people lived their faith more consciously - and conscientiously - is the entry in "wikianswers.com" to the question "Why is the stock market closed on Good Friday?" The entry notes that, with the exception of 1898, 1906 and 1907, the stock market, since it's inception, has been closed on Good Friday. (It doesn't say why the market was open on these three exceptional days. I suspect it had to do with extraordinary circumstances at the time. One example of which I'm aware would be the Panic of 1907.)
But then the writer comments that "...Apparently being open only 7 hours/day, 5 days a week, when most people are at work and so can't even place trades, was not good enough for these people. It is expected that they will begin wanting daily nap hours at noon next."
What an ignorant comment, eh? Whoever wrote this either doesn't know or understand Christianity, or - worse - was raised a Christian and has no clue what Good Friday is all about. I have no idea, but was a bit surprised by the comment.
In any case, I'm glad the tradition continues. Who knows, maybe some people will wonder why it continues and discover or re-discover their religious traditions - even practice their faith. The world could certainly use more people practicing their faith, don't you think?
As for me, I'll be taking a break from posting this week. It's a special time in my faith known as Holy Week. And my Jewish friends will be observing Passover this week. I hope you observe this week appropriately, whatever you're religious tradition might be. It's good to take a break in some way from the world of commerce and spend time with the really important things. And nothing, frankly, is more important than your spiritual life.
With that thought, I'll sign off until after Easter - with a Happy Easter and Happy Passover to you all.
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