Councillors on the Western Isles could be forced to abandon a centuries-old religious tradition of keeping sports and community centres closed on a Sunday because it breaches new equality legislation, the Guardian has learned. The islands of Lewis, Harris and North Uist are the last places in the UK where publicly owned and lottery-funded facilities such as leisure centres, golf courses, school grounds and community halls are closed because of sabbatarianism, which bans work and play on Sundays on religious grounds. The tradition, promoted vigorously by the staunchly protestant Free Church and the Church of Scotland, has caused deep divisions on the islands and bitter rows between pro-opening campaigners and senior figures in the church and council.

Pray: for God to be the authority and have the last word in this dispute. (Gen.2:3)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/31/western-isles-sunday-laws-equality-act