Outline

I Introduction
1. Hook: Begin with a brief discussion of some of the problems with the Blue Laws, and gradually lead into the thesis.
2. Thesis: Although a time held tradition in many states, the Blue Laws are in direct violation of the Doctrine of the Separation of Church and State and therefore should not be perpetuated in American society.
3. Implications: Precisely why are the Blue Laws unconstitutional? What effect would a change in the blue laws have on the average American citizen?
II Background
1. Thoroughly discussed the Separation of Church and State from an ideological perspective. Include frequent allusions to the ideologies of the founding fathers as well as to the Constitution and other landmark documents in our nation’s history.
2. Briefly discuss the history of the blue laws.
III Unfair to different Religions
1. Include testimony by people of different religions who feel that this is unfair.
2. Discuss the American ideal of “equality for all.”
IV Fails to benefit Americans and sometimes hinders businesses.
1. Argue that forcing businesses to close on Sunday mornings does absolutely nothing to benefit Americans.
2. Show how businesses could make a lot more money by opening on Sunday mornings.
3. Argue that the average person only has two days off per week: Saturday and Sunday and to restrict what a person can and cannot do during ¼ of that time is absurd.
V Clear Religious Intent – contradicts Separation of Church and State
1. Explain how The Constitution creates the Doctrine of Separation of Church and State.
2. Argue that since the Blue Laws limit what one can buy before 1:30 on Sunday (when people are normally in church) as well as prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sunday, the Blue Laws were clearly motivated by religion even if the laws themselves do not establish a “state religion.”
3. Use quotes by politicians who support the Blue Laws with biblical references in order to demonstrate that religion did in fact influence the passage of the Blue Laws.
VI Counterarguments and Refutation
1. “America was founded on Christianity.” Counter this by saying that although the founding fathers were Christian, they wanted religious freedom for everyone; therefore they would not have condoned the Blue Laws.
2. “You can just until after 1:30 (or in the case of alcohol, after Sunday) to buy items.” Counter this by saying it is the principle that matters, and on principle, the Blue Laws should not be allowed simply on the basis of principle alone.
VII Conclusion
1. Recap the arguments developed in the paper, and tie everything together.

This outline provided a tentative plan for my research; however, the logical structure of the final paper contained some major differences from the plan given here.