Mar

Tuesday Town Hall 25…Gambling?

Posted by: Sonny in Belief, Sin, Townhall Tuesday

tues-town-ha3ll I missed all but the last seconds of a news report about the legalization of gambling in my state, Alabama, a couple of hours ago. What I did see was the statistics proclaiming that 67% of the residents here approved of it. Gambling, to my knowledge is not addressed specifically in the bible.

I know there are arguments about the addictions and abuses of gambling. I also know some people are addicted to and abuse other things like cheeseburgers and donuts. So leaving the ideas about addictions aside I propose the following questions for discussion.

Is all gambling wrong in Gods eyes and why?

How do you justify your views?

If you were in charge would you receive offerings from the winnings of a gambler or lottery player?

What say you?

Love you all

Tags: addictions, cheeseburgers, Discussion, donuts, gambler, God, Knowledge, legalization of gambling, lottery player, offerings, state alabama, town hall, Tuesday

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 12:35 am and is filed under Belief, Sin, Townhall Tuesday. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

19 comments so far

John

you’ll be surprised to know that i have no problem with gambling. I feel that gambling is fine as long as you control it not it controling you. Alabama needs to get the lottery here….as it is we are helping to support Georgia,Florida, and Tennessee. Our own education system could sure use that money were giving to them! I will gladly accept money from any gambler or lottery winner.

March 31st, 2009 at 5:58 pm

Sonny

Thanks for the comment John. I guess this is not of much interest to many people.

Love you

April 1st, 2009 at 12:11 pm

Nancy Massey

I know this is strange comming from me but what is the difference in playing video bingo and bingo for small prizes? Isn’t gambling–gambling? When I helped with a donation drawing (raffle) I was told not to call it a raffle when announcing it over the intercom system.

I think that as long as you control it and it doesn’t control you it is fine.

Love ya,

Nancy

April 1st, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Sonny

Nancy,

It does surprise me but it doesn’t that you might think this way. Thanks

Love you

April 1st, 2009 at 11:09 pm

Dee Prince

Sonny,
I guess I would fall into the 33% that would not vote to legalize gambling. I do not beleive Christains should participate in gambling. Usaully, where there is gambling, there is temptation to indulge in the other sins as well. I look at gambling the same way I look at drinking, lying, doing drugs or any other vice that does not glorify God. God said to present my body as a living sacrifice, not to live it up and donate to the cause of the sacrifice. Most of the people who buy lottery tickets can not afford to pay their bills and they get caught up in a “chance” for more money. God says you can not serve 2 masters. I do not want to serve money.

I trust God to meet my needs.

Dee

April 2nd, 2009 at 11:42 am

Christie

I am from a state that has had legalized gambling for as long as I can remember. I can not think of anything good that has come from it. They also said the money was for the schools, they lied. It was for the people in charge. They got great vacations, homes, etc while the students had to learn how to make 2 or 3 books do for a whole class. With gambling you have more fleshly sins that are allowed to be accepted. Look at Las Vegas, they sell hookers on the street legally. The crime rate is extremey high. People loose themselves and then they grow cold. With gambling it is not only the small players involved, you got to remember money brings in the crime rings and so forth. I know this may sound extreme but watch the news. Do we really want Alabama to turn into that? The other states mentioned like MISS that have lottery on still on the bottom as far as education. Where is there money going?

April 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 am

Nancy M

If we want to do away with temptation all together we need to look at what is out there and is legal. Clothing stores should only sale knee length shorts and t-shirts now–Pornorgraphy is sold in video and book stores and I think it is readilly available on the web. The web also promotes so many other temptations–should it be controlled. Oh yea, lets not forget to mention buffet tables. Sorry Dee I do know what you mean by avoiding temptation but I think individuals will do what they want wether things are legal or not. Look at the cases of child molestation, murder, theft, slander–the list goes on. It is up to us to turn away, be led by God. Sometimes the more you deny people the right to choose the more tempting a thing is. There is already legalized gambling here in the state–video bingo just to mention one. You can call a pig a sow, a hog or Babe but in the end it is still just a pig. Would the state benefit from legallized gambling across the board? I’m not sure I haven’t really studied it out but I do know that those that want to gamble will gamble–legally or other wise.

Surprise again Sonny.

Love ya,

Nancy

April 3rd, 2009 at 8:29 am

Sonny

Go Nancy Go

April 3rd, 2009 at 10:24 am

Dee Prince

Nancy,

Yes, it is true people will find a way to indulge, legal or not. I agree with Christie that said gambling in the state where she grew up only lined the pockets of those in charge. It did nothing to help the schools. I am opposed to gambling and as a Christian, I will not vote for it. I do not frequent book stores that promote phornography, nor do I access it on the internet. I know it is available, but I choose not to go there.Yes, I can call sin anything I want to and it is still sin. Most Americans have the attitude if I want to do it, nothing or not one will stop me. Least of all, God and the commandments he gave us for righteous living.

I am surprised with the views of the people that I go to church with. Just because people choose to gamble, legal or not does not make it right no more than the child molestation, murder, theft or slander.

Sonny, was the cheer you gave Nancy one to put me in my place?

I know my views are a little old fashioned but I try to stand for God. He is the same today, yesterday and forever. Gambling in my opinion is a form of idolatry and we are warned against that too.

Dee

April 6th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

Sonny

I cheered Nancy simply for thinking outside of traditional thought and was not trying to take sides on this issue. As you might have noticed, I sometimes just sit back and watch. We are all able to come to a conclusion about things that is OUR OWN and not just someone elses that we have just adopted as our own. I, as you know, continually challenge all to think on their own, with Gods word as the only guide, for sure. But everyone’s prior decisions about what the bible says does not make them right. I am not saying what I feel about gambling just yet. I just proposed the question and am only cheering Nancy for thinking on her own, presenting her view no matter what, and helping further the discussion. There is no discussion if we all agree and for far to long, a few have seemed to shut the mouths of most.

Your views fascinate me as much as anyone’s. And just like my own, some may be seen as extreme. But some people see Jesus being the only way as extreme. Keep up the discussion and do not be offended.

Love you all

April 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm

Christie

Straight and narrow is the path. If we keep expanding the road, then we are doing an injustice to those that look to us for direction. God’s people are suppose to be that, God’s people. We are suppose to LOVE people, not their sin. If we keep telling people that all is acceptable and God will love us anyway, we are nothing by liars.

April 8th, 2009 at 10:52 am

Dee Prince

Sonny,
I am not offended. I do however think I might have to be careful when I “speak my mind”. I know some of my views are extreme. I try very hard to live my life like Christ would want me to. I want to be an example for those who know Christ and those who do not know him.

I do not agree with gambling but I know there are those that think it is fine. There are a lot of other vices that I do not participate in nor do I agree with those that do. I think as Christians we are to be “set apart” and that means that we will not be allowed to participate in some things that seem to be okay for those who call themselves Christians to indulge in. I am not their judge, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Dee

April 8th, 2009 at 10:33 pm

Sonny

Go Dee Go

April 8th, 2009 at 10:38 pm

Sonny

By the way, Christie’s post was the 1000th comment here on this blog so…

Go Christie Go

And a real, heartfelt thanks to all of you that have made this site so worthwhile for me. I hope in some way we are doing something to further and enhance the Kingdom.

Love you all

April 8th, 2009 at 10:42 pm

Chris

Late to the discussion, but why not. Let’s bring back the oldies.

Simple questions if anyone is interested…

1. Is investing in the stock market gambling?

1. Are the investment in retirement funds gambling?

What do you think?

If you answered no to either question and you are opposed to gambling then you are probably not going to like what I have to say, and you might be a hypocrite.

Investing in the stock market is paying money to try to make money with no guarantee.

Retirement funds are the same way.

If you are opposed to gambling think about the definition of the term.

**gamble: to stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance.**

Stocks and retirement funds are not guaranteed, and therefore involve a risk. Just because they have a fancy name does not make them any less risky.

I have gone to casinos and I have played the lottery. It is fun, and when done in moderation it is perfectly fine.

God says don’t fall in love with money, but that can apply to any venture in our lives. A superstar athlete gets lots of money, and is tempted just like a gambler.

A wealthy business man takes lots of risks and has the same temptations.

With anything, we have the free will to do what is right or wrong. In this case it is only wrong if used for the wrong reasons.

Chris

May 8th, 2009 at 12:42 am

Anthony

Wow, I’m really late on this one. I can understand the views of all parties here. The problem I see that most Christians have about gambling is the addictive nature. I know I’m not necessarily the one to talk about addiction, but I do know that any addiction you put before God is a sin. Gambling falls into that category. If God tells you to donate a thousand dollars to your church or any other church or charity, and you gamble instead….you might have a problem. Gambling is not the problem, it’s the extreme views on both sides that are. I’m not trying to offend anyone here. Just because you have an addiction to gambling, doesn’t mean everyone else does or will. I don’t gamble often. From time to time I may do a sports wager here and play poker there, but not ever to the point of destruction. Temptation will always be there for each of us. If you have a problem with gambling, then I hope God will curb that temptation for you. That’s the same with anything that will cause you to sin. I personally have a very addictive personality. I will find some extra curricular activity and stay on it for about 3 months or so, and when I find another hobby the last one isn’t touched again unless it’s a time to time thing. From online poker and sports wagers, to genealogy and family history, to organizing screws…. yes I said organizing screws. I know I have some addictions, but my addiction(s) never come before God, and if someone may be offended by anything, I do my best to keep it away from them. Our church has had “raffles” and auctions. If we are going to view gambling as wrong, then why do we participate in some form or fashion. I know many people that will by a raffle ticket from a child to help the child, but even with those good intentions, if gambling is completely wrong, they just sinned. If we are ever going to get out of the stereotypes that people outside the church see, then we need to pick either on or off. You can’t say it’s wrong and then do it. That’s a little hypocritical. I’m sorry, it’s that simple.

May 31st, 2009 at 11:36 am

Chris

Not that you need my approval Anthony, but I agree completely.

June 1st, 2009 at 10:02 am

Anthony

Thank you Chris. This has always been a touchy subject for most people. For some reason people tend to hold that same views on this subject as their parents had. I’m not saying that’s wrong, but who are we to tell people what they can and can not do? I know I have my faults, and I do my best to steer clear of the things that could be more that a hobby or what not, if I know it will turn into something that can damage myself in the eyes of God. My problem is that when we vote on laws such as gambling, people tend to think they are right about their views, and if they aren’t going to do it, no one can. I understand there are people that get addicted to gambling to the point that they waste away their money. I also know some people that have done that with tupperware (and all other home sales programs), art work, vehicles, houses, drugs, alcohol, and hunting. Yes I said it. I’m sorry, but why in the world are we going to vote no on a lottery and then drive to any state around us and get a lottery ticket? I’ve seen people do it, and know they voted no. Kinda hypocritical. I just don’t understand people these days. We live in a country that seems to care less about what the Bible says and tends to work from each person’s own agenda. Or at least that’s the way it seems in good ole Alabama, I can’t speak for the rest of the states.

June 1st, 2009 at 11:21 am

Anthony

Forgot something….

Who are we to say that gambling is such a problem when most of us put a caffeine addiction before God every morning before we thank him for another day that he’s given us. Can we get past being hypocritical? Once we all get past our hypocritical ways, then it might be clear that we are have more artificial biblical views than we choose to believe.

June 1st, 2009 at 11:34 am