Stop gambling at religious centers First published: Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Cornelius Murray’s indignant letter of July 1 in opposition to the Legislature’s bending the rules on gambling in New York state neglected to express any indignation about the widespread presence of bell jars, raffles, bingo and other forms of gambling in many of our places of worship.
Responsible churches and synagogues regard such gambling activities as ethically unacceptable and morally degrading because the activities seek material gain at a neighbor’s expense, violate the work ethic, foster an attitude of getting something for nothing, can become addictive, and provide the breeding ground for more advanced forms of gambling.
Cornelius Murray and his gambling opponents need to shift their attention from legislators to religious centers by urging places of worship to abandon gambling activities and return to their sacred mission of promoting clean, wholesome living.
I personally don't think gambling should be a part of a church festa. OLA probably has them all beat. They could be their own little casino. All they need is to be on an indian reservation.
Don't get me wrong, I like to dabble in a little gambling now and then. I like to go to the casino's a couple of times a year. I play the lotto once in awhile. But at a church? Nah, not there!
Isn't there a place in the Bible where Jesus went into a synagog and toppled all of the gambling tables? Jesus was clearly against gambling in the 'house of God'. I think that story may be in the same Bible the Catholic Church based it's religion on, isn't it?
I personally don't think gambling should be a part of a church festa. OLA probably has them all beat. They could be their own little casino. All they need is to be on an indian reservation.
Don't get me wrong, I like to dabble in a little gambling now and then. I like to go to the casino's a couple of times a year. I play the lotto once in awhile. But at a church? Nah, not there!
Isn't there a place in the Bible where Jesus when into a synagog and toppled all of the gambling tables? Jesus was clearly against gambling in the 'house of God'. I think that story may be in the same Bible the Catholic Church based it's religion on, isn't it?
First, let me come right out and say, I am NOT bashing a bumble here ... this is not intended toward YOU personally.
This is exactly what I mean when I say it's open season on Catholics. I dare you to substitute ANY of the following words into the above post and not be labeled a hater, basher, or politically incorrect:
Jews Muslims Hindus Protestants Buddhists or even ATHEISTS
Every one of those groups has gambling - maybe not in the church proper, but church SANCTIONED gambling at Bingo Halls, bus trips to casinos, etc.
At OLA (when it used to be good, I haven't been in years), they had pull off tabs, wheels of chance, etc .. hardly "hard core" gambling or "casino-like". It may have changed - a lot has changed in that parish, not always for the good.
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Isn't there a place in the Bible where Jesus when into a synagog and toppled all of the gambling tables?
Synagogue's are Jewish houses of worship - how exactly did you relate this to "Catholic Churches being little casinos" (to paraphrase).
Again, I'm not picking on you - but can you see how lately it's ALL against the Catholic Church - even if you ARE Catholic, it's popular to be ANTI-Catholic.
Thank God I never hung out with the "popular" crowd. I like my religion like I like my politics - conservative.
Vivat Jesus Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree In Him, all things are possible
This is about the silliest accusation I have ever heard. This a thought process of some one tha really needs to look at thier own life-
What you are referring to is not gambling- it is entertainment- I have worked around the " gaming " industry- as it is called in the business for the last 15 years- however in a design- special effect capacity-
Its about as differnt as lunch at Hooters and going to a strip club-
WHOA there people, hang on. In the beginning of my post I said that 'I personally....'. I use to be Catholic when I was a kid, but I am no longer one although that is irrelevant. I also did not change due to their gambling (entertainment) practices at their festas. I am not Catholic bashing...I am only following the lead subject of the first post.
Sorry folks...it is my PERSONAL OPINION, that 'lady luck' should have no place in the way a church, in this case Catholic church, raises money. I don't care how religiously conservative someone is or how long someone has worked in or around the gaming industry. That also is irrelevant. This is my PERSONAL OPINION. Got it!
Oh dear ... this is exactly why I started my post off with "First, let me come right out and say, I am NOT bashing a bumble here ... this is not intended toward YOU personally."
Sorry if I offended or struck a nerve bumble. I wasn't "accusing" you here - just the GENERAL concept of catholic bashing.
I'm sorry to hear you left the church tho. I hope you've found what you're looking for.
Vivat Jesus Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree In Him, all things are possible
Where did the writer of that letter get the idea that the church is using gambling for material gain? For crying out loud! He is so ignorant. Churches and schools have bingo and raffles and such to raise money so they can pay the heat bills in their buildings, or pay the insurance, or pay for books for the libaray, or keep the tuition costs down a bit.
What's the big deal if you fill your name out on a piece of paper, pay your dollar and put the paper in the box in hopes of winning a quilt that someone made by hand. Or you'd really like to win that basket containing soaps, bubble bath, and lotions so you by the 5 tickets for $3 (instead of a dollar a chance).
Better the church get those few dollars than the state.
Can anyone imagine what it would be like around here without St. Anthony's Festa? Or without that Polish festival in Latham? Or without the Greek festival on Whitehall Rd in Albany?
We don't blame liquor stores for people becoming alcoholics. We don't blame pharmacies when someone get's addicted to drugs. Churches hardly are to blame if someone has major financial problems due to gambling.
THAT is why our foundation has crumbled...and NYS can only get revenue from the lotto and higher taxes......we like to gamble with subprime too......once that line or door-jam is crossed---(Hooters/Strip club) the house falls and the pendulum swings back to the dark ages after passing the logic of center......
Catholic bashing only because the Vatican has a vote in the UN and the Vatican isn't even a country......let's put into perspective.....as for the rest of the 'institutions'---they all like to gamble for dead peoples garments......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
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