THE EDITOR, Sir:
GAMBLING HAS become a means of making a living by some in our modern world. However, it is defined as a paid game of chance. The concept of winning at the expense of others has become a modern curse. Society pays the escalating cost of associated crime, victim support and family breakdown which erodes the quality of life. The Church should consistently oppose gambling as it is incompatible with Christian principles. It is not an appropriate form of entertainment or a legitimate means of raising funds. It violates family values of stewardship.
God identifies work as the appropriate method for gaining material benefit. Gambling has a massive impact on the family and society. It introduces laziness to our youthful population and stifles honesty in everyday business deals. We have on our hands financial costs resulting from crime committed to pay for the gambling habit, increased policing, and legal expenses, as well as associated crimes involving drugs, guns and prostitution.
FEW WINNERS IN GAMBLING
Gambling does not generate income; rather it takes from those who often can ill afford to lose and gives to a few winners, the greatest winner, of course, being the gambling operators, who are in it not to lose. The idea that gambling operations can have a positive economic benefit is an illusion. Gambling violates the Christian sense of responsibility for family, neighbours, the needy and the Church - 1 Thess. 4: 11; Gen. 3:19; Matt.19: 21. Gambling is addictive and the addiction is clearly incompatible with a Christian lifestyle. The Church should seek to help, not blame, those suffering from gambling or other addiction. Christians should always remember that they are responsible before God for their resources and lifestyle - 1 Tim. 6: 17; Heb. 11:1; 1 Tim. 6:6.
The church should not condone raffles or lotteries to raise funds and it should encourage its members not to participate in any such activities, however well-intentioned. Nor should the Church condone state-sponsored gambling. I use this medium to appeal to all entities involved in gambling to be aware of the damaging effects on individual and society. I further suggest that the Church should not solicit nor accept funding that is clearly derived from gambling.
The unstable society which we have today is not because the politicians are not doing their best in initiating jobs and getting rid of crime. The problem is still as a result of the little bad habits that are practised every day in our society, which are giving off gigantic waves of problems.
I am, etc.,
LEROY SEWELL
Minister of Religion
Falmouth, Trelawny
