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?
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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.
Single Party Tyranny Begins January 20, 2009 - Stay Tuned.
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!
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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.
Single Party Tyranny Begins January 20, 2009 - Stay Tuned.
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
when did it become a country??? and their only vote is on the 'conscience' of the world populace----what a shame......
The foreign relations of the Vatican are entrusted to the Holy See's Secretariat of State and diplomatic service.
The Holy See has been a permanent observer in the United Nations since 1964 and, in July 2004, gained all the rights of full membership except voting.[4] According to Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See Permanent Observer, “We have no vote because this is our choice.” He added that the Holy See considers that its current status “is a fundamental step that does not close any path for the future.
The Holy See is also a permanent observer of the following international organizations:
* Council of Europe in Strasbourg * International Organization for Migration (IOM) * International Labour Organization (ILO) * International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) * Latin Union (LU) * Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington * Organisation of African Unity (OAU) * United Nations * UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) * United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) * United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) * United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) * Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) * World Tourism Organization (WToO) * World Trade Organization (WTO) * World Health Organization (WHO) * World Food Programme (WFP)
Taken from Wikipedia.
Single Party Tyranny Begins January 20, 2009 - Stay Tuned.
The Vatican City may be small, but it is very powerful. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See, or the seat of the Catholic Church (basically its central government), which has over 1 billion people (about 1 in 6 people on the planet) as constituents.
The Vatican City was created in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty (which was signed by one of history’s most repressive dictators, Benito Mussolini) and is ruled by the Pope, basically a non-hereditary, elected monarch who rules with absolute authority (he’s the legislative, executive and judiciary all rolled into one) - indeed, the Pope is the only absolute monarch in Europe.
OLA generally has Blackjack, Roulette, and a few other "games of chance" at their big festa.
Ahhhh...those wholesome games that every member of the church family can enjoy together!!!
And if I remember correctly....they post a sign outside of the door that leads into the church 'entertainment room' that says, 'must be over 18 years old'.
Also if I remember correctly, OLA didn't have gambling entertainment one year and they didn't make out so well financially. So it is back by popular demand.
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
For a long time, now, I’ve had a big question for the Catholic churches in this region. Like, for instance, Our Lady of Assumption or Mount Carmel. Why does a big feast go on every year with a lot of gambling and drinking? Yes, of course, there’s fun things to do, like games, entertainment, rides, fried dough, good food, drinking and betting your money. But, wait, alcohol and gambling are definitely a sin in God’s eyes. I’ve been a believer and saved over 10 years now, and was always taught what the sinful things in life are. What kind of example are we setting for those who don’t believe? REBECCA DESANTIS Rotterdam Junction
Re Aug. 20 letter, “Church should not promote sinful activities”: The 2008 festa held this month [Aug. 8-10] at our Lady of the Assumption Church in Rotterdam was a parish event that was enjoyed by the community. Yes, we sold beer and wine and had games of chance for the adults. Both required permits from the local and New York state agencies and were executed with great control. The highlights of the event were actually the homemade food, entertainment and the chance to slow down and spend time with friends and family. The money raised from this event helps support a position in our church that provides community outreach for the sick and elderly in our parish. The leftover food from this year’s festa was donated to the Schenectady City Mission. Our church worship space was also open to all that attended. I thank all of the dedicated volunteers who worked so hard to help make our festa a success, and the parish and community for their support. STEVEN MASULLO Altamont
The writer is the 2008 Our Lady of the Assumption festa co-chairperson.
Matthew 21:12-14: .12 And Jesus went into the temple and he threw-out all the (people) selling and buying in the temple, and he turned-down the tables of the money-changers and the seats of the (people) selling the doves, .13 and he says to them, “It was written2, ‘My house will be called: house of prayer’ – but you make it a cave of robbers.” .14 And blind-people and lame-people came-towards him in the temple and he attended-to them.
"BINGO" Kevin!!!!! (and no pun intended with the bingo thing)
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The Roman Catholic Church in our community needs to take a look at the message it is sending to young people when they serve alcohol and offer gambling at their church summer and fall festivals. I think the message these church festivals are sending to the young people is that it’s OK to drink and gamble if you want have a good time. Alcoholism and gambling have destroyed so many families in our society. College administrators will tell you that gambling among students is becoming as serious a problem as drinking. The Catholic Church is against abortion and preaches that we should protect the fetus. However, alcohol is still sold at these festivals when scientific research has shown that even moderate drinking of alcohol and maybe only one drink can produce fetal damage. One festival organizer admitted to me that you bring in more money if you sell alcohol drinks and offer gambling. Of course I understand that it may have to do with a lack education among clergy. A report, “So Help Me God: Substance Abuse, Religion and Spirituality,” that was published in 2001 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that only 12.5 percent of clergy received any education on alcoholism and substance abuse while preparing for the ministry. However, the report found that 70 percent of the Catholic clergy surveyed considered alcohol and substance abuse to be a very important issue among their congregation. I ask that treatment programs in the community make more of an effort in reaching out to the local churches and educating the clergy. I ask that parishioners who agree with me contact their local pastor and festival organizer and tell them that you will not support a festival that serves alcohol and has gambling. The Aug. 27 letter, “Drinking, gambling not what festa was about,” stated that the highlights of his church festival were actually the homemade food, entertainment and a chance to spend time with friends. Then why offer drinking and gambling? Or is it all about the money? ARNOLD SCHULTZ Rotterdam
PATCHOGUE — A New York charity is turning down a share of a $3 million lottery jackpot because accepting it could send a bad message to gambling addicts. The Lighthouse Mission, which helps feed 3,000 hungry Long Islanders a week, had been picked to share an anonymous donor’s jackpot last month. The donor gave the winning ticket to the True North Community Church of Port Jefferson, which said it would share the money with other charities. The mission’s pastor, James Ryan, said he appreciates the offer — but his organization counsels against addictions, including drugs, alcohol and gambling. He did not say what percentage of an annual $102,225 payout through 2028 that he was turning down.
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