Okay, so I heard that my state is going through some talk about allowing gambling in the church. In the church? How dumb is that! So far, it has passed the first phase. Now, it has to go through another phase to either be approved or disapproved. What would you think if a church has a casino in it?

I don't have a problem with gambeling as long as the people doing it have the money to lose, but I don't see where Churches and Casinos mix... Not the churches I have gone to.

what is the difference, we don't have a seperation of church and state anymore, so might as well have sinners have fun while repenting

I'v never seen the sin in gambling. Always seems like a fun game to me.

The catholic church has bingo, you win monetary prizes, and donate to play. Ins't that a form of gambling?

It would be interesting to see what laws, if any, are included in a States' Constitution with regards to religious control.
While a State cannot dictate limitations which exceed Federal authority (U.S. Constitutional Law)they may be able to restrict Non-Religious functions of a Church or EVEN utilyze such functions for the benefit of the 'State'.

Many States allow "casino's" or more aptly, "regulated gambling" as a form of revenue. It often helps a state to lower taxes for its residents.

Now, if a church wanted to gain additional funding for themselves, via casino gambling, this would obviously NOT be a function that would fall under the Protection of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. In this case, gambling is not,nor has it ever been, a part of any religious 'exercise', therefore, a church casino is not protected under Federal Law.

So a State may see an opportunity to increase its revenues at the expence of a Church (IMAGINE THAT YOU ALL) a Church 'exercise' that can be forced to pay TAXES, and not only that, they can be forced to surrender part of "their" revenue to the State. Beyond this, the church could IN NO WAY, place 'controls' (as a public casino) that do not fall under State and City guidlines for running this type of 'public' business. In other words, they can place no restrictions on who enters their establisment apart from other legal premise.

What I'm wondering, as I sit here laughing, is "does the church understand this?". I whole heartedly doubt it.

The idea that a church would ALLOW itself to loose its status as a protected entity, simply baffles me. The nightmare of the accounting and human resource issues could be inumerable. Not to mention, who would be backing this "business venture"?

Depending on the size of this venture, I can see legal issues proceeding from court to court until some related issue, finally, makes an apperance in the U.S. Supreme Court. At that time, I don't expect that "Church" will continue on its path.

The expence of such a venture could be phenominal, and any income residual, AFTER, overhead, State, City, and locality claims will also be subject to Federal income tax.

I HOPE THEY GO FOR IT! I will LOVE sitting back and watching this one.

if my scripture is correct, didnt God destory such a church that committed similar sins?

Going to church is gambling...

You are betting that your piousness will get you into heaven,YES?

You're right. The whole idea of a God who expects people to believe on pure faith is already asking them to gamble.

The money changers were not Gamblers. They were more like Bankers and Sacrifice supplies salesmen. Jesus just didn't like capitalism. No rich men in Heaven and the only people to really make him angry were Bankers.

When I was a child we would play bingo in chuch for money. Was that gambling. I never thought much of it, but now that I help run a senior center where they play Bingo, maybe it was a path that was set before me. Just a thought.


TAB

Gambling isn't directly called a sin anywhere in the Bible. Gambling can lead to a love for money. It can also cause a family to suffer when one member becomes addicted to gambling. I personally wouldn't go to a church that did straight up gambling. Playing bingo once a week couldn't cause anyone to go broke, so I see no problem with it. I wouldn't participate, but if the money was going to the church, then I wouldn't hold anything against the church or the participants in Bingo.

What's wrong with a love of money?

Is it hypocritical to say it is o.k. one way but not another, does intention matter if the end result is the same?

I don't know what you are saying. Can you rephrase your question?

You go crazy doing Bingo every night, work your butt off at it, make it almost your full time job and it becomes very successful and then you give all the money to a homeless shelter.

that love of money

Charity is love of money? Is that what you are trying to say? Feeding the homeless and needy is a vice? Do you believe that? I'm totally confused by what you have said.

I think that is what she was trying to say. If the money is going to a good cause is it wrong to love making it?

"Love of money" means greed. If you donate your winnings to charity, then you aren't gambling out of a greedy desire for personal wealth.

No, what I am saying is, what is so wrong if you love money? I work very hard for my money, and it is mine, and I am keeping it, where is the sin in that?

and on the second topic, you say that gambling is not a sin if you are doing it to raise money for the church, but it is not ok if you are doing it to raise money for yourself, the outcome is the same so why is there a difference? Doesn't it say somewhere in the bible to take care of your own?

Never mind