When someone says “Thank you”, sometimes I respond with “No Problem.” or “You Bet.” I don’t bet/gamble money-wise. I do gamble (take risks) sometimes with what I do (like standing on the very top of a ladder) or say (like making comments or giving responses on Go Comics).
Oddly, I find virtually nothing in the Bible about gambling (but a whole lot about the sin of hoarding wealth and making life miserable for the poor and immigrant). I believe the prohibitions against gambling arose more out of the effects — which often left people destitute, making entire families homeless, often resulting in crimes committed to pay for the gambling debts. It was also a vehicle for unscrupulous moneylenders to entrap the unwary.
But gambling itself is neutral, at least biblically and theologically.
It can, of course, become an addiction and should be taken seriously as such.
When we lived in Pittsburgh back in the 70s my wife and I stopped at a church fair on the way home one day. Among the usual rides and booths there was one in which a priest was dealing blackjack hands to a couple of teen aged boys. Actual Las Vegas style blackjack to a couple of minors!
Some take the no gambling/no betting a bit to far. An example, I was playing solitaire and someone told me it was a sin to do that. I was by myself and not betting anyone or anything on the game
Bingo is not just for churches. When I was growing up, almost every week during the summer there was a carnival run by a fire dept. or a small town. Bingo in those was a big deal. Not to mention that it was prominent in almost every amusement park. If you called it gambling, some participants might have agreed. But I suspect more would have just laughed.
A friend of mine is a priest in a small town, and he told me about the time the ministers from the Protestant churches told him they were all going to preach that Sunday on the evils of gambling. They wanted him to do the same. He had to tell them that the Catholic Church doesn’t consider gambling a sin.
B UTTONS over 3 years ago
But you’ll need to attend services on Sunday to collect.
Imagine over 3 years ago
The evils of gambling…and how to beat them (the odds, that is).
SamuelMeasa over 3 years ago
Double or nothing?
BigDaveGlass over 3 years ago
I bet you can’t give up gambling….
Doug K over 3 years ago
When someone says “Thank you”, sometimes I respond with “No Problem.” or “You Bet.” I don’t bet/gamble money-wise. I do gamble (take risks) sometimes with what I do (like standing on the very top of a ladder) or say (like making comments or giving responses on Go Comics).
cdward over 3 years ago
Oddly, I find virtually nothing in the Bible about gambling (but a whole lot about the sin of hoarding wealth and making life miserable for the poor and immigrant). I believe the prohibitions against gambling arose more out of the effects — which often left people destitute, making entire families homeless, often resulting in crimes committed to pay for the gambling debts. It was also a vehicle for unscrupulous moneylenders to entrap the unwary.
But gambling itself is neutral, at least biblically and theologically.
It can, of course, become an addiction and should be taken seriously as such.
Zebrastripes over 3 years ago
BTW…..Bingos down the basement….
rickseg over 3 years ago
When we lived in Pittsburgh back in the 70s my wife and I stopped at a church fair on the way home one day. Among the usual rides and booths there was one in which a priest was dealing blackjack hands to a couple of teen aged boys. Actual Las Vegas style blackjack to a couple of minors!
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 3 years ago
I’ll bet the Fink wins.
JosephShriver over 3 years ago
Some take the no gambling/no betting a bit to far. An example, I was playing solitaire and someone told me it was a sin to do that. I was by myself and not betting anyone or anything on the game
rshive over 3 years ago
Bingo is not just for churches. When I was growing up, almost every week during the summer there was a carnival run by a fire dept. or a small town. Bingo in those was a big deal. Not to mention that it was prominent in almost every amusement park. If you called it gambling, some participants might have agreed. But I suspect more would have just laughed.
Ed The Red Premium Member over 3 years ago
A friend of mine is a priest in a small town, and he told me about the time the ministers from the Protestant churches told him they were all going to preach that Sunday on the evils of gambling. They wanted him to do the same. He had to tell them that the Catholic Church doesn’t consider gambling a sin.
COL Crash over 3 years ago
Just like any other form of addiction, gambling is only evil when you let it take control over you.
WCraft Premium Member over 3 years ago
Bingo, anyone?
geese28 over 3 years ago
….and the fink just snatches the money and leaves
spaced man spliff over 3 years ago
Vegas, Baby !!