The lottery and the church
thenassauguardian editorial
It seems that at least once a year the issue concerning a lottery in The Bahamas raises its head. Each time the subject comes up, it raises arguments among members of the public and puts up the dividing wall between the church and government. Yet, each year the subject comes up, the same arguments prevail and the same results are experienced.
Nothing happens and the subject dies down.
Of course the Christian Council continues to stand against the formation of a lottery, claiming that it would further sink this country into a mire of immorality.
With a high crime rate, an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, a high rate of high school drop outs, an ever increasing turn by many to alternative lifestyles and the constant Bahamian past time of “sweet hearting” one can only wonder if the country has not reached the bottom of the barrel of immorality.
In decades past, the church’s view was highly respected, which explains why every time the subject of a lottery came up and the church protested, it was pushed aside, without another thought.
Now, with some consideration being given to the idea, it proves that the respect which the church in The Bahamas once held is waning. With so much of its own dirty laundry being placed into the public light, the church no doubt has issues of its own.
But have we reached that point in our nation’s history where the voice of reason, justice and fair play is no longer being adhered to? If that is the case, then God help us.
Some claim that the reason many pastors are against the formation of a lottery is because they fear losing tithes and offerings to a gambling practice. But pastors, in taking their stand against the lottery, say they fear that it would destroy households, as husbands would then use their money to play the lottery in hopes of winning.
If the ratio of men to homes in this country is correct, then no doubt this argument is moot. To think that single mothers would take hard earned money to play the lottery instead of feeding and clothing their families goes beyond reason.
But it can certainly happen.
However, the truth is, those parents who are responsible without a lottery would continue to be responsible with a lottery.
After all, games of chance can be bought on just about every corner in the country.
Yet, only those who are willing to take that risk with those games of chance continue to do so.
Those who are not interested are not moved.
12/3/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label games of chance Bahamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label games of chance Bahamas. Show all posts
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Roman Catholic Archbishop Patrick Pinder says no to legalised gambling in The Bahamas
Archbishop says no to legalised gambling
tribune242:
ARCHBISHOP Patrick Pinder, leader of the Roman Catholic community in the Bahamas, does not think the law should be changed to support legalised gambling
The Archbishop pointed out that although the Church's longstanding tradition that games of chance are not in themselves morally evil, "there is the tendency of human nature to go to excess and to extremes. Thus what may be harmless in the beginning can, without proper restraints become quite harmful later on. The wisdom of the law as it now stands seems to understand this reality.
"The law as it now stands," said the Archbishop, "appears intended to exercise an abundance of necessary caution for the good of individuals and the community as a whole.
"Permitting the harmless use of games of chance while protecting against their harmful excess is indeed the value which the current law appears to protect and promote."
It was on these grounds that the Archbishop felt that the law should be upheld and gambling not be legalised.
Following is the text of the Archbishop's statement:
"The Bahamian community is currently engaged in much discussion surrounding the possibility of the legalisation of gambling. Surely this matter calls for much serious thought and research as part of an in-depth, national conversation. Such conversation is a necessary aspect of the formation of public policy in a strong democracy. I wish here to offer an initial contribution to that conversation.
"The question of legalisation of gambling is a challenging one for our Bahamian community as a whole. It is particularly challenging for our Roman Catholic community. At the risk of being quoted out of context, I must indicate at the outset the Church's longstanding tradition that games of chance are not in themselves morally evil. This finds official expression in the Catechism of the Catholic Church in these words: 'Games of chance or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice.' (CCC2413). It is on this basis that there is a well known practice of utilising various games of chance, in particular raffles, as a staple feature of parish fund raising. "However, the same section of the Catechism goes on to say: '(Games of chance) become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs or those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement.' (CCC 2431).
"Our Catholic tradition recognised that while gambling is not inherently evil there is the tendency of human nature to go to excess and to extremes. Thus what may be harmless in the beginning can, without proper restraints become quite harmful later on. The wisdom of the law as it now stands seems to understand this reality. The law as it now stands appears intended to exercise an abundance of necessary caution for the good of individuals and the community as a whole."
"Permitting the harmless use of games of chance while protecting against their harmful excess is indeed the value which the current law appears to protect and promote. As such, I as the leader of the Roman Catholic community in the Bahamas do not support a change in the current law which would allow the legalisation of gambling.
"I realise that this is not a simple matter. While raffles are closely regulated by law, we do have the widespread breach of the legal prohibition of gambling in the case of the illegal numbers industry. Surely, we cannot simply pretend that this situation does not exist. Nor can public authority tolerate the routine violation of the law. Here we need to come together as a community to reflect on the values which the current law seeks to protect and foster. We need to explore why there is such widespread gambling in violation of the law. What is it telling us about our character as a people? How are we to address this stubborn reality for the good of us all? Should we not be encouraging our people to save rather than to gamble? What alternatives are there to the wholesale repeal of the current law?
"Clearly this matter calls for further discussion. I am not convinced that a mere liberalising change in the law is the most wise or beneficial course to follow."
May 25, 2010
tribune242
tribune242:
ARCHBISHOP Patrick Pinder, leader of the Roman Catholic community in the Bahamas, does not think the law should be changed to support legalised gambling
The Archbishop pointed out that although the Church's longstanding tradition that games of chance are not in themselves morally evil, "there is the tendency of human nature to go to excess and to extremes. Thus what may be harmless in the beginning can, without proper restraints become quite harmful later on. The wisdom of the law as it now stands seems to understand this reality.
"The law as it now stands," said the Archbishop, "appears intended to exercise an abundance of necessary caution for the good of individuals and the community as a whole.
"Permitting the harmless use of games of chance while protecting against their harmful excess is indeed the value which the current law appears to protect and promote."
It was on these grounds that the Archbishop felt that the law should be upheld and gambling not be legalised.
Following is the text of the Archbishop's statement:
"The Bahamian community is currently engaged in much discussion surrounding the possibility of the legalisation of gambling. Surely this matter calls for much serious thought and research as part of an in-depth, national conversation. Such conversation is a necessary aspect of the formation of public policy in a strong democracy. I wish here to offer an initial contribution to that conversation.
"The question of legalisation of gambling is a challenging one for our Bahamian community as a whole. It is particularly challenging for our Roman Catholic community. At the risk of being quoted out of context, I must indicate at the outset the Church's longstanding tradition that games of chance are not in themselves morally evil. This finds official expression in the Catechism of the Catholic Church in these words: 'Games of chance or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice.' (CCC2413). It is on this basis that there is a well known practice of utilising various games of chance, in particular raffles, as a staple feature of parish fund raising. "However, the same section of the Catechism goes on to say: '(Games of chance) become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs or those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement.' (CCC 2431).
"Our Catholic tradition recognised that while gambling is not inherently evil there is the tendency of human nature to go to excess and to extremes. Thus what may be harmless in the beginning can, without proper restraints become quite harmful later on. The wisdom of the law as it now stands seems to understand this reality. The law as it now stands appears intended to exercise an abundance of necessary caution for the good of individuals and the community as a whole."
"Permitting the harmless use of games of chance while protecting against their harmful excess is indeed the value which the current law appears to protect and promote. As such, I as the leader of the Roman Catholic community in the Bahamas do not support a change in the current law which would allow the legalisation of gambling.
"I realise that this is not a simple matter. While raffles are closely regulated by law, we do have the widespread breach of the legal prohibition of gambling in the case of the illegal numbers industry. Surely, we cannot simply pretend that this situation does not exist. Nor can public authority tolerate the routine violation of the law. Here we need to come together as a community to reflect on the values which the current law seeks to protect and foster. We need to explore why there is such widespread gambling in violation of the law. What is it telling us about our character as a people? How are we to address this stubborn reality for the good of us all? Should we not be encouraging our people to save rather than to gamble? What alternatives are there to the wholesale repeal of the current law?
"Clearly this matter calls for further discussion. I am not convinced that a mere liberalising change in the law is the most wise or beneficial course to follow."
May 25, 2010
tribune242
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