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Gambling
- Thread starter TheBear
- Start date
stillsmallvoice
The Narn rule!
- May 8, 2002
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Hi all!
I know that my faith (Judaism, orthodox) is very anti-gambling. Here are links to The Jewish Encyclopedia's entries on gambling http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=58&letter=G&search=gambling and betting http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=997&letter=B. Here is an article on "Taking a Chance on Gambling" by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir http://www.aish.com/societyWork/work/The_Jewish_Ethicist_Taking_a_Chance_on_Gambling.asp.
Gambling is kind of like the side of beef that had been left to sit too long. When the housewife asked her rabbi if it was still kosher ("kosher" is a legal definition; either a given food item is kosher or it's not; there's no such thing as "kosher style"). The rabbi replied, "It's kosher, but it stinks!"
While the Torah may not forbid gambling, from an orthodox Jewish point-of-view, gambling is something that the Torah places well within the power of our Sages to regulate (see Deuteronomy 17:8-11).
Israel has a well-established state-run lottery, the proceeds of which are used to build community centers, public gymnasiums, community dental clinics in outlying areas, etc. There is a casino in Taba, just over the border (in Egypt) from our southern port city of Eilat. There is also a casino in Palestinian Authority-controlled Jericho. Since Israelis have been barred from entering Jericho (by order of the Israel Defense Forces) for the past several years, and given that the casino has been damaged by IDF soldiers firing on it in response to incoming fire from terrorists holed up in it, it's closed, thank God. When the PA decided to open a casino in Jericho (the proceeds of which lined the pockets of Arafat & his cronies and benefitted the average citizen of Jericho not one iota), the late & unlamented Sheikh Ahmed Yassin of Hamas vociferously condemned the casino as, "a moral cancer." Funny thing, but I, the Zionist Jew, agree 100% on this score with the Hamas archterrorist Sheikh Yassin. I'm glad that it's closed and that Israelis & Palestinians can no longer go there to lose their money & their souls. I imagine that there are that many fewer broken families because that den of iniquity in Jericho is closed. Every now & then, there are proposals to legalize casino gambling in certain locales in Israel. It is the religious parties in the Knesset (our parliament) who are in the forefront of the struggle against such proposals. Israel has enough social problems as it is without legalizing casino gambling.
The money people waste on gambling could be far better spent on their families, given to worthy charities, etc.
Be well!
ssv
I know that my faith (Judaism, orthodox) is very anti-gambling. Here are links to The Jewish Encyclopedia's entries on gambling http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=58&letter=G&search=gambling and betting http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=997&letter=B. Here is an article on "Taking a Chance on Gambling" by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir http://www.aish.com/societyWork/work/The_Jewish_Ethicist_Taking_a_Chance_on_Gambling.asp.
Gambling is kind of like the side of beef that had been left to sit too long. When the housewife asked her rabbi if it was still kosher ("kosher" is a legal definition; either a given food item is kosher or it's not; there's no such thing as "kosher style"). The rabbi replied, "It's kosher, but it stinks!"
While the Torah may not forbid gambling, from an orthodox Jewish point-of-view, gambling is something that the Torah places well within the power of our Sages to regulate (see Deuteronomy 17:8-11).
Israel has a well-established state-run lottery, the proceeds of which are used to build community centers, public gymnasiums, community dental clinics in outlying areas, etc. There is a casino in Taba, just over the border (in Egypt) from our southern port city of Eilat. There is also a casino in Palestinian Authority-controlled Jericho. Since Israelis have been barred from entering Jericho (by order of the Israel Defense Forces) for the past several years, and given that the casino has been damaged by IDF soldiers firing on it in response to incoming fire from terrorists holed up in it, it's closed, thank God. When the PA decided to open a casino in Jericho (the proceeds of which lined the pockets of Arafat & his cronies and benefitted the average citizen of Jericho not one iota), the late & unlamented Sheikh Ahmed Yassin of Hamas vociferously condemned the casino as, "a moral cancer." Funny thing, but I, the Zionist Jew, agree 100% on this score with the Hamas archterrorist Sheikh Yassin. I'm glad that it's closed and that Israelis & Palestinians can no longer go there to lose their money & their souls. I imagine that there are that many fewer broken families because that den of iniquity in Jericho is closed. Every now & then, there are proposals to legalize casino gambling in certain locales in Israel. It is the religious parties in the Knesset (our parliament) who are in the forefront of the struggle against such proposals. Israel has enough social problems as it is without legalizing casino gambling.
The money people waste on gambling could be far better spent on their families, given to worthy charities, etc.
Be well!
ssv
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C
Cerberus~
Guest
It's moral as long it's your money and you aren't taking food out of someone's mouth for it. Whether it's smart or not, depends on what you know and where you're at.
Me, I'ld like to be a card-counter at Vegas.
Me, I'ld like to be a card-counter at Vegas.
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Angel4Truth
Legend
I dont think its immoral if you can afford it and arent taking away from someone in your family in order to . Lots are cast in the bible and there is nothing written that can either directly or indirectly forbid it other than what i just mentioned , which is adressed , where it says a man who doesnt take care of his family is worse than a non believer .TheBear said:Is gambling immoral?
If so, why? If not, why?
All views are welcome.
Discuss...
Excessiveness would be a problem though in my opinion. Its really a grey area , because there can be harmful effects too . Casinos can lure those who cannot afford to do so and cause hardships on families too . I personally wouldnt own a casino because i wouldnt want to be responsible for causing someone to stumble who may not be able to exhibit self control .
Anytime someone is depending on it , i would think it would be immoral because that would be an excess , but for fun , i dont see an issue . Its really about responsibility.
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Lynden1000
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The only thing immoral about gambling is that I never seem to pick the right horses, grrrr........
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in2Nas
...using the brain God gave me.
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TheBear said:Is gambling immoral?
If so, why? If not, why?
All views are welcome.
Discuss...
I think it's another one of those fine lines again. In my opinion, I believe it's immoral when gambling adversely affects your life. I see no harm taking an occasional bet on football where the loser has to buy the winner lunch, or taking in a March Madness pool or even particpating in a monthly poker night with your friends. I also see nothing with professional gamblers, such as Johnny Chan. But, if can't control yourself and if you're putting you and your family's lives on table..then there's a problem.
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wanderingone
I'm not lost I'm just wandering
- Jul 6, 2005
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I can't gamble.. it seems like an impressive waste of time and money.. that doesn't make it immoral for anyone else. I tried once to go to the casinos in Jersey ... my husband said he was going to watch me lose $50 before dinner and a show.. I put the coins in the cheap slots.. lost them and got really annoyed that I wasted a buck (or whatever it was).. went to the bookstore and spent the $50 on books instead 
Hey if it's fun for someone.. not obsessive or addictive I think it's a hobby like any other. A lot of the people at my old job used to take bus trips out to Atlantic City .. they give a food voucher... so they'd go out, catch a show, have a meal.. spend a few dollars same as they'd spend anywhere else and socialize.. not my idea of a fun day but if you enjoy it have at it
Hey if it's fun for someone.. not obsessive or addictive I think it's a hobby like any other. A lot of the people at my old job used to take bus trips out to Atlantic City .. they give a food voucher... so they'd go out, catch a show, have a meal.. spend a few dollars same as they'd spend anywhere else and socialize.. not my idea of a fun day but if you enjoy it have at it
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reina23
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To me gambling is ok until you get out of hand. EX: Spending too much money, doing it too much. It can be very fun, as long as it is kept under control. One has to know when to stop.
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xAtheistx
Active Member
Gambling is great... the people who are smart nuff to cheat the system get the dough. The casinos, which are smart enough to cheat people out of their money are able to get the dough. The people who can't do the math lose the dough.
Smart people win. Stupid people lose.
Why would I not like this system again?
Smart people win. Stupid people lose.
Why would I not like this system again?
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It is not immoral if it is in your control. If you want to blow 20 bucks at the casino for entertainment, no problem. Its the same as going to a movie. If you lose control, it is no different then any other addiction.
It might be against your religion to gamble, that alone does not make it immoral.
It might be against your religion to gamble, that alone does not make it immoral.
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Angel4Truth
Legend
Its using something magical mythical that children find appealing in a very violent wayreina23 said:What do you find disturbing about it?
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xAtheistx
Active Member
Angel4Truth said:
Angel4Truth said:
It's good to know that children like unicorns, for they will be more likely to hear the eternal wisdom of the IPU (pbuh). I'm not allowed to encourage acceptance of any non-Christian religion (although I am allowed to state my opinion that said rule SUCKS), so I guess I'll have to leave it at that.
It's only serving justice. The IPU (bbhhh) is defensive of Her faithful subjects. Jason is an example of a subject protected by Her grace. (Of course, she doesn't want to pry, so she has Her faeries follow you around everywhere).
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