Lotteries, sin or foible?

[2ndRateMind]

So, I play the lottery. Am I sinning?

The thing is, I am not generally in favour of concentrating wealth into the hands of a fortunate few. I would far rather all the world's wealth were equitably distributed, so that hunger, malnutrition and starvation were gone, and all of humanity shared an equality of opportunity.

But despite my principles, just now I paid my usual 2.50 for an infinitesimal chance of winning 110 million. Am I a hypocrite?

When I look at the annual cost of playing, it is 260 per year. And when I look at my finances, I find I really cannot justify that money out of my sparse income. But, then again, I do get a lot of pleasure in considering how I would spend the cash, the futures of my much beloved relatives I would secure, the charities I would support, as well as the occasional expensive luxury I would indulge in.

So, forum, over to you. Lotteries: good or bad? You decide.

Best wishes, 2RM.

[Purple Knight]

One of my very few gambling experiences was in my college days. A few friends and I drove to Atlantic City shortly after gambling had been legalized there. We played the nickel slots which involved a total investment of $2. I felt quite energized even knowing that I'd certainly lose my 2 bucks. Never became addicted, never lost any energy, it was quite a bit of fun.

You weren't really gambling. You paid for the excitement, which you'd surely receive.

Okay, let me be more honest, because that's sort of a douche argument and I know so. To be absolutely honest, I've done the same thing. I've visited a casino for fun, knowing I'd lose money. I don't think a lot of people believe this is sinful. Not this in and of itself.

Whenever I'm around gambling, however, I notice them... the derelicts. It's the same with drugs. It's the same with alcohol. A certain chunk of the populace can't control itself. I'm just not sure my fun is worth their suffering. I don't want to rain on anyone's parade either, and it also seems wrong to ban these things entirely and take away happiness from people who can control themselves. Ban it, don't ban it... both options seem equally wrong to me. I can't get round to a point of view where I'm for something. Every time I get close, I think, no, that would be awful; that would be wrong.

[1DoubtingThomas]

So, I play the lottery. Am I sinning?


2ndRateMind,

YOUR QUOTE RELATING TO GAMBLING: "So, forum, over to you. Lotteries: good or bad? You decide."

If you are a pseudo-christian, their serial killer god named Jesus' word within the Jewish Christian Bible says no to lotteries and gambling!

"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)


"And Jesus said to his disciples, Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:23-24)

^^^ I guest that the ungodly televangelist "Joel Osteen" that is worth millions, where he has a house worth 23 million alone, forgot to read about the passage above! What's new? NOTHING!


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[Carnivalfaces]

So, I play the lottery. Am I sinning?

The thing is, I am not generally in favour of concentrating wealth into the hands of a fortunate few. I would far rather all the world's wealth were equitably distributed, so that hunger, malnutrition and starvation were gone, and all of humanity shared an equality of opportunity.

But despite my principles, just now I paid my usual 2.50 for an infinitesimal chance of winning 110 million. Am I a hypocrite?

When I look at the annual cost of playing, it is 260 per year. And when I look at my finances, I find I really cannot justify that money out of my sparse income. But, then again, I do get a lot of pleasure in considering how I would spend the cash, the futures of my much beloved relatives I would secure, the charities I would support, as well as the occasional expensive luxury I would indulge in.

So, forum, over to you. Lotteries: good or bad? You decide.

Best wishes, 2RM.

If you're a believer in the Abrahamic god of the bible than yes, you are a sinner. Because you are dreaming of money, not your god. Your god wants you to do things for the love of god, not money. Good news though! Your god is guilty of gambling as well. Ever hear of a fellow named Job? Well god and Satan wagered but not for money, but for the lives of Jobs family and Jobs personal health, so I don't think it's a capital offense. Well, for Jobs family it doesn't work out so good though, and they weren't even in on the bet!

Are you for equally distributing the work that it takes to acquire this wealth you want to redistribute? Should those who won't work reap the same rewards equally as those who work for or even beyond what they need?

Only if you don't immediately hand it over for redistribution. If you want to retain some for economic advantage as opposed to "equality of opportunity" then that would make you a hypocrite.

Dreaming is okay, obsessing is not. Keep that in mind and you'll be okay.

On lotteries being "good" or "bad" it's what we make of it on a personal level and a collective level that decides that.