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A Letter from our Pennsylvania United Methodist
Bishops
May 27, 2009
Grace and peace to all Pennsylvania
United Methodists:
As followers of Jesus Christ, committed to the principles of peace and
justice that he sacrificed his life for, we come to you with this urgent
concern and call to action. The General Assembly is considering legislation
to dramatically change the character of communities across the
Commonwealth. House Bill 1317 would allow video poker and similar forms of
gambling in thousands of restaurants and taverns across the state.
We urgently ask all United Methodists and persons of good will to contact
their legislators and Gov. Edward Rendell to oppose this legislation, as
well as any other effort to expand gambling in Pennsylvania.
The United Methodist stance on gambling is clear: "Gambling is a
menace to society, deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic,
and spiritual life, destructive of good government and good
stewardship." (Paragraph 163.G 2008 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church)
Scripture tells us gambling is the wrong path to success. In 1Timothy,
Chapter 6, verses 9-10, Paul writes: "Lust for money brings trouble
and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in
the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after." (The
Message)
Most gambling addicts begin betting innocently, but there is nothing
innocent about gambling. From lotteries to horse racing, to slots casinos,
gambling is state-regulated theft. Gambling pits people against each other,
with many more losers than winners. Because of the computer-generated lure
of fast-paced action, video poker is often called the crack cocaine of
gambling. These machines are designed to trap players into getting in over
their heads. Gambling addiction breaks down families, forcing bankruptcies,
job losses, and crime.
Jesus' greatest commandment is to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
If we live this, then how can we let a neighbor lose everything to
gambling? Research shows proximity to gambling increases the potential for
gambling addiction. Imagine then, the negative effects of mini casinos in
nearly every neighborhood?
Gov. Rendell's video lottery proposal is a cynical approach to funding
education. He has proposed using the profits from video poker to provide
scholarships to Pennsylvanians attending our state-owned universities and
community colleges.
This is a terrible lesson to be teaching our young people. It offers our
students and their parents a false choice. They gain from the
government-sponsored losses of millions of persons. We expect more from our
governmental leaders. Unfortunately, too often they turn to gimmicks, or
poor choices like gambling to fund basic state services.
This is the second time the governor has moved to use gambling as a major
source of revenue for education. We strongly opposed Act 71 of 2004, which
allowed the state to create slot machine casinos around the state, and use
the proceeds to reduce property taxes.
Since the passage of Act 71, there seems to be a sense that more gambling
is inevitable in Pennsylvania. We disagree.
Speaking clearly with a united voice from across Pennsylvania, we believe our
elected representatives will listen and act responsibly.
Please contact your legislator and
Gov. Rendell. Tell them video poker goes against God's best
intentions for Gods children. Tell them to find better, more equitable ways
to fund education. Tell them more gambling only hurts Pennsylvania.
Thank you for speaking out on behalf of all Pennsylvanians, whom are all
God's children.
In Christ's Service,
Thomas J. Bickerton
Jane Allen Middleton
Pittsburgh
Area
Harrisburg Area
Peggy A.
Johnson
Susan W. Hassinger
Philadelphia
Area
Albany Area
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