Balancing our Personal Believes, Religion and Gambling

[peter0425]

To my knowledge, in the Hinduism and Buddhism religion, they also made emphasis on the way gambling can cause greed and it's not in line with what can make people easily become better people in life,

Most religions in the world have shunned gambling because of the ill effects associated with it. However people will still gamble, because it is their personal choice. The religious head does not control the people's actions which is why it not a fascism but a democracy.

Religion is not a democracy. It is faith not a system of governance. We all have free will and this is what we follow. Faith is the basis of our actions and decisions. We are not just following what the religion tells us to do so because it’s right and lawful but because it’s what we believe in. We do not elect religious leaders so it’s not a democracy.

The reason why people still sin is because of free will. They might do things that are prohibited in their religion but that is their cross to bear. It is up to them if they will ever feel guilty and repent or keep doing it. Has there ever been a religious person that never once committed something that is prohibited in their religion? Maybe gambling is also one of those things a lot of religious people can’t give up despite teachings of their religion.

[rachael9385]

To my knowledge, in the Hinduism and Buddhism religion, they also made emphasis on the way gambling can cause greed and it's not in line with what can make people easily become better people in life,

Most religions in the world have shunned gambling because of the ill effects associated with it. However people will still gamble, because it is their personal choice. The religious head does not control the people's actions which is why it not a fascism but a democracy.

Religion is not a democracy. It is faith not a system of governance. We all have free will and this is what we follow. Faith is the basis of our actions and decisions. We are not just following what the religion tells us to do so because it’s right and lawful but because it’s what we believe in. We do not elect religious leaders so it’s not a democracy.

The reason why people still sin is because of free will. They might do things that are prohibited in their religion but that is their cross to bear. It is up to them if they will ever feel guilty and repent or keep doing it. Has there ever been a religious person that never once committed something that is prohibited in their religion? Maybe gambling is also one of those things a lot of religious people can’t give up despite teachings of their religion.

I'm a religious person and I haven't really come across a part of the scripture that condemns gambling, not saying It might not be there but I don't think I have heard anyone preach about it. Gambling to me is a recreational activity and when it's done moderately I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Even religious leaders engage in gambling for fun and it doesn't affect their religion in any Anyway. The problem we have in society is the Stockholm syndrome of religion.

[Oilacris]

To my knowledge, in the Hinduism and Buddhism religion, they also made emphasis on the way gambling can cause greed and it's not in line with what can make people easily become better people in life,

Most religions in the world have shunned gambling because of the ill effects associated with it. However people will still gamble, because it is their personal choice. The religious head does not control the people's actions which is why it not a fascism but a democracy.

Religion is not a democracy. It is faith not a system of governance. We all have free will and this is what we follow. Faith is the basis of our actions and decisions. We are not just following what the religion tells us to do so because it’s right and lawful but because it’s what we believe in. We do not elect religious leaders so it’s not a democracy.

The reason why people still sin is because of free will. They might do things that are prohibited in their religion but that is their cross to bear. It is up to them if they will ever feel guilty and repent or keep doing it. Has there ever been a religious person that never once committed something that is prohibited in their religion? Maybe gambling is also one of those things a lot of religious people can’t give up despite teachings of their religion.

I'm a religious person and I haven't really come across a part of the scripture that condemns gambling, not saying It might not be there but I don't think I have heard anyone preach about it. Gambling to me is a recreational activity and when it's done moderately I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Even religious leaders engage in gambling for fun and it doesn't affect their religion in any Anyway. The problem we have in society is the Stockholm syndrome of religion.

Not that totally directly being said but here's that some Bible verse.

 1 Timothy 6:10, which states, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." This verse is often used to caution against the pursuit of wealth through activities like gambling, where the primary motivation can be monetary gain. Source

This might be indirect but on the moment that you do reach up into a point that you do have that love for money then
it do really goes within this verse.

[swogerino]

They have a very valid point these religion books when they say that money is the root cause for all kind of evils and I believe the comment which the knowledgeable religious guys make to it is quite good also, they are not saying do not pursuit wealth in ways the religion consider them legal rather don't pursuit them going the easy way like drugs, prostitution, alcohol and gambling to name a few, these lead to very bad consequences most of the time, for example some persons may start out selling drugs and end up being hitman-s , people who kill for money (which I will never understand how can killers live after they have killed someone) in their sleep they will be always tormented by the images of their victims and honestly for me this is not life, you may have all the money in the world yet that is not life, so I agree with these religious guys in this context brought up here.

[Cookdata]

Religion is not a democracy. It is faith not a system of governance. We all have free will and this is what we follow. Faith is the basis of our actions and decisions. We are not just following what the religion tells us to do so because it’s right and lawful but because it’s what we believe in. We do not elect religious leaders so it’s not a democracy.

The reason why people still sin is because of free will. They might do things that are prohibited in their religion but that is their cross to bear. It is up to them if they will ever feel guilty and repent or keep doing it. Has there ever been a religious person that never once committed something that is prohibited in their religion? Maybe gambling is also one of those things a lot of religious people can’t give up despite teachings of their religion.

Religion isn't democracy but religion is a system of government in some countries most especially the Islam countries that's why you see they forbid gambling in such places. Their lifestyle and everything they do is been done like their own faith, that's why gambling is not a fun thing to them. If you gamble and to  are caught, the punishment isn't money or any fine, it's barbaric and are not friendly that's why people that aren't the same faith don't visit such places.

Personally I don't worry too much about gambling and my religion, do what I want to do when I'm free but my personal life isn't taking for granted. I don't gamble when I'm praying or time to communicate with God. You don't have to gamble like your life depends on it, I might win some money but I have never for once think that I'm going to win huge amount so I don't even think of praying about it, never has prayer work with gambling and I don't believe in it and l do pity people that does this.

[Sonia_123]

Just a short story I will like to tell before the main discussion, I was opportuned to listen on a telephone conversation between a man and a Clergy, what he ask was that if it is right for someone to gamble and won a jackpot, then bring a percentage of the winning to the Clergy, will he accept such as a sacrifice for the growth and developments of the religion? Knowing that the money was gotten from gambling fortune, the Clergy accepted the money but condem gambling.

Secondly, some of us have been arguing on this before time, but I want us to go wide on this discussion using different approaches over it, which may includes the religious, political, economical and social believes to why Clergy men should gamble or not, lets sight examples where necessary, prove our point and learn from each other's opinion.

Be informed that this is a general discussion, not a threat to take attacks on each other, drop your own perspective and state some reasons to back them up, let's make it more of being fun and informative with our actual facts.

Being a gambler, most religion don't accept gambling maybe it is because of the aspect of one being addicted, and the way people turns out to be after gambling, which is affecting the proper adoption of gambling by individuals, the way and approach the society handles gambling, like let's take for instance an addicted gambler, he lost total control of himself and everything when addicted, and if not properly taken care of that person in that situation can lead to death due to the frustration because,he has not won  over a long time, or not won at all from gambling and the inputed resources not being able to account for, but if we remember, gambling has its own rules and regulations, and a lot of persons finds it difficult to follow it, maybe if gamblers are able to follow the rules, then , there might not be these issue of our religion not accepting gambling or the difference.

[Wiwo]

In a society where gambling is not seen as a bad attitude or easily discriminated it wont matter. It will only matter when anyone gambling is discriminated. Gambling is not devilish its only a means of maling extra money so i dont see anything wrong with. Sometimes i ask my self wat is it that made people hate those who gamble so much? Perhaps itis the reaction of the gambler after losing or winning that is being discriminated not gambling itself.

Just say you know that, in other to dispute the wrong notion about gambling from a highly discriminating society, one need to pay onl8close attention to the attitude and character of the gamblers, some times its make much sense to only gamble reasonably than even paying attention to public outcry, some time, those public opinions are build out of ignorance.

So for sure it's what the gambler does that becomes the ultimate, since if the gamblers is responsible enough, no one will know about his gambling activities, since online casinos now grant us the right to gamble in privacy.

[Agbamoni]

In a society where gambling is not seen as a bad attitude or easily discriminated it wont matter. It will only matter when anyone gambling is discriminated. Gambling is not devilish its only a means of maling extra money so i dont see anything wrong with. Sometimes i ask my self wat is it that made people hate those who gamble so much? Perhaps itis the reaction of the gambler after losing or winning that is being discriminated not gambling itself.

Just say you know that, in other to dispute the wrong notion about gambling from a highly discriminating society, one need to pay onl8close attention to the attitude and character of the gamblers, some times its make much sense to only gamble reasonably than even paying attention to public outcry, some time, those public opinions are build out of ignorance.

So for sure it's what the gambler does that becomes the ultimate, since if the gamblers is responsible enough, no one will know about his gambling activities, since online casinos now grant us the right to gamble in privacy.

I won't use the word sometimes because at all times public opinions in gambling is out of ignorance. People often look down on gambling until life pushes them into it, then they become exactly the same people they have been judging. Gambling might seem wrong from the outside, but when circumstances change like life happens, many feel they have no choice but to join in. As the saying goes, "If you can't beat them, join them." At the same time, once they step into that world, they often realize it’s not as bad as they imagined. In fact, it’s often the behavior of some gamblers themselves that gives gambling a negative image and makes others hate it so much.

[Oluwa-btc]

The clergy will accept the money regardless of it's origin either from winning a jackpot, business or from stealing but if a person told the clergy where it's from then the clergy will tell that person to condemn those things. Clergy will say it doesn't matter where the money is from if you plan to donate to them then it's the thought and the action that matters and not the money and where it's from. As I have said, it's the act that the clergy doesn't want and the evil is the way a person is getting the money.

We don't know. There are some clergy that will always do anything for money. I believe there lot of them.
Some of them are just being clergy for their own good or personal gain. That's why if you can see some news, a lot of religious persons especially in those positions got a lot of criminal charges. Which from their place, they must not have done.

With gambling - money involved, this is very prone to corruption, and temptations. That's why most of religions don't tolerate their members to engage in any kind of gambling.

In most cases,Some of these clergymen will always say the "fear of GOD is the beginning of wisdom.Relating this to Gambling,"someone who is interested and concerned in religious activities will be cautious with gambling religions in other words,any religious practices that disdains Gambling should be completely activated.

[Kelward]

To my knowledge, in the Hinduism and Buddhism religion, they also made emphasis on the way gambling can cause greed and it's not in line with what can make people easily become better people in life,

Most religions in the world have shunned gambling because of the ill effects associated with it. However people will still gamble, because it is their personal choice. The religious head does not control the people's actions which is why it not a fascism but a democracy.

Religion is not a democracy. It is faith not a system of governance. We all have free will and this is what we follow. Faith is the basis of our actions and decisions. We are not just following what the religion tells us to do so because it’s right and lawful but because it’s what we believe in. We do not elect religious leaders so it’s not a democracy.

The reason why people still sin is because of free will. They might do things that are prohibited in their religion but that is their cross to bear. It is up to them if they will ever feel guilty and repent or keep doing it. Has there ever been a religious person that never once committed something that is prohibited in their religion? Maybe gambling is also one of those things a lot of religious people can’t give up despite teachings of their religion.

I'm a religious person and I haven't really come across a part of the scripture that condemns gambling, not saying It might not be there but I don't think I have heard anyone preach about it. Gambling to me is a recreational activity and when it's done moderately I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Even religious leaders engage in gambling for fun and it doesn't affect their religion in any Anyway. The problem we have in society is the Stockholm syndrome of religion.

There is so much misconceptions surrounding gambling, many people see it as a bad thing because of the attitudes of addicts. They don't know that there are also responsible gamblers who engage in it to entertain themselves and they don't see it as a get rich quick scheme. I'll say that if you are a religious person and your religion specifically forbids gambling then you are morally obligated not to gamble. But if your religion doesn't specifically forbid it, you can gamble responsibly and there won't be problem. I believe that with time the negative perception that is attached to gambling will stop because the awareness is increasing through adverts and responsible people going into it.

[Sim_card]

To my knowledge, in the Hinduism and Buddhism religion, they also made emphasis on the way gambling can cause greed and it's not in line with what can make people easily become better people in life,

Most religions in the world have shunned gambling because of the ill effects associated with it. However people will still gamble, because it is their personal choice. The religious head does not control the people's actions which is why it not a fascism but a democracy.

Religion is not a democracy. It is faith not a system of governance. We all have free will and this is what we follow. Faith is the basis of our actions and decisions. We are not just following what the religion tells us to do so because it’s right and lawful but because it’s what we believe in. We do not elect religious leaders so it’s not a democracy.

The reason why people still sin is because of free will. They might do things that are prohibited in their religion but that is their cross to bear. It is up to them if they will ever feel guilty and repent or keep doing it. Has there ever been a religious person that never once committed something that is prohibited in their religion? Maybe gambling is also one of those things a lot of religious people can’t give up despite teachings of their religion.

I'm a religious person and I haven't really come across a part of the scripture that condemns gambling, not saying It might not be there but I don't think I have heard anyone preach about it. Gambling to me is a recreational activity and when it's done moderately I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Even religious leaders engage in gambling for fun and it doesn't affect their religion in any Anyway. The problem we have in society is the Stockholm syndrome of religion.

There is so much misconceptions surrounding gambling, many people see it as a bad thing because of the attitudes of addicts. They don't know that there are also responsible gamblers who engage in it to entertain themselves and they don't see it as a get rich quick scheme. I'll say that if you are a religious person and your religion specifically forbids gambling then you are morally obligated not to gamble. But if your religion doesn't specifically forbid it, you can gamble responsibly and there won't be problem. I believe that with time the negative perception that is attached to gambling will stop because the awareness is increasing through adverts and responsible people going into it.

I don't think that the negative perception attached to gambling will ever stop because as long as gambling exists, we would always have irresponsible gamblers who will paint gambling to look bad in the eyes of the public. Addiction is the major cause of why people see gambling as social vice. Assuming since onset, gamblers gamble in the lowest minimal to avoid addiction, we wouldn't be hearing all the negative speeches from people about gambling. Lazy people want to make a fortune from gambling which might increase the rate of addiction.

[DubemIfedigbo001]

I don't think that the negative perception attached to gambling will ever stop because as long as gambling exists, we would always have irresponsible gamblers who will paint gambling to look bad in the eyes of the public. Addiction is the major cause of why people see gambling as social vice. Assuming since onset, gamblers gamble in the lowest minimal to avoid addiction, we wouldn't be hearing all the negative speeches from people about gambling. Lazy people want to make a fortune from gambling which might increase the rate of addiction.

You're right man, as long as people are there tho gamble responsibly and there are gambling addicts, gambling would always be seen as bad by some people who judge based on what they see and not facts or truths about a subject. Both of us know that there's no way everybody would act rationally, people are known to abuse things, which brings us here and always gives gambling a bad name.

If people can learn to gamble responsibly or government can fully enforce it on the casinos not allow irresponsible gambling, I believe we would have a better stake at improving the image of gambling, and I think governmental enforcement would be more effective.

[God Of Thunder]

Just a short story I will like to tell before the main discussion, I was opportuned to listen on a telephone conversation between a man and a Clergy, what he ask was that if it is right for someone to gamble and won a jackpot, then bring a percentage of the winning to the Clergy, will he accept such as a sacrifice for the growth and developments of the religion? Knowing that the money was gotten from gambling fortune, the Clergy accepted the money but condem gambling.

Well, I am a Muslim and I don't know much about other religions. No matter what religion it is, if that religion forbids gambling, they should not accept any money that comes from gambling and other unethical ways that the religion forbids. If any Clergy or any other religious leaders accept money from gambling or other unethical sources, it is their own mistake, and the religion has nothing to do with it.

The religion forbids gambling, yet most of us gamble because we are not following the religion well. So, it is my own responsibility if I do not follow the instructions of my own religion.

[lionheart78]

Not that totally directly being said but here's that some Bible verse.

 1 Timothy 6:10, which states, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." This verse is often used to caution against the pursuit of wealth through activities like gambling, where the primary motivation can be monetary gain. Source

This might be indirect but on the moment that you do reach up into a point that you do have that love for money then
it do really goes within this verse.

This is all about greed, prioritizing money gain rather than the spiritual gain, but the verse is not complete so I guess we have to complete it to convey the right context of the verse:

1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)
“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.”

There is indeed no direct verse in the bible that prohibits gambling, what the bible verse states is to be wary of being greedy and be trustful with God.  I do not think engaging in gambling in a responsible manner contradicts the teaching of the bible specifically against greed.  As long as the person sees gambling as a source of entertainment and engaging in it in a responsible way and not a source of easy money I do not think it would be an issue.

Aside from that the bible also states that:

Proverbs 14:24 (ESV)
"The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly."

Meaning if one has lots of money from legit sources, the person is said to be a wise man.

Btw, I also read that during the earlier times, characters in the Bible cast lots to do judgment.  This is in the bible and the bible does not rebuke the practice, so if the bible is against gambling, why then do peole cast lots to arrive at a life and death decision making?  They call this judiciary gambling although the people who cast lots have nowhere to lose anything but the person involved may lose his life and the judicial bases their decision on chance by relying on casting lots result.

[Josefjix]

Just a short story I will like to tell before the main discussion, I was opportuned to listen on a telephone conversation between a man and a Clergy, what he ask was that if it is right for someone to gamble and won a jackpot, then bring a percentage of the winning to the Clergy, will he accept such as a sacrifice for the growth and developments of the religion? Knowing that the money was gotten from gambling fortune, the Clergy accepted the money but condem gambling.

The man should've asked the church not the clergy himself that question, on what fact that the clearly accepted the money, for his personal interest or for the growth of the church? and where was the transaction done, in Clergy's office or on the alter. With this information I can know whether the clergy used the man intentions to support himself or the church because some clergy will hide the money for his personal use and not for the church

Secondly, some of us have been arguing on this before time, but I want us to go wide on this discussion using different approaches over it, which may includes the religious, political, economical and social believes to why Clergy men should gamble or not, lets sight examples where necessary, prove our point and learn from each other's opinion.

Clergy can never gamble because gambling does not work according to God's plan for increasing wealth. Wealth according to nature is creating a system that produces and develops itself gradually over time. Growth in creation happens in a gradual process even in plant and animal, so that's how growing money was meant to be. Also, a clergy is a leader and what a leader does is what the followers learn, so if a clergy is preaching bad about gambling and still goes on to gambling is also teaching his followers to do the same which is not proper, you must do what you preach for the sake of your followers as well as being an example.

[Raflesia]

We cannot make something that is considered a sin into a good thing in the eyes of religion because in the end right and wrong in religion is actually absolute without any offer even though in some conditions it can be understood by people involved in religion such as religious leaders but not from the religion itself for several reasons.

The law in religion is actually an absolute thing but when there is a different view when it comes to the treatment of gambling I think it is only to the person's judgment not the religion even though the one who said it was a religious leader but it is clear that it is only an individual perspective in the end not to religion because for me sacred things like religion are absolute where right will remain right and wrong will remain wrong cannot be mixed because black and white always go hand in hand and there will be no gray to make it seem as if black and white are blurred.
Gambling has always been considered a sin for religion, so there is no need to make any excuses as if we are someone who is good because in the end we are only committing a sin even though we want to give the money we have (even though it is the result of gambling profits to religious leaders) what we do still does not immediately erase the fact that gambling is a sin.

[danherbias07]

I don't think that the negative perception attached to gambling will ever stop because as long as gambling exists, we would always have irresponsible gamblers who will paint gambling to look bad in the eyes of the public. Addiction is the major cause of why people see gambling as social vice. Assuming since onset, gamblers gamble in the lowest minimal to avoid addiction, we wouldn't be hearing all the negative speeches from people about gambling. Lazy people want to make a fortune from gambling which might increase the rate of addiction.

You're right man, as long as people are there tho gamble responsibly and there are gambling addicts, gambling would always be seen as bad by some people who judge based on what they see and not facts or truths about a subject. Both of us know that there's no way everybody would act rationally, people are known to abuse things, which brings us here and always gives gambling a bad name.

If people can learn to gamble responsibly or government can fully enforce it on the casinos not allow irresponsible gambling, I believe we would have a better stake at improving the image of gambling, and I think governmental enforcement would be more effective.

Well, the gambling industry and the companies always put that note to "gamble responsibly" after their advertisements, but I doubt it works. There must be another way to let it sink in to people that they should not get too deep in gambling, but I don't really know how it can be done.

It's true that humans are known to abuse everything, especially if it feels good for them. Food, drugs, alcohol, and other addictive substances could ruin their life. Gambling can also make a person feel good after winning, and I think that's the start of a probable addicted person. He/She will try to taste that sweet win again and will go hunting for another big multiplier. It's highly addictive, and I can tell because I've been there.

[TheUltraElite]

If people can learn to gamble responsibly or government can fully enforce it on the casinos not allow irresponsible gambling, I believe we would have a better stake at improving the image of gambling, and I think governmental enforcement would be more effective.

Responsible gambling should be emphasized here, if a person is taking responsibility of their actions and how they are affecting the people around them, they would reduce their gambling habits to a minimum, similar to alcohol and smoking. With time they might stop their habits completely.

The religious texts were all written by humans claiming to be people of almighty, we all must understand this. They tried to make a purposeful life for humans who had lost their way, that is why they shunned gambling. Now at this century of science, we should move on from this and take the responsibility of our losses on our own heads, like a mature human being.

[Emeraldo]

To my knowledge, in the Hinduism and Buddhism religion, they also made emphasis on the way gambling can cause greed and it's not in line with what can make people easily become better people in life,

Most religions in the world have shunned gambling because of the ill effects associated with it. However people will still gamble, because it is their personal choice. The religious head does not control the people's actions which is why it not a fascism but a democracy.

Religion is not a democracy. It is faith not a system of governance. We all have free will and this is what we follow. Faith is the basis of our actions and decisions. We are not just following what the religion tells us to do so because it’s right and lawful but because it’s what we believe in. We do not elect religious leaders so it’s not a democracy.

The reason why people still sin is because of free will. They might do things that are prohibited in their religion but that is their cross to bear. It is up to them if they will ever feel guilty and repent or keep doing it. Has there ever been a religious person that never once committed something that is prohibited in their religion? Maybe gambling is also one of those things a lot of religious people can’t give up despite teachings of their religion.

I'm a religious person and I haven't really come across a part of the scripture that condemns gambling, not saying It might not be there but I don't think I have heard anyone preach about it. Gambling to me is a recreational activity and when it's done moderately I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Even religious leaders engage in gambling for fun and it doesn't affect their religion in any Anyway. The problem we have in society is the Stockholm syndrome of religion.

We should not attache religious beliefs with individual life style as it has cause a lot of harm than good in the religious sectors. As some use there personal life as a principle to guide others telling them it is a law from God, backing it up with religious books they believe on.
This is wrong in the right sense. I will also say that some of this religious leader might have done all this because of their experience to gambling or what it has done to people in the time past and still doing to people now

[libert19]

Just a short story I will like to tell before the main discussion, I was opportuned to listen on a telephone conversation between a man and a Clergy, what he ask was that if it is right for someone to gamble and won a jackpot, then bring a percentage of the winning to the Clergy, will he accept such as a sacrifice for the growth and developments of the religion?

It looks like some people are fan of religions. I wouldn't be giving a dime to religious mushrooms.

Knowing that the money was gotten from gambling fortune, the Clergy accepted the money but condem gambling.

What kind of logic is that?

...

Seems pretty hypocritical to me for the religious man to take the money. If he is going to condemn gambling then he should not accept the gains from gambling. Just proves to me that corruption can be found not only in politics, but religion as well. Losing faith in humanity when I read stories such as this 1.

I rate religions and politics both high in scale of 'being garbage'. You may want to check out r/religiousfruitcake — if you want to see the absurdities of religions.

...However if anyone has seen the great HBO show Righteous Gemstones, well there's an example or mockery of how many churches work.  Did they care how they got their money? Heck no. 

Righteous Gemstones added to the watch list and I would also invite you to r/religiousfruitcake if you want to see mockery of religions.