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June 20, 2008 | 9:26 am
God’s Blog #3: Gambling
Posted by Brad A. Greenberg
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My servant, Greenberg, will be leaving this weekend for Sin City. I am disappointed, but have faith—yes, even the omniscient have faith—that he will behave himself. He tells me he only goes for the gambling, and mainly poker at that.
You’re surprised that I approve of such seemingly sinful behavior? That’s because games of chance are one of those unnecessary taboos for the godly.
Show Me one place in My holy book where I forbid gambling. (Also not in the Bible, promises that if you give your SS check to a televangelist, I will reward you with a new Cadillac.) My ministers will say you should be a good steward of what you’re given and should not attempt to get rich quick or fall in love money. And these words of wisdom are very true. Compulsive gambling, pseudo-professional gambling, these are behaviors I can’t approve. But gambling as affordable entertainment—to rip the industry’s motto—that’s something I would, er, bet on.
I’m not a gambler myself. If I was, you could imagine a scenario like the premise of “Back to the Future Part II”: old Biff brings back a sports almanac from 2015, which his younger self uses to bet on sports and become wildly rich. But I don’t need an almanac from the future, and I already own the whole universe.
Have fun, Greenberg. You owe Me.
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Funny topic to introduce, like God has no greater concerns.
I am peripherally aware of ongoing Christian preaching railing against gambling, but for the reasons of addiction and dissolution rather than explicit sin. I have never heard any sermonizong on the topic in Judaism. There is a bit of Talmudic discussion on the topic as seen here http://www.jewishmag.com/64mag/gambling/gambling.htm and here http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Shokel/981029_WagersOfSin.html but the disapproval is indirect. A case could be made on the defective faith that gambling seems to employ. My rabbi once said (sounds better with Hebrew jargon but I’ll try)
For the sake of giving God an opening to help you, buy a lottery ticket,
but for the sake of faith, buy only one.
Did you delete my comment or did I neglect to submit it?
BP,
I didn’t delete your comment, but it was for some reason flagged as spam. I’ve approved it.
It is possible that ‘gambling’ is a keyword for the filter.
Is gambling an affordable entertainment?
Wouldn’t we all love to get our hands of Biff’s almanac!
Michael
Free Online Poker Guide
Did you have a good time in that dump, Las Vegas? For me, Vegas is for entertainment, online is where the money is
When you are fond of casinos or gambling, there is nothing else you want to do but to play conveniently and leisurely. This is now made possible with online gambling casinos. Players can now play or bet from the comfort of their home.
playing <a >online slots</a> is fun, and your right easy from home, but you can’t beat the atmosphere and feeling you get when your in a casino playing against other people.