THE EDITOR, Sir:

I wish to add my voice to the Church and others that have stated their disappointment in the Government giving the go-ahead for the introduction of casino gambling.

I love my country with a passion and it saddens me to think that with all our natural beauty, people and great weather, we could not put our collective minds to attracting development in other areas. An excellent suggestion was made by Rev Notice to make Jamaica a prime conference destination. I think this should be seriously looked into. We could also incorporate other family-oriented attractions to present a total package.

I have observed that games of chance have been permeating the media and that our people are being systematically brainwashed into accepting this as normal. Even our children can be seen spinning roulette wheels on a show that is seemingly educational.

We need to take a serious look at the damage that is being done to the psyche of our people, especially the young, by games of chance and other forms of gambling. Remember that the children are our future.

I am, etc.,

PAULINE SMITH

psmithjam@hotmail.com

THE EDITOR, Sir:

God forbids gambling for the following reasons.

First, gambling breaks the commandment to love your neighbour as yourself. (See Matt 22:39; 7:12). The persons who earn the lowest amount of money for themselves and their families are tempted to gamble away the little that they have. In fact, they gamble more frequently than those who are financially better off.

If we love others we will not want to tempt them to do that which hurts them and their families.

Honest labour

Second, gambling discourages honest labour. Since a person may win a lot of money by gambling, why should he or she spend their time working so hard to earn far less money? There is, therefore, a temptation for a person to concentrate on getting more money in the less strenuous way of gambling.

Prov 13:11 teaches: "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."

Third, gambling becomes addictive, for a person believes that if he keeps on gambling, he will win eventually.

Therefore, I call on the prime minister to remember that righteousness (not the love of money nor the desire to get rich quickly) exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. (See Prov 14:34).

I am, etc.,

LESLIE JOSEPH

BUCKLAND (Jr)

joe_buckland@yahoo.com

Meadowbrook

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Successive governments in this country continue to behave like spoilt children, who will do what they want despite the warnings of their parents, then expect their parents to save them from the consequences of their bad choices.

The Church has been warning the governments of this country against introducing casino gambling for years but, as usual, Government only wants to hear from the Church when it suits them, for example, when they want the Church to encourage its members to vote for them.

After they are elected, they do not want to hear from the Church, especially when they are contradicted on moral grounds. When they begin to reap the consequences of their actions, they begin to ask the age-old question, "What is the Church doing?" This can be equated with the question, "Why doesn't God stop suffering?" when most suffering is caused by our greed and insensitivity.

The fact is that the Church can do very little to help people unless they listen. Who is listening? People should know that despite its imperfections, the Church is still the voice of God.

Our present prime minister gave the impression that he is part of the Church. The introduction of casino gambling in my opinion, is Mr Golding's first major mistake.

Let the Government know that as night follows day, we will reap the consequences of gambling and any other form of immorality that we sanction in this country!

I am, etc.,

IVY ISAACS-BULGIN

stone5947@yahoo.com

THE EDITOR, Sir:

With government approval of casino gaming, we can now welcome foreign investors to the new market. We can also welcome a minimum investment of US$1.5 billion; the creation of at least 1,000 new hotel rooms; the increase of tourist visits to our shores; the creation of 'jobs and more jobs'; and a fast decline in our moral and social standards.

The last is a theoretical claim by isolated individual religious followers.

True stance

But the Church as a body is yet to declare its true stance against gambling and ultimately casino 'gaming' being introduced in Jamaica.

What actions have been taken by the Church umbrellas such as the Jamaica Council of Churches, to prevent the inception and growth of gambling or the euphemistic 'casino gaming' in Jamaica?

The lack of unison in the Church to decry the almost unanimous decision of both the Government and Opposition to introduce casinos in the country is a demonstration that indeed the Church is failing to uphold, instil and defend good moral, ethical and religious values in our society.

If it wasn't for the initiative of the media to solicit comments from a few members of the clergy, apart from what is preached at the congregations, we would hear nothing about the Church's stance on this issue.

Remain silent

It would be best if the Church continues to remain silent.

For the Church to oppose casino gambling now, it would just be merely political.

The churches had the resources and forums at their disposal to actively lobby against such a venture.

But once again they have failed.

Their argument that the Government could have found alternatives to gain financial and economical benefits is flawed.

Too late! Too late! The Govern-ment has already given an articulate debate.

I am, etc.,

ADRIAN MORGAN

anmorg55@yahoo.com

THE EDITOR, Sir:

In reply to the clergy protesting casino gambling in Jamaica, is it not known to them that members of the church in general, even their own congregations, are indulging in Cash Pot, Lucky 5 and Lotto? Are not these gambling? Have they ever stopped to question the source of the offering they receive on a weekly or monthly basis?

I am a Christian and it is not my business what anyone else wants to do with his or her money. There is a well-established casino in a certain tourist resort in Jamaica. Our hotels also have casinos.

Have we ever stopped to think that most of the visitors to Jamaica spend most of their time in the casino on the ship?

These religious leaders are only thinking about themselves and not the country at large. The Church should mind its own business and leave politics alone. It is a dangerous thing to have church and state unity.

I am, etc.,

KEISHA BOSWELL

keishab1235@hotmail.com

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Why so much antagonism towards gambling since the announcement by the prime minister of the granting of casino licences to investors? I think the saturation of gambling machines, lotto and various forms of gambling do more harm than casino gaming.

Bombarded by ads

You see, the ordinary Jamaican who is gambling away his or her hard-earned pay will not be interested in going to the north coast to gamble when it is readily accessible just around the corner. Moreover, with Jamaicans being constantly bombarded by ads on television, radio and in newspapers, telling them how they can 'step up in life', it is difficult for them not to take a chance on the game.

The gaming rooms do not hire many workers. At the end of the day, they just empty their booty from the machines and have them refilled by the same 'fools' the next day. The casinos will create steady employment for thousands and will ensure hotel rooms are filled with guests who will spend their money - not just in gambling but also to see other attractions.

The many gaming rooms around now are not regulated in terms of how much the machines should pay out or the percentage kept for the gaming house.

Some high-profile church members keep saying the Govern-ment should find other means to finance education and health for the benefit of the poor, but cannot seem to come up with any solution. May I suggest that they offer to pay taxes just like other commercial businesses here. After all, they seem to run their churches very profitably.

Please, churches, campaign against all forms of gambling and not just the ones that may benefit the country most.

I am, etc.,

PETIUS CHANG

kwai80@hotmail.com