Is Gambling a 'Sin'? is Christianity a Gamble?

Question

There's a lot of debate about this question in Christian circles, and not all Christians agree on whether there is something wrong with gambling in itself or if it is only a problem when done to excess. Why should atheists care? Because the answers to this question carry interesting implications for Christianity as a whole.

First we need to ask, just what is gambling anyway? Gambling involves betting, whether individually or in pools, in games of chance where the odds of winning or losing are artificially created so that those who win do so (at least in part) at the expense of those who lose. The winnings are not earned; rather, they are the product of luck and maybe a little skill in working the odds.

Next we need to look at the particulars of the debate itself. Most Christian theologians and philosophers have argued that there is nothing inherently wrong with gambling. Instead, the dangers lie in an excess of gambling: when a person is unable to control the urge to gamble.

or gambles to the point that other basic needs go unmet, then the gambling is wrong.

This is basically a sociological rather than a theological position because it criticizes gambling, not based upon scripture, revelation, or religious tradition, but rather because of the sociological effects it produces when pursued farther than it really should be. Thus, these arguments against gambling could be made by anyone - there is nothing especially "Christian" about them.

There is another, much stricter Christian position which is theological in that it is based upon scripture, revelation, and tradition. Specifically, it argues that gambling is always wrong, no matter what the ultimate effects, because it is an attempt to get something for nothing and at the expense of those who must ultimately lose.

This is considered wrong because it contravenes Jesus' command that we should love our neighbors as we love God. Since we would never try to gain at God's expense, then we certainly should not try to gain at our neighbor's expense. It doesn't matter how much control a gambler has or how much the gambler is able to lose - what matters is the gambler's interest in receiving an undeserved gain while others at the same time lose. Gambling is, then, a violation of Jesus' most basic commandment for humanity.

These two conflicting positions lead to a further conflict in how a Christian should react to gambling, whether on a personal or political level. Should gambling be outlawed or at least strongly discouraged because it undermines basic Christian values? Or should gambling be permitted but not encouraged, much less publicly financed and supported, lest it get out of control and cause social harm?

Thanks for reading. *waiting for mindless fundie drivel*

Answer 1

no athiesm is a gamble, if we are wrong we lose nothing, if athiest are wrong, they lose everything

Answer 2

As you, yourself, pointed in the very quesion, most only consider gambling a sin if it becomes an addiction or otherwise takes over their life.

My sect does not accept tithing on money won by gambling (but the casino workers pay tithing on their wages).

OTOH, my dad treats it as entertainment. He sets aside a "reasonable" amount of money (generally the same amount it costs for a movie or a book) with which to gamble, and when it's gone it's gone. He knows his limit so we'll never lose the house. He only visits the casinos on rare occasions - when we're driving through Vegas.

Answer 3

I didn't read your whole question. My opinion is that gambling can be a sin just like many things that are fun. Just gambling for enjoyment is not bad if its done responsibly. Gambling in order to fulfill some other need is wrong. Gambling that puts your finances at risk is wrong.

Answer 4

75% of the world's Christians are Catholic,so if by "Christian" you mean fundamentalist,you are abusing the term and also inviting confused responses to your question. I assume you are referring to fundie sanctions against any game of risk. It is not hard to spell "fundamentalist" , or fundie for short. I will answer as a Catholic,and also as a being possessed with common sense. Compulsive or regular gambling is unwise even by secular standards,so of course any priest would advise against it. You would be referred to Gamblers Anonymous. As to the metaphysical aspect,hey man,everything is a gamble; try thinking of something that isn't.

Answer 5

Gambling in any form is not prohibited by the Bible. It's a man-made idea. Gambling is preached as being wrong only because whatever you lose at the blackjack table is less money you coud be giving to the church. The Catholics avoid this problem well by hosting their own gambling establishments i.e. Bingo and gambling tables at church sponsored carnivals.

However, this is not the meat of the issue you raised.

I first need to correct you on one small point:

You wrote: "Jesus' command that we should love our neighbors as we love God."

Actually, the scripture reads "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Mat 22:37-39)

You also wrote: " Since we would never try to gain at God's expense, then we certainly should not try to gain at our neighbor's expense."

I mostly agree with this statement but I look at it this way. The loser at the slots is throwing his money away in a vain attempt for personal gain. There are going to be many more losers than winners and the losers money goes to the casino, a multimillion dollar establishment, and will wind up being spent on expensive cars, women, thousand dollar suits, million dollar homes etc. If a person chooses to gamble and wins, he's not taking anything away from the losers...that's already the casino's money. People are going to gamble and lose whether you play (win or lose) or not. If you win, you're taking money from the casino, not the people.

And may I suggest doing something helpful with a portion of your winnings i.e. buy a meal for a homeless person, send $25 to your favorite charity or maybe just buy yourself some new clothes and donate old ones to a charity,? That way, you're giving to God...something the casino owners aren't likely to do.

As to the matter of "over doing it", I believe that anyone who plays to the point of causing any type of financial harm to themselves or others should seek help...spiritual or secular...because it's an unhealthy lifestyle no matter whether they're theist or not.

I used to know a guy in Laughlin, NV. He lived in squaller because all his money went to the casinos. He was of no help to himself, let alone anyone else. I haven't heard from him in years. I hope he got help...again, I say spiritual or secular...because I would like for him to be living a happier, heathier, more productive and prosperous life.

A person's choice to gamble has to be a personal one. Only God can be the judge of whether someone is wrong in their actions.

Personally, I'm not really a gambler. I rarely buy a lotter ticket. The last one was a scratch off months ago...spent a dollar, won a dollar and quit. I have gone to the slots a few times with a limited amount of money ($20 or so) and I've even gone to a couple casinos in Vegas (on my honeymoon) and blown a little more than I should have. I believe what little gambling I do is reasonable and responsible.

Since I ask for forgiveness for everything displeasing to Him every night when I pray, if God does see anything wrong with what I'm doing, I'm forgiven...just as I am for any transgression, intended or accidental.

When it comes to other people, I neither condemn gambling nor endorse it. As I said, it's a personal choice and it's between God and them.

Answer 6

I don't gamble anymore. I used to like to play Blackjack, or the slots in Vegas. I usually lost. Decided it wasn't a good way to use my money. The bible admonishes me to be a good steward of those things God has given me, and that includes the money I earn.

And honey...it's not very nice to ask a question and then slap people in the face calling whatever they may answer "drivel".

Answer 7

Who can actually tell me what a sin is. A sin to you might not be a sin to me. I mean who decides all this sin business anyway? The Bible? Man wrote the bible. Not God and not Jesus. The Bible is man's interpretation of what God and Jesus wanted for and from man. And man is certainly not infallible. I personally believe in a forgiving God who certainly doesn't care much about gambling.

Answer 8

it could be sinful if you do it and cause other Christians to endanger their faith because they see you do it...


...they could be like "hey, they are a strong Christian, but they gamble...if they who are strong can't even keep from gambling then what hope do I have at being a Christian..."

They may not understand that gambling isn't by itself wrong, they may only know that gambling is bad...

......in Roman 14 Paul states:

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

ok...this is to say that meat itself is not bad, but if another Christian sees you eat meat in front of them and is "grieved" (meaning the other Christian sees you doing something that could take them away from their Christian faith) and you know it, then you are liable if you don't stop doing that thing in front of them...



....also there's no gambling when you're a Christian...its the ultimate sure thing

Answer 9

Luck does not exist in the Bible.
I don't know that the Bible says gambling is a sin. I believe that it is not right to profit off of someone else's loss.

Answer 10

Gambling, who cares. It doesn't really affect a christian unless it takes over your life, the same as anyone else. Any one who says they don't buy a lottery ticket and is a christian is probably a liar.

Answer 11

There is no sin unless you law impute it; And if you law impute sin, you also law impute death unto yourself, as law is both the ministration of condemnation and the ministration of death, the source and the strength of sin's death "sting". Holy Bible: New Testament: Romans 5:13; 1Corinthians 15:56; 2Corinthians 3:7,9.

Law imputued sin, when "it is finished", brings forth death (not life): Holy Bible: New Testament: James 1:15.

Of this/that Gods high/higher, "that God" in "Christ" reconciling the world unto himself, did NOT law impute any sin unto them: 2Corinthians 5:19; For law imputed sin also imputes the accursed death sentence to all = extinction.

Grace God in higher heaven is about salvation, not extinction.
Law God on high in heavens is about extinction, not salvation.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.