N.C. Religious Leaders Stage Anti-Lottery Rally

Apr 13, 2005, 11:00 am (64 comments)

North Carolina Lottery

On the same day state Senate leaders appointed a special committee to review the lottery bill recently passed by the House, religious leaders rallied outside the Legislative Building to convince lawmakers to reject a lottery.

"Desperate means are an easy way out, and I think the lottery is a desperate means for making finances for America," said Teresa McAllister, an elder with a Fayetteville church.

"The issue is so important to me because family is so important to me," McAllister said. "We're trying to teach the children to get an education, go to work. This is how we fund education, at the same time we're saying the easy way out is that we're not going to trust in God? Why have it on our money?"

Lottery proponents maintain a state-run game could generate up to $500 million a year for school construction, college scholarships and aid for poor school districts.

But opponents said dividing that money among 100 counties is only $5 million per county -- not even enough to pay for one new school.

"It's not a way to raise revenue. We suggested raising the taxes by 1 cent, which would give almost $900 million to the state," said Robert Lewis, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Fayetteville.

Lewis said he ran that idea past state Sen. Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, who is chairing the 21-member lottery committee, and got a cool reception.

"Somebody may even lose their home because some daddy's going to put a lot of money in the lottery thinking, 'This is my ticket out,'" Lewis said.

Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight said he doesn't plan to rush a proposal through the chamber, and a vote could be a few weeks off.

The 21-member committee includes Democratic Sens. Dan Clodfelter of Mecklenburg County, Janet Cowell of Wake County and Martin Nesbitt of Buncombe County, who each have expressed reservations about a stand-alone lottery bill, as well as six Republicans.

With two additional Democrats currently opposed, Senate leaders would have some change some minds to get a bill passed the 50-seat Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, who also is on the committee, said he believes all 21 Republicans in the 50-seat will oppose the lottery.

AP

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JimmySand9

They must be stopped.

byroan

These religious leaders need to burn in h3ll.

Todd's avatarTodd
Quote: Originally posted by byroan on April 13, 2005


These religious leaders need to burn in h3ll.



That is a terrible thing to say.  I couldn't disagree with you stronger.  That is way over-the-top, and not a good way to deal with someone who disagrees with you.
JimmySand9
Quote: Originally posted by Todd on April 13, 2005

That is a terrible thing to say. I couldn't disagree with you stronger. That is way over-the-top, and not a good way to deal with someone who disagrees with you.


I may not like fundementalists either. But just because I disagree with them doesn't mean I think they should suffer eternity in the fiery underworld.
doubledee32

ITS NOT A SIN WHEN YOU WIN!!!!

MillionsWanted's avatarMillionsWanted

Raising taxes will never be popular so sooner or later they will get their lottery.

Money has always been important to the conservaties.

Todd's avatarTodd
Quote: Originally posted by MillionsWanted on April 14, 2005


Raising taxes will never be popular so sooner or later they will get their lottery.
Money has always been important to the conservaties.



Does that mean that money is not important to the liberals?  I think money is important to everyone in government, regardless of their idealogical leanings.

TNPATL

This is simply rediculous. Just because a Lottery comes into your state does NOT mean you have to play. If you don't agree with it, don't play it!!!! That does not mean others who do should not have the opportunity to do so. They are taking things to the extremes.

TNPATL
Quote: "Somebody may even lose their home because some daddy's going to put a lot of money in the lottery thinking, 'This is my ticket out,'" Lewis said.






A person could do this making bad investments, going to Vegas and gambling. A person who loses their house because they played the lottery had way more issues!!!!
Pick-4_Master

These Religious Groups seem to think that GOD has appointed them as the saviours for the residents of NC from SIN,if they would CLEARLY read there Bible "NO WHERE" does it state in the 10 commandments that GAMBLING is a SIN and that's because "IT'S NOT" and why are they so concerned with GAMBLING when there are many other things that people do in that state that can be REALLY HARMFUL to others or themselves.They are always taking up a cause against something that's usually POINTLESS compared to more SERIOUS matters that they could address,what's worse GAMBLING or DRINKING? no one dies from gambling

unless they commit suicide for there LOSSES but DRINKING kills A LOT more people from Drunk Driving or Alcohol Poisoning and I do believe that Drinking Alcohol is LEGAL in NC.And by the way don't be offended by what "Byroan" said because "HELL" doesn't really exist I've done some serious research on it and finally discovered the truth.

Todd's avatarTodd
Quote: Originally posted by Pick-4_Master on April 14, 2005


These Religious Groups seem to think that GOD has appointed them as the saviours for the residents of NC from SIN,if they would CLEARLY read there Bible "NO WHERE" does it state in the 10 commandments that GAMBLING is a SIN and that's because "IT'S NOT" and why are they so concerned with GAMBLING when there are many other things that people do in that state that can be REALLY HARMFUL to others or themselves.They are always taking up a cause against something that's usually POINTLESS compared to more SERIOUS matters that they could address,what's worse GAMBLING or DRINKING? no one dies from gambling
unless they commit suicide for there LOSSES but DRINKING kills A LOT more people from Drunk Driving or Alcohol Poisoning and I do believe that Drinking Alcohol is LEGAL in NC.And by the way don't be offended by what "Byroan" said because "HELL" doesn't really exist I've done some serious research on it and finally discovered the truth.



I'm not a Biblical scholar, but I think the Bible does mention that gambling is a sin.  Not every sin is mentioned in the 10 Commandments.

Also, although I disagree with religious leaders on the issue of lotteries, I have no ill feelings about religious leaders standing up for what they think is right.

Pick4, to answer your question, I believe they think gambling is worse than drinking.  I don't think that the church condones drinking to excess, but if you've ever taken or witnessed communion, you'll notice that it is done with red wine, containing alcohol.  So in my opinion, alcohol is not something completely evil.

Allow religious people to have and hold their opinions, and respect them for standing up for what they think is right.  Do not attempt to demonize them for advocating the way that they do.  Instead, advocate your own position strongly (as I do), and people will dventually come to the right decision -- without the need to besmirch people of strong religious beliefs.

Pick-4_Master

I must correct you on the issue of Gambling being a Sin my Father is A

EXTREME Bible reader and VERY religious person I challenged him to show me where it states that gambling is a SIN in the Bible, what he showed me was a scripture that "COULD BE INTERPRETED" as such it did not CLEARLY state that GAMBLING is a SIN the way Adultry is stated.Basically it made general statements as how you should trust GOD for your Financial well being or to obtain it through hard work but it never said that GOD looked upon gambling as a dIRECT SIN against him or his word.There are many things in the Bible that Religious figures or groups have "twisted" or "molded" so that it would fit there Moral convictions.Slavery in the South was backed by Biblical scriptures that were "mis-interpreted" by people who believed that it was "okay" too do based on the readings of these scriptures.This too me is the same situation regarding Gambling also too clear up my comments so they are not MIS-INTERPRETED I was just making a point I know that they believe Drinking is worse than Gambling and I don't have a problem with them standing up for there Religious Convictions I just dislike it when they feel they have too SAVE everyones Soul based on what they FEEL is a SIN or not good for Man-Kind let Man-Kind decide what's good for him not Religious Figures that try too control our GOD given right too FREE WILL.

That is all no disrespect intended just voicing my opinion the same way they do but more conservatively by not telling people WHAT and HOW they should do things in there lives.I'm not DEMONIZING them or disrespecting them I didn't say they should ROT in HELL in fact none of my comments were insulting.Religious groups do take up causes that are beneficial to Man-Kind but they also have a habit of sticking there noises in other peoples lives/business where it's not needed because there agenda isn't necessarily for man-kind but for there own beliefs and convictions.There are more serious matters plaquing Society that they could be fighting for as fierclely as they are against Gambling like Homelessenss,Child Abuse etc.... I know there are religious groups that do address these matters but they are making this Gambling thing way too important on there agenda.And maybe not all Sins are stated in the 10 Commandments but these are the Laws that Religions adhere to so if it aint in the Commandments then it isn't a Sin as far as I'm concerned.You can't take a bible passage or scripture not in the Commandments "out of context" in order too fit your beliefs which is what's been done for centuries with the Bible."Most" strong willed religious people do have a tendancy to verbally attack and condemn others that don't follow there beliefs. I "Occasionally" find some that are willing to take others opinions or differences kindly and respectfully. I will not comment any further on this subject I've said what I had too say.

CARBOB

 I ,too have no ill feelings about people standing up for what they think is right. But when religious leaders start preaching, "their way is the only way", without anything but quotes from the bible. I get turned off real fast. You can rest assured they don't have any ideas about raising money for education or anything else. They believe they know what's right for everyone. It took years and years before the people in N.C woke up and passed the liquor laws. I was born and raised in N.C across the S.C state line. I lived in N.C and went to school in S.C.  I know, for a fact, a lot of people who got killed in car accidents driving back and forth, into S.C to buy alcohol. Some of those same type of people who were against alcohol are the same type of people that are against the lottery. If the people who want a lottery are a majority, and they are willing to stand up and be counted. They will have a lottery, if not, so be it. If I still lived in N.C, you had better believe, I would be in the fight for a lottery and the hell with the "religious right". What's worse, a gambling habit or ignorance?

 Carbob

golotto

Maybe i missed it while reading the article, but i didn't see any mention by the Church leaders that Bingo is wrong. They never said that Bingo should not be used by churches as a method of fund raising. I know of several churches that host Bingo as a means of raising money. They also support Raffles and even erect tents and sometimes serve Beer during their various religious festivals. Am i missing something or could some Churches be competing for that same dollar that might go for an occasional lottery ticket and support for education? My brother is a pastor, so i'm certainly not against religious views being addressed. I'm certain that they mean well, but as for losing a house by playing a jackpot game ...I've played jackpot games for several years ...at times buying many tickets per draw ...and I have yet to spend enough "in total" for even half of one monthly payment on a mortgage. Playing an occasional jackpot game, with a chance to win, isn't all that expensive - and besides - the money goes for good causes.

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