By Ed Vasicek
Jan
14
2016
With an over $1 billion dollar jackpot in Indiana, people are buying more lottery tickets than ever.
What do you think about the ethics of this?
I think many of us would argue that it is money wasted and not wise, but there is a difference between our opinion as to what is wise and what is right or wrong. After all, people waste money on all sorts of things.
Would you disqualify one from church leadership for buying a lottery ticket?
So where do you stand?
As always, some of you will not find a perfect fit answer. Choose the right fit. You can approximate truth in a poll like this -- it is understood as such.
Gambling in general is not bad if self-controlled, including lottery tickets.
0% (0 votes)
Buying lottery tickets on occasion or in moderation is perfectly fine.
4% (1 vote)
I am not comfortable buying one myself, but do not think it is wrong for others to do so.
13% (3 votes)
I am unsure about the ethics of moderate gambling, but it is not big deal.
4% (1 vote)
I am neutral or do not even want to give it thought.
8% (2 votes)
I am against it and think it is wrong, but no big deal.
21% (5 votes)
I am firmly against it and think it is wrong and is a big deal.
46% (11 votes)
Other
4% (1 vote)
Total votes: 24
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There are 6 Comments
Why it's wrong
At least 4 reasons it's wrong...
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Regressive voluntary tax
http://www.vox.com/identities/2016/1/13/10763268/lottery-poor-prey
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Jim's Doctrinal Statement
Yes, I have a friend who
Yes, I have a friend who calls it a "tax on stupidity."
As far as ethics, I think the important principles are:
- What we hope in. A lot of people buy hoping to get rich to have a better life.
- The God-serving goodness that is working and providing for a family.
- The sovereignty of God in trials, including poverty.
The State always looking for new revenue
The State always looking for new revenue.
In the case of Minnesota it is laughable:
In the case of the lottery, the state loves it because fools don't recognize it as a tax (imagine proposing to tax the poor at 6%! (quote above))
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Jim's Doctrinal Statement
What's the difference between this and the lottery?
http://www.churchinhardplaces.com/win/
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Jim's Doctrinal Statement
Value
The difference is that "winners" are drawn from a pool of people who are going to get value for their spend (they buy the book, and drawn winners also get something more).
So, imagine a lottery where you buy a $3 gallon of milk (or whatever milk goes for these days.. never drink anymore) and your name goes into the PowerBall. ... it would sell more milk to be sure, but I can't say there's anything wrong w/buying milk that way. (In the long run, the thing would have to be funded somehow though, so I supposed it would result in more expensive milk?)
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.