wfn.org | ELCA Seminary Opposes Gambling Expansion In Gettysburg Area

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 10, 2005

ELCA Seminary Opposes Gambling Expansion In Gettysburg Area
05-087-FI/JS*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board of the Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG), Pa., decided May 4 to register its
opposition to a slot-machine casino proposed for the Gettysburg
area.  "The expansion of gambling is not healthy for this or any
other community that cares about its quality of life and its
commitments to education, history and the common good," the board
said.
     LTSG has been preparing church leaders in Gettysburg since
1826, making it the oldest of eight seminaries of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
     A developer announced plans April 26 to build the proposed
gambling facility on the east edge of the historic Pennsylvania
town.
     "Gettysburg Seminary has a long-standing commitment to be a
good citizen, concerned for the well-being of this community that
is our home.  Our board went on record opposing activities that
in our best judgment will detract from the well-being of local
residents and our millions of guests," said the Rev. Michael
Cooper-White, LTSG president.
     The seminary board called on "the greater Gettysburg
community, its institutions and governmental authorities to join
in opposition against any plans to develop a legalized gambling
enterprise in Adams County of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
     The board cited three issues as bases for its action:
economic justice, community impact and symbolic consideration of
Gettysburg as a national historic treasure.
     A background section of the board's statement cited concerns
about the impact on the community both in human terms and in
potentially hidden costs in such areas as public services, law
enforcement, land use and existing retail segments of the
economy.
     "For Gettysburg to host a gambling facility of any kind is
to cheapen and diminish the symbolic value of this place and to
abandon the historic witness it plays in American history.
Gettysburg, known around the world for its turning point in a
great civil war, became a symbol of societal and national unity
and sacrifice for the sake of human dignity and freedom," the
background section said.
     "In the place where so many gave their last full measure of
devotion, there is already too much commercialism connected to
the battle," said the Rev. Dennis K. Hagstrom, LTSG board member,
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Centreville, Va.
     The Rev. Donald J. McCoid, the LTSG board's chair-elect and
bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Pittsburgh,
said the most important factors for the seminary's opposition is
the concern for the impact upon the "health of the community and
the historic witness of the church" against expansion of
gambling.  He said the seminary's opposition is consistent with
resolutions taken by his own and several other synods in
Pennsylvania.
     The 24-member board also cited the impact the proposed slot-
machine casino would have on the quality of life for the 300
students who live and learn on campus and in the area.
-- -- --
     The full statement of the board of the Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg is at
http://www.ltsg.edu/news/contragambling.htm on the seminary's Web
site.

* The Rev. John R. Spangler is director of mission interpretation
and communication, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg,
Pa.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news