wfn.org | Pastors oppose legalization of casinos in Taiwan

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>Taiwan Church News

>2969-2970 Edition

>January 19~February 1, 2009

Pastors oppose legalization of casinos in Taiwan

>Reported by staff

>Written by Lydia Ma

The Ma administration is convinced that setting up casinos in  Taiwan’s offshore islands is a policy that will benefit residents  living there. However, pastors living in offshore islands vehemently  oppose and condemn this new policy. Residents living in offshore islands  also worry that the new policy will worsen public security, damage the  ecosystem, and mislead the next generation of children and youth. To the  surprise of many, some Nationalist (KMT) legislators who are also  Christians voted in support of legalizing casinos in offshore islands.

>Kinmen residents say “No, thanks!”

According to Kinmen Sha-Mei Presbyterian Church Pastor Wang Shin-an,  residents have not yet reacted to the Offshore Islands Development Act.  Pastor Wang believes this is partly because Kinmen is a remote island a  bit farther away from Taiwan. However, he predicts that it is unlikely  that residents will be attracted to a casino should one be built on the  island. As far as he knows, most residents think it is unlikely for  casinos to be built in Kinmen because the island already has a booming  Kaoliang liquor industry that generates over $100 million NTD (about $3  million USD) in profits annually for the island. Since everyone’s  focus is on the liquor industry, residents have not shown much interest  nor discussed in detail the economic impact a casino may have on Kinmen.

Wang feels that people should not merely consider the economic effects  of casinos, but focus instead on the effect casinos will have on other  areas such as public safety, education, environmental concerns,  transportation, etc. He points out that public safety was relatively  good in Kinmen because the island used to be partially militarized and  served as an important military facility. However, once direct links  were opened between Kinmen and China to facilitate trade between Taiwan  and China, public safety became progressively worse. This example should  serve as a cautionary tale for anyone planning to build a casino in  Kinmen. One can only imagine how a casino might further erode public  safety there.

Orchid Island will not be a haven for gambling

“We will definitely not let such a filthy thing enter!”  exclaimed Tao ethnic group leader and Presbyterian Church in Taiwan  (PCT) Pastor Zou Ding-song, who is also the regional PCT assembly  moderator. He adds that all pastors in Orchid Island have agreed to make  the island a place where the gospel can flourish. This means that  pastors are committed to keeping all aspects of life in Orchid Island  pure and holy, and destructive attractions such as casinos will not be  tolerated. Zou adds that Tao people are very child-like and do not want  to live complicated lives. He plans to bring up this issue during a  regional meeting in the spring to make sure that local leaders are  united in opposing the construction of casinos in Orchid Island.

“We will not use referendum. That’s the way Han people do  business!” exclaimed Zou. He reminded people that the national  government had passed legislation in the past relating to self-autonomy  of aboriginals without any regard for the Tao people or their opinions.  The same pattern of behavior is being manifested in the recent Offshore  Islands Development Act. Zou feels that the national government has no  respect for the Tao people at all and treats them as sub-humans.  “These Han people are so detestable! They always make decisions for  the Tao people without asking us!” He urges the national government  to treat the Tao people as equal human beings and respect the human  rights, autonomy, and way of life of those living in Orchid Island.

Another leader from Orchid Island pointed out that residents were  opposed to storing nuclear wastes in the island and they will oppose  casinos as well for the same reason – because they do not want  anything that will harm younger generations entering Orchid Island.  “Orchid Island is ruled by the Tao people. It is also a place  inhabited by many Presbyterians. You want to build a casino here? Beware  of our long spears because many elders here still carry them! Regardless  of what the legislature says, this island only has room for the gospel.  It will not become a haven for gambling. Our ancestors did not even know  what a coin looked like, let alone gambling!” bellowed Pastor Chang  Hai-yu, leader of Dong-Ching Presbyterian Church in Orchid Island. He  explained that Tao people are extremely conservative and their lives  revolved around fly-fishing and planting yams. Tourist attractions such  as casinos will neither be tolerated at the present nor in the future.

Christians in Pescadores Islands divided over building casinos

Despite opposition from local pastors, it is likely that a casino will  be built in Pescadores (Penghu) Islands. According to Ma-Kong  Presbyterian Church Pastor Shia De-huei, it is very difficult to discuss  this issue with local church members as most of them support building  casinos as a means to improve their livelihood. A lot of residents are  enticed by government claims that a casino will bring in profits  exceeding $50 billion NTD (about $1.4 billion USD) annually. Pastor Shia  has been pastoring at Ma-Kong for seven years and he knows very well  what worries Pescadores residents most. Tourists do not visit the island  during winter seasons, leaving most residents without income six months  out of every year, which explains people’s interest in building  casinos to attract tourists during the winter.

>From a spiritual standpoint, Pastor Shia opposes gambling because  Scripture teaches that the love of money is the root of all evil. He  points out that this is a common teaching in all world religions.  However, he has a difficult time discussing the new legislation at  church and feels pressured to heed the congregation’s reaction.  “If I’m not careful, church members will say the pastor is  messing with politics,” he said resignedly. He mentioned that some  people issued threats while participating in a joint prayer meeting in  Ma-Kong, and some elders from local churches refused to attend prayer  meetings once they found out that the theme of the prayer meeting was to  seek God’s guidance on whether the island should set up casinos.  When the Offshore Islands Development Act was passed in the national  legislature after a third reading, Pastor Shia could only respond to the  news in a low-key manner by printing a reminder on the church bulletin  advising church members to pray and ask God for wisdom regarding this  issue. He felt he could not openly and clearly state his opposition on  this issue. Nevertheless, he encourages church members to take part in a  local referendum on this issue when the time comes. “If those who  oppose casinos become too discouraged to vote, then, the measure will  surely and easily pass!” he said.

Ma-Kong Presbyterian Church Elder Shih Bi-ju opposes setting up casinos  in Pescadores Islands on the grounds that it will ruin the ecosystem.  “This is a tough battle, may God have mercy on us!” she says.  Shih has lobbied against gambling for a long time and regrets that  church members are so supportive of the Offshore Islands Development  Act. She knows that pastors Pescadores Islands are in a tough spot.  “We have many natural attractions and artificial sceneries here.  Those sites are enough for us, we don’t need a casino!” says  Shih. Though she is not a Pescadores native, she moved there after  getting married and soon fell in love with its beautiful and pristine  scenery. Pescadores Islands are known for fishing villages, basalt  columns, and natural vegetation.

“Why don’t we let the public know the truth?” exclaimed  Shih. She could not bear seeing government officials across Pescadores  County using all available resources toward brainwashing the people on  the benefits of casinos. She cited a recent public orientation meeting  in preparation for a local referendum on whether or not to build casinos  where public officials and corporations presented a one-sided argument  by touting the positive aspects of casinos while remaining silent on the  negative effects casinos may bring to the islands. Those who opposed  casinos did not have any opportunity to present their views and were  relegated to asking questions along with the rest of the audience.  Furthermore, local newspapers have completely buried stories and opinion  articles opposing casinos.

In light of this trend, Shih urges Taiwanese churches, regardless of  denomination, to support Pescadores Islands by asking their pastors to  issue a news release opposing the building of casinos in Pescadores  Islands. She also urges churches to list this issue as a prayer item in  their weekly bulletins. She encourages pastors and church members to  submit opinion articles to all major newspapers voicing their opposition  to building casinos. Finally, everyone should contact anti-gambling  lobbying organizations and stay tuned to future developments.

Christian legislators have a lot of explaining to do

When the Offshore Islands Development Act was passed during a third  reading in the national legislature, all Nationalist (KMT) members of  the legislature voted in support of the bill – including five  self-professing Christian legislators Chien Tung-ming, Chu Fong-chi,  Liao Kuo-tung, Chang Hsien-yao, and Kung Wen-chi. When interviewed by  Taiwan Church News, Chien and Chu said they were opposed to building  casinos, but voted in support of the bill because a few sections in the  bill called for reducing sales tax and customs tax on offshore islands.  Kung said he supported casinos in general, but would oppose building  them on aboriginal reserves. The other two Christian legislators were  not available for comments. According to Citizen Congress Watch CEO He  Zong-shiun, legislators who support reducing taxes on offshore islands  but oppose casinos could have proposed a separate bill targeting taxes  instead and voted against the Offshore Islands Development Act.  Supporting the entire legislation just because it contains a few good  clauses merely fuels suspicion and misunderstanding, and promotes  gambling.

Anti-Gambling supporters and lobbyists hold up signs during a protest  in

front of Pescadores Islands County Hall three years ago.

>(Photo by Pescadores Anti-Gambling Alliance)

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