wfn.org | Members, ministers disagree on morality of gambling

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Note #6176 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

30-August-2000
00314

Members, ministers disagree on morality of gambling

PC(USA) members are more likely to wager than their pastors

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE -- Presbyterian ministers and members disagree sharply on whether
gambling is immoral, according to the February 2000 Presbyterian Panel
survey conducted by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Research Services
office.
	Whatever their views on the morality of the activity, a lot of
Presbyterians participate in legal gambling.
	Among church members, 35 percent agree and 51 percent disagree that "all
gambling is immoral." The numbers are almost exactly reversed for ministers,
with 52 percent agreeing and 36 percent disagreeing that gambling is
immoral.
	Almost two-thirds of members (64 percent) and elders (65 percent) and
almost half of pastors (44 percent) and specialized clergy (49 percent)--
the four samples of Presbyterians surveyed by the panel -- reported
participating in some form of legal gambling in the past year.
	The most popular forms of gambling (in ascending order of frequency) were
raffles, state lotteries, friendly wagers, casino gambling and office pools.
	Half of the members and elders surveyed, two-thirds of specialized clergy
and 80 percent of pastors agreed that "legalized gambling undermines the
principles of responsible Christian stewardship." Smaller percentages agreed
that "the spirit of legalized gambling is in direct opposition to the Spirit
of Jesus Christ."
	The major reasons panelists gave for approving gambling were entertainment
value and the production of government revenue.
	The major reasons for disapproving of wagering were belief that it is
addictive and concern that it causes problems for families.
	Yet few panelists -- 6 percent of members, pastors and other clergy and 4
percent of elders -- reported that gambling has been a problem within their
own families. One-third of members and elders said they know at least one
problem gambler, and 60 percent of pastors said gambling has been a source
of problems for at least one member of their congregation.
	Far more panelists believe the effects of gambling on society in general
are bad than good, but majorities of members (53 percent) and elders (54
percent), and large minorities of pastors (45 percent) and other clergy (49
percent) agreed that "when casinos open in a community it helps the local
economy."
	More than two-thirds of members and elders and more than 90 percent of
ministers said they think it's appropriate for the General Assembly to take
a stand on legalized gambling, but less than a third of Presbyterian church
members were aware that the Assembly has repeatedly expressed opposition to
all forms of gambling.
	The Presbyterian Panel is a statistically accurate measure of the attitudes
and opinions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Randomly selected
panelists participate in several surveys a year for three years.

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