What does the bible have against gambling?

[Zablorg]

I mean, apart from being a somewhat stupid thing to do, what exactly does the bible claim is so sinful about the exchanging of money through random events? Despite all these fundie sites claiming that it is evil, I have yet to see even a flawed explanation for why it is.

[The Spartan]

SAB There seem to be verses for and against.

Baring the above, anti-gambling Christians probably oppose it on grounds of Greed, one of the seven deadly sins, and because other vices typically go with it, particularly alcohol and sex.

[Tanasinn]

I've always held the rather cynical belief that religion will ban anything more entertaining than worship in an attempt to "force" people into obsession with a given invisible man, since everything else is banned anyway.

[CaptJodan]

I've always held the rather cynical belief that religion will ban anything more entertaining than worship in an attempt to "force" people into obsession with a given invisible man, since everything else is banned anyway.

My grandmother was afraid to do anything more enjoyable in her life than play golf because of that very belief. Call it cynical, but it happens. She didn't associate with people not of her religion (and even then, rarely associated), didn't believe in going out and having a good time, didn't wear make-up or jewelry (all of these, BTW, were forced upon her child), no TV, etc. Just work in the garden, read religious books for enjoyment, and pray to the Lord.

It's really a sad affair when you think about how little she's experienced in her life...most of which is some of the more basic things all humans should have (like friends).

[General Trelane (Retired)]

SAB There seem to be verses for and against.

Baring the above, anti-gambling Christians probably oppose it on grounds of Greed, one of the seven deadly sins, and because other vices typically go with it, particularly alcohol and sex.

That really depends on the flavour of Christianity. In my experience, liberal Christians usually oppose gambling because of the social ills associated with excessive gambling.

Austin Cline puts it this way (source):

Most Christian theologians and philosophers have argued that there is nothing inherently wrong with gambling. Instead, the dangers lie in an excess of gambling: when a person is unable to control the urge to gamble and/or gambles to the point that other basic needs go unmet, then the gambling is wrong.

This is basically a sociological rather than a theological position because it criticizes gambling, not based upon scripture, revelation, or religious tradition, but rather because of the sociological effects it produces when pursued farther than it really should be. Thus, these arguments against gambling could be made by anyone - there is nothing especially "Christian" about them.

There is another, much stricter Christian position which is theological in that it is based upon scripture, revelation, and tradition. Specifically, it argues that gambling is always wrong, no matter what the ultimate effects, because it is an attempt to get something for nothing and at the expense of those who must ultimately lose.

[The Spartan]

That really depends on the flavour of Christianity. In my experience, liberal Christians usually oppose gambling because of the social ills associated with excessive gambling.

Well, keep in mind my experience is primarily with Southern Baptists and other Texas Christians, few of whom, in my experience, tend to be what we would call liberal Christians. Consequently, my outlook tends to be colored by that.

[General Trelane (Retired)]

Well, keep in mind my experience is primarily with Southern Baptists and other Texas Christians, few of whom, in my experience, tend to be what we would call liberal Christians. Consequently, my outlook tends to be colored by that.

I suspected something like that might be the case.

Out of curiousity, do Southern Baptists actually refer to the 'seven deadly sins'? I'm asking because I've always thought that was a Catholic doctrine.

[The Spartan]

I suspected something like that might be the case.

Out of curiousity, do Southern Baptists actually refer to the 'seven deadly sins'? I'm asking because I've always thought that was a Catholic doctrine.

Not that I remember hearing. That isn't to say they don't look down upon them. They just don't refer to them as such.

[Sarevok]

In Islam I heard using money to make more money without physical labor is discouraged. So the rules banned gambling. As well as interests on loans. Interestingly there are actually some major islamic banks that operate succesfully. Maybe they use loopholes in wording or take donatios to stay afloat but their key selling point is they don't charge interest or give dividend.

[Lusankya]

I'm quite certain that the bible has absolutely nothing against Church Bingo Night.

I can see why other, more insidious types of gambling might be considered bad, though.

[Kanastrous]

Another angle might be that when gambling, you're calling upon your deity to break things your way, so you win - and the OT conception of God is not about your calling upon God for favors; it's about following the Law and doing your required obeisance in the hope that God will decide to favor you to *his* tune, on *his* terms, at the time and place of *his* choosing...