Edited Title: Is Bingo in a parish immoral?

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donalddon5

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I recently have had troubles rather to approach a particular Catholic Church about there RCIA program. This particular church which is in (Edited) has had signs up advertising BINGO with a jackpot of $$$ for a few years. Now my question is this. Should I go to this church (place of gambleling) in order to be accepted into the Holy Roman Catholic Church or look for another? Is it an insult to God to attend Mass at this place? will I be consider worthy if accepted and will it be valid in God’s eyes? I was going to talk to the Father of that church but seen another couple of bad signs and left without discussing it with him.
It also reminds me of the time that Our Christ wipe out a particular synagoe(misspelled), because his Father house is suppose to be a place of worship. And is the Bishop of that area powerless to do anything about it? Any Advice?
 
Can you cite any scripture that decries gambling?

Can you cite any Church document that decries moderate gambling for fun?

The Bishop is not powerless by any means. I know him well enough.

If, as I have asked above, you cannot offer scripture and church teaching that tells us that this is morally wrong, then my suggestion is to forget about it and focus on the real issues of Christian life. Trust me…Bingo ain’t one of 'em. 🙂
2413 Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement. Unfair wagers and cheating at games constitute grave matter, unless the damage inflicted is so slight that the one who suffers it cannot reasonably consider it significant.
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That’s the only reference to gambling in the Catechism.
 
It IS important to ‘feel comfortable’ in your choice of Church. Pick one that makes you feel at home in the Church Jesus founded. Each Parish will have a slightly different ‘personality’ due to its Pastor and membership, but remember–the rules and customs are the same. That is the real beauty of Catholicism-- we ARE one. Remember, too Bingo is more of a social event, and church fundraiser, than gambling.
 
chefalexander said:
It IS important to ‘feel comfortable’ in your choice of Church. Pick one that makes you feel at home in the Church Jesus founded. Each Parish will have a slightly different ‘personality’ due to its Pastor and membership, but remember–the rules and customs are the same. That is the real beauty of Catholicism-- we ARE one. Remember, too Bingo is more of a social event, and church fundraiser, than gambling.
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It would seem to me that it is gambling. Is not that what gambling is, chance for money? Who said that it is an acceptable form of raising funds? I have never read any church documents that says that. I thought that Christ has said that his house is a house of worship? I do not have verses memorize but I am sure that it does say this. And even if this is only an social event, doesn’t it bring harm to the community at large by telling folks that it is okay to play a game of chance and if so then why is it being sponsor by the church. These are not little signs in a discreet place but big signs right next to a Walmart. If the Catholic Communtiy in the area does not love her church enough to support her without having to resort to games of chance then perhaps like the churches in the book of Revelation, they do not need it. I am not talking about the Overall Catholic Church, I would never want her destroy and it certaintly is not going to happen (hell shall not prevail) but the individual ones that resort to gambleling. If these folks love the Catholic Church then they should support it and it should count as shame to them for not doing so. The chooses of catholic churches are certaintly slim around this area? This is the nearest one and it is 30 miles from me. Can the Bishop force them to quit gambleling?
 
The problem I have seen with Bingo is that the focus tends to be on maximizing the income. To do this one must copy the gambling, liquor and tobacco industries and appeal to the addict.

There was an emphasis on early bird specials, multple cards, larger prizes to draw the inveterate gamblers.

It turned me off rather rapidly.
 
gambling per se is not immoral and not prohibited by Church law, although unfortunately the gaming industry is rife with immorality, but no there is no moral reason why a Church should not have bingo if they comply with state laws.

the bigger problem I would have with joining a parishe who relies on bingo and other fundraisers is that this parish clearly does not foster a stewardship spirituality, relies on outsiders to fund parish work and mission, and does not encourage giving of time talent and treasure by parishioners.
 
puzzleannie said:
gambling per se is not immoral and not prohibited by Church law, although unfortunately the gaming industry is rife with immorality, but no there is no moral reason why a Church should not have bingo if they comply with state laws.

the bigger problem I would have with joining a parishe who relies on bingo and other fundraisers is that this parish clearly does not foster a stewardship spirituality, relies on outsiders to fund parish work and mission, and does not encourage giving of time talent and treasure by parishioners.
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I would think after the scandals that have rock the church in the last several years… and believe me when I openly state my belief, I get reminded of them… one would think that they would avoid any sort of questionable standards. You said there is no moral reason…so does Jesus actions have no moral value? And also does this mean that if there is nothing particularly written against something by the Catholic Authority then we should take that as a “Free For ALL”? Also, the people of the state of Florida would tend to diagree with you. We did not even want the Lottery in our state…before it was force upon us in a scheme to put it in so quick no one had a oppurtunity to oppose it, they use children as a ploy…these churches uses God. Needless to say, if one is observant one could see how desensitive people has become. Should not the Church respect the people whom they suppose to serve spirtitually as well as charitablely. Do you think that when I say to my freinds or family that I want to become Catholic that they do not say to me, all they(catholics) want to do is gamble? Yes, that and other attacks which are far more hurtful(which I am sure from your email, you are intelligent enough to figure out what they are).
I think if the Bishops are not going to do anything about this then Taxes should be implemented because the church has now become a place of businesses and not just a place of Worship. Money given is charity, not the sales of get rich quick schemes.
 
donalddon5 said:
I . You said there is no moral reason…so does Jesus actions have no moral value? .
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please find the passage in the bible where Jesus condemns bingo.

also please post a link to news stories about priests or others convicted of misconduct who conducted their perverted activities at bingo.
 
puzzleannie said:
please find the passage in the bible where Jesus condemns bingo.

also please post a link to news stories about priests or others convicted of misconduct who conducted their perverted activities at bingo.
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NAB version: Matthew 21:12 clearly states, "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there.

As far as posting a link to news stories about priests and others convicted of misconduct who conducted their perverted activities at bingo.
I do not have one and know nothing of any such stories. You said that not me, so you need to supply that link.
 
puzzleannie said:
gambling per se is not immoral and not prohibited by Church law, although unfortunately the gaming industry is rife with immorality, but no there is no moral reason why a Church should not have bingo if they comply with state laws.

the bigger problem I would have with joining a parishe who relies on bingo and other fundraisers is that this parish clearly does not foster a stewardship spirituality, relies on outsiders to fund parish work and mission, and does not encourage giving of time talent and treasure by parishioners.
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Uh-huh. Our parish stopped bingo last year, and then did a strong stewardship campaign last year that increased the weekly giving by 37%. No mor bingo: EVER!
 
donalddon5 said:
NAB version: Matthew 21:12 clearly states, "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there.
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And what has that quote to do with gambling?

When churches have bingo it is not held in the church, but in the social hall or somewhere else.

Gambling is NOT a sin, unless the gambler is spending money needed for something else on gambling. The Church does NOT condemn it and neither did Jesus.
 
There’s nothing wrong with gambling as a form of entertainment.
 
donalddon5 said:
NAB version: Matthew 21:12 clearly states, "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there.
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This does not speak of gambling.

Now, those Evangelical mega-churches with a Starbucks in the lobby might have something to fret about…
 
Several of your Post has stated that the verse I quoted has nothing to do with bingo and gambleling is not immoral. Now I will try to refute some of your claims.

Does anyone agree that the church is a house of worship rather this be inside the temple or inside the social hall or anywhere else on the church property?
Jesus drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there. Do you not buy and sell bingo cards? Please, do not redefine selling and buying with donating money and receiveing a card. That would be a little stretched.
Jesus also said that "it is written; my house shall be a house of prayer but you are making it a den of thieves. Is this not what you are doing by playing on someone habits and taking thier money, being thieves?
 
donalddon5 said:
Several of your Post has stated that the verse I quoted has nothing to do with bingo and gambleling is not immoral. Now I will try to refute some of your claims.

Does anyone agree that the church is a house of worship rather this be inside the temple or inside the social hall or anywhere else on the church property?
Jesus drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there. Do you not buy and sell bingo cards? Please, do not redefine selling and buying with donating money and receiveing a card. That would be a little stretched.
Jesus also said that "it is written; my house shall be a house of prayer but you are making it a den of thieves. Is this not what you are doing by playing on someone habits and taking thier money, being thieves.
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There IS a difference between doing this in the parish hall and doing it in the church. My parish has an active basketball program. Kids jump around in the gym shooting hoops all day. They do NOT do that in church. They used to have the bingo fund raisers in the gym. They did NOT have them in the church.

I think you have a burr under your saddle, and that nothing will convince you that fund raising through bingo is not the equivalent of casting lots for Jesus’ garments. Catholics don’t think of bingo as “gambling” – they think of it as fund raising.
 
donalddon5 said:
This link may help
newadvent.org/cathen/06375b.htm

It is obvious to me that a lot of catholics would disagree with you. Including some of the early church fathers.
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From the article you linked to:

“. . . in ordinary parlance, a person who plays for small stakes to give zest to the game is not said to gamble; gambling connotes playing for high stakes.”
 
You mentioned RCIA - are you maybe converting from a Baptist or similar background? It can be a bit of a culture shock, when there are things that were forbidden before are suddenly right on the Parish grounds.

We do not have Bingo around here, however, when I was in RCIA, the Budweiser tent at the Parish festival was a bit of a :eek:
 
donalddon5 said:
NAB version: Matthew 21:12 clearly states, "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there.

As far as posting a link to news stories about priests and others convicted of misconduct who conducted their perverted activities at bingo.
I do not have one and know nothing of any such stories. You said that not me, so you need to supply that link.
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you are the one who is linking bingo to the scandals in the Church so I am asking for documentation of a direct link

driving the money changers from the temple has nothing whatever in any way shape or form with bingo or any other type of gambling.
 
kage_ar said:
You mentioned RCIA - are you maybe converting from a Baptist or similar background? It can be a bit of a culture shock, when there are things that were forbidden before are suddenly right on the Parish grounds.

We do not have Bingo around here, however, when I was in RCIA, the Budweiser tent at the Parish festival was a bit of a :eek:
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I certaintly would like to be a Catholic, however, I do not feel that a group who promotes gambleling can help me toward taking communion in a worthy sense(albeit no man is worthy). I also would find it embarrasing to attend that church…As far a converting…I certaintly feel that my mind is almost fully converted. In other words, I am at a stalemate.
 
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