Family Values

[gksaoh]

Drinking, smoking and gambling are things that may ruin our health, deplete our financial resources and especially disrupt our family life. They may be described as bad habits, imperfections, flaws or vices. Although in moderation they are not sins, they can lead to much unhappiness. They are actions that can become addictive and intemperate.

While it is true that only 10% of those who drink cause serious behavioral problems, it is a social, not an individual, concern. The alcoholic creates suffering for his innocent family and associates. Smoking, too, is not limited to danger to personal heazlth. It affects the well being of all who breath the fumes.

Gambling has increased at an alarming rate since it has become legal in most states. Politicians love it because profits to the government substitute for taxes. The appeal is based on the deadly sin of GREED. It is shameful that many churches use bingo as an easy way to support the parish. Bingo is not a simple form of recreation. When money is not involved, it has little attraction. Some of the players are poor who spend $20 at a session in the vain hope of getting something for nothing. If one could get rich playing games, there would be no poverty. The truth is that the only consistent winners are those running the games.

Let us apply St. Therese’s little way by avoiding small temptations. Then we will also avoid real sin.

 

[manualman]

OK, I’ll bite.

$20 for an evening of entertainment that generally includes a lot of talking and laughter is, IMO, hardly ‘creeping Vegas syndrome.’

You can’t even see a movie with a drink and popcorn for that price anymore. Is that always evil too?

 

[Island_Oak]

Good luck to you in your campaign. If prohibition, taxes, family fights, ill-health, debt, and hang-overs haven’t worked up 'til now, I’m not sure your campaign has any legs. Not to mention, I can’t imagine what a day at Wrigley Field would be like without a frothy cup of beer in my paws!!!

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[Catholic90]

gksaoh:

Drinking, smoking and gambling are things that may ruin our health, deplete our financial resources and especially disrupt our family life. They may be described as bad habits, imperfections, flaws or vices. Although in moderation they are not sins, they can lead to much unhappiness. They are actions that can become addictive and intemperate. They are also actions that provide entertainment, fun, and frivolity (especially drinking and gambling in moderation.) It can be a way of unwinding and relaxing at the end of a hard day or week. And what is watching a baseball or football game without a beer or two?

While it is true that only 10% of those who drink cause serious behavioral problems, it is a social, not an individual, concern. The alcoholic creates suffering for his innocent family and associates. Smoking, too, is not limited to danger to personal heazlth. It affects the well being of all who breath the fumes. True, I don’t like smoking and am thrilled that the smoking ban is in place here in parts of MInnesota.

Gambling has increased at an alarming rate since it has become legal in most states. Politicians love it because profits to the government substitute for taxes. The appeal is based on the deadly sin of GREED. It is shameful that many churches use bingo as an easy way to support the parish. Bingo is not a simple form of recreation. When money is not involved, it has little attraction. Some of the players are poor who spend $20 !! $20 whole dollars??!!?? Pray tell, what other form of entertainment is as cheap?? Or as fun?? Movies? No. Bowling? No. Golfing? Certainly not! Name me something (other than a quiet afternoon at the library, where socializing in generally forbidden, or at a park) where the entertainment is that cheap! at a session in the vain hope of getting something for nothing. If one could get rich playing games, there would be no poverty. The truth is that the only consistent winners are those running the games. And those who meet at the bingo hall for social interaction with their family and friends. They are winners, too.

Let us apply St. Therese’s little way by avoiding small temptations. Then we will also avoid real sin. So, those who avoid drinking, gambling, and smoking won’t sin the “big sins”?? I would disagree. I know several tee-totaling, non-gambling, non-smoking people who have much bigger sins in their lives to concern themselves with!