Jonathan Last has written a piece about the expansion of gambling in America. As gambling has expanded in America, the attitude toward it has evolved from one of sin to vice to guilty pleasure.
Last writes, Over the past 50 years, gambling has gone from sin to vice to guilty pleasure and has come, finally, to be simply another point of interest on the entertainment map. Today America has 445 commercial casinos and 411 Indian casinos acting as beacons to the lucky. In 1993, 11.6 million Americans visited commercial casinos; in 2004, 54.1 million--26 percent of all gaming-aged adults--hit the tables and slots. In 1993, commercial casinos had $11.2 billion in gross gambling revenue; by 2004 that number had risen to $27 billion. But even this staggering figure--last year Hollywood grossed only $10.2 billion at the box office and $25.95 billion from home video--is just one piece of the gaming pie. Throw in the Indian casinos, state lotteries and horse tracks and you get a gross total of $72.87 billion--before you count Internet gaming.
As gambling has spread, whatever taboos were left about it have fallen away. In a recent survey, 81 percent of Americans said that gambling was an acceptable activity, with 21 percent saying that in the past 10 years gaming has become more acceptable to them.
The extent to which gambling infiltrates nearly every aspect of American culture is hard to fathom--we are so pious and easily scandalized on other culture-war fronts--but easy to measure: Gambling is everywhere. Its sheer ubiquity has made wagering seem banal, a normal part of middle-class life--something that only a prude would object to. But is it really? Isn't there more at stake in the loss of this taboo than the pleasure of risking a little money on chance? Taken in all its forms, the American betting habit looks like a mild form of social pathology. It is certainly one of those nodal points in culture where commerce has trumped settled custom--and maybe even conscience.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
From Indonesia to Iran
Three Christian girls were beheaded and a fourth was seriously wounded in Indonesia. The girls were on their way to class when the attack occurred. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim nation, and has a history of conflict between Musilms and Christians. Brutul, just brutal.
In New Delhi, coordinated explosions ripped through markets killilng 49. The attacks were probably terrorist related, and probably came from Pakistan--a country India has a strained relationship with.
Finally, probably most have heard about Iran's new hard-line, ultra-conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comment that Israel should be wiped off the map. This kind of rhetoric is not new from the Muslim theocracy. Ayatollah Khomeni repeated the mantra almost on a weekly basis at his Friday sermons when he was in power during the 80s. What is most encouraging from this whole episode is the swift and decisive condemnation from the world community, including some Islamic nations. Ahmadinejad, however refuses to retract his statement, saying the criticism "did not have any validity" and his remarks were "just." Yesterday, tens of thousands of protestors marched in the street shouting "death to Israel" and death to the Zionists. Meanwhile, Iran continues to enhance its nuclear capabilities. Tick-tock, tick-tock....
In New Delhi, coordinated explosions ripped through markets killilng 49. The attacks were probably terrorist related, and probably came from Pakistan--a country India has a strained relationship with.
Finally, probably most have heard about Iran's new hard-line, ultra-conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comment that Israel should be wiped off the map. This kind of rhetoric is not new from the Muslim theocracy. Ayatollah Khomeni repeated the mantra almost on a weekly basis at his Friday sermons when he was in power during the 80s. What is most encouraging from this whole episode is the swift and decisive condemnation from the world community, including some Islamic nations. Ahmadinejad, however refuses to retract his statement, saying the criticism "did not have any validity" and his remarks were "just." Yesterday, tens of thousands of protestors marched in the street shouting "death to Israel" and death to the Zionists. Meanwhile, Iran continues to enhance its nuclear capabilities. Tick-tock, tick-tock....
Thursday, October 27, 2005
$10 Billion???
So Exxon posted $10 billion third-quarter profits. Wow, that's some serious oil sellin'. But Exxon is not the only oil company raking it in. BP, ConocoPhillips, Marathon, and Chevron all posted "eye-popping" gains. So, can the gas prices come down now?
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Errr...Not Exactly
The Heritage Foundation (a very solid, conservative think-tank), makes this claim about American family farms:
Most Americans do not mind paying taxes to help those who are in need, and farm subsidies are typically defended as being necessary to help struggling family farmers. But while many farmers were poor when farm policy was created in the 1930s, farmers today are much wealthier. Today, the average farm reports a net worth of nearly $564,000 (double that of the average household) and an annual income of $64,347 (17 percent above the national average) despite the fact that the cost of living in rural areas is 10 percent to 40 percent lower than the national average. By no means a teetering industry, the failure rate for farms is just one-sixth the rate for non-farm businesses. (read the full report here)
I've gotta tell ya, I disagree with Heritage's interpretation of statistics. I come from a rural, farming community, and most family farmers are not wealthy. Many are doing okay, some are extremely poor and debt-ridden, and a few are wealthy. To explain the networth (a suspect figure considering farms vary widely in size and crop produced) I would say that much of that can be attributed to equipment which is very expensive. But, it's not as if farmers have the cash on hand to pay for this equipment. Instead they must take out loans and borrow against their homes and land. Plus, that net worth may also take into account land, and many farmers farm between 1,000 and 2,000 acres of land (you've got to to make any kind of living). Heritage claims this is double the average household, and I respond with a very caustic, "Ya Think!?" I guess one has to know a little bit about farming to not be surprised that a farmer's net worth would be almost double that of the average household.
The Heritage Foundation, rightly points out in other parts of their analysis that corporate farms receive most the farm subsidies. However, it seems when talking about this "thriving industry", they don't take into account the fact that corporate farms could inflate the financial statistics.
I'm a conservative who is in favor of farm subsidies--so long as they go to the family farmers and not the corporate farms. Family farmers are the life blood of rural communities and rural communities are the life blood of America. If family farms falter, we all do. The products produced by America's farmers are the safest, tastiest, and most plentiful in the world. And despite what eco-liberals say, they care for and love the land. Support the family farmer, support subsidies.
And there is a great Frontline documentary done on a farm family in Nebraska titled The Farmer's Wife. It chronicles the challenges faced by family farmers, and is probably the best documentary I have ever watched.
Most Americans do not mind paying taxes to help those who are in need, and farm subsidies are typically defended as being necessary to help struggling family farmers. But while many farmers were poor when farm policy was created in the 1930s, farmers today are much wealthier. Today, the average farm reports a net worth of nearly $564,000 (double that of the average household) and an annual income of $64,347 (17 percent above the national average) despite the fact that the cost of living in rural areas is 10 percent to 40 percent lower than the national average. By no means a teetering industry, the failure rate for farms is just one-sixth the rate for non-farm businesses. (read the full report here)
I've gotta tell ya, I disagree with Heritage's interpretation of statistics. I come from a rural, farming community, and most family farmers are not wealthy. Many are doing okay, some are extremely poor and debt-ridden, and a few are wealthy. To explain the networth (a suspect figure considering farms vary widely in size and crop produced) I would say that much of that can be attributed to equipment which is very expensive. But, it's not as if farmers have the cash on hand to pay for this equipment. Instead they must take out loans and borrow against their homes and land. Plus, that net worth may also take into account land, and many farmers farm between 1,000 and 2,000 acres of land (you've got to to make any kind of living). Heritage claims this is double the average household, and I respond with a very caustic, "Ya Think!?" I guess one has to know a little bit about farming to not be surprised that a farmer's net worth would be almost double that of the average household.
The Heritage Foundation, rightly points out in other parts of their analysis that corporate farms receive most the farm subsidies. However, it seems when talking about this "thriving industry", they don't take into account the fact that corporate farms could inflate the financial statistics.
I'm a conservative who is in favor of farm subsidies--so long as they go to the family farmers and not the corporate farms. Family farmers are the life blood of rural communities and rural communities are the life blood of America. If family farms falter, we all do. The products produced by America's farmers are the safest, tastiest, and most plentiful in the world. And despite what eco-liberals say, they care for and love the land. Support the family farmer, support subsidies.
And there is a great Frontline documentary done on a farm family in Nebraska titled The Farmer's Wife. It chronicles the challenges faced by family farmers, and is probably the best documentary I have ever watched.
Berkeley: Bation of Freedom, Beacon of Light
Here are some gems from a conference on spiritual activism held at Berekely this past summer. I should also mention that these snippets deal with conservative and liberal Christianity. I think you can make the distinctions.
Defrocked Catholic priest Matthew Fox, now an Episcopalian, blamed war and economic injustice on "those who want to worship a dominating punitive Father God which includes the put down of women, nature, [and] gays." In soothing contrast, Fox offered a unisex, pantheistic "mother/father God who is embedded in nature, creativity, our bodies and all our art forms." Fox lambasted the Pope for defeating liberation theology and faulted Protestants for succumbing to a "kooky Christianity" of "domination and not of justice."
--Ummm....rrrrrriiight.......
Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong lashed out at this "domination" religion. "It's time to name evil as evil when sounded in pious accents of biblical religion," Spong declared. Conservative Catholicism and "evangelical fundamentalists" are growing because "hysterical people are seeking security," Spong fretted. Referring to the rise of religious conservatives based in the South, Spong claimed, to the audience's delight, "The old [segregationist] George Wallace vote simply applied perfume and call themselves the Religious Right."
--Spong also claims Paul was gay and Jesus was married...
Almost all vitriol was aimed rightward. Berkeley linguist George Lakoff, a frequent advisor to religion-perplexed Democrats, explained that the left worships a "nurturing" God, while the right adores a "punitive" deity. Conservatives believe in a "strict" God who requires good behavior for getting into heaven, according to Lakoff, while progressives emphasize "unconditional love." United Methodist lobbyist Jim Winkler was less analytical: "Angry white men [which describes almost all religious conservatives] are like a wounded bear striking out in desperation," he observed.
--Really!?!? I had NO idea that I believed I have to do good works to get to heaven! Man, I'm glad this linguist was able to point that out to me. I'm also glad he pointed out that I don't worship a nurturing God. Boy howdy, I sure did learn a lot from this guy. But the "angry white men" bit has got to go. In reality were gettin' just a little bit TO'd right now, NOT angry.
But in all seriousness, these folks need to come out of their ivory towers or cramped studies and examine the true make-up of conservative Christians. Their stereotypes are AWFUL! But, you know how liberals use the Bible....
To read more ludicrousness, go here.
Defrocked Catholic priest Matthew Fox, now an Episcopalian, blamed war and economic injustice on "those who want to worship a dominating punitive Father God which includes the put down of women, nature, [and] gays." In soothing contrast, Fox offered a unisex, pantheistic "mother/father God who is embedded in nature, creativity, our bodies and all our art forms." Fox lambasted the Pope for defeating liberation theology and faulted Protestants for succumbing to a "kooky Christianity" of "domination and not of justice."
--Ummm....rrrrrriiight.......
Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong lashed out at this "domination" religion. "It's time to name evil as evil when sounded in pious accents of biblical religion," Spong declared. Conservative Catholicism and "evangelical fundamentalists" are growing because "hysterical people are seeking security," Spong fretted. Referring to the rise of religious conservatives based in the South, Spong claimed, to the audience's delight, "The old [segregationist] George Wallace vote simply applied perfume and call themselves the Religious Right."
--Spong also claims Paul was gay and Jesus was married...
Almost all vitriol was aimed rightward. Berkeley linguist George Lakoff, a frequent advisor to religion-perplexed Democrats, explained that the left worships a "nurturing" God, while the right adores a "punitive" deity. Conservatives believe in a "strict" God who requires good behavior for getting into heaven, according to Lakoff, while progressives emphasize "unconditional love." United Methodist lobbyist Jim Winkler was less analytical: "Angry white men [which describes almost all religious conservatives] are like a wounded bear striking out in desperation," he observed.
--Really!?!? I had NO idea that I believed I have to do good works to get to heaven! Man, I'm glad this linguist was able to point that out to me. I'm also glad he pointed out that I don't worship a nurturing God. Boy howdy, I sure did learn a lot from this guy. But the "angry white men" bit has got to go. In reality were gettin' just a little bit TO'd right now, NOT angry.
But in all seriousness, these folks need to come out of their ivory towers or cramped studies and examine the true make-up of conservative Christians. Their stereotypes are AWFUL! But, you know how liberals use the Bible....
To read more ludicrousness, go here.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Bye, Bye Old Europe?
A few years ago, while trying to drum up support for the war in Iraq, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld negatively referred to France and Germany (who opposed going to war) as Old Europe and places like Lithuania and Poland as New Europe (in a positive sense). This changing of Pentagon policy was further reflected in Rumsfeld's latest overseas tour where he did not visit France or Germany, and instead focused on talks with the newest members of NATO. Rummy also visited South Korea, where he encouraged the South Koreans to end their dependence on US military protection. The other two stops were in China and Mongolia. China certainly has long-term interests that are not necessarily favorable toward the US, but it was encouraging that Rumsfeld and top aides were able to tour the Second Artillery, where China's nuclear missiles are held (they were the first foreigners to do so). Mongolia, home of the famed Genghis Khan, will be visited by Bush in a few weeks, and will mark the first time a US president has visited the country. Mongolia has shown favor to the war on terror.
All of this to say that strategy is shifting. No longer are the traditional Cold-War allies and defense plans going to work. Through the leadership of Rumsfeld, Washington is shifting its strategy to one that reflects the challenges of modern national-security. Hello Asia! Hello Middle East! Good-bye Europe (sort of...).
All of this to say that strategy is shifting. No longer are the traditional Cold-War allies and defense plans going to work. Through the leadership of Rumsfeld, Washington is shifting its strategy to one that reflects the challenges of modern national-security. Hello Asia! Hello Middle East! Good-bye Europe (sort of...).
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Supporting Christians
Tommy Nelson, pastor of Denton Bible Church, has preached an excellent series on church history. In it he mentions that the early Christians stuck together. Instead of going to a pagan repair man, for instance, they would patronize the Christian business. In short, Christians supported Christians. This got me to thinking about politics, and specifically Harriet Miers. When I found out she was a Christian I was excited to support her, after all, there aren't many Christians on the Supreme Court, and we've got to support our own. Upon further reflection, I became concerned with her lack of experience, and am still wondering whether she was a good choice.
I wonder now, should we as Christians support Christians simply because they are Christian (and of course, I'm talking about good, Bible-believing conservative Christians), and therefore throw our support behind Miers? Or, should we be more concerned with having jurists (or politicians or whatever) who have all of the secular qualifications, and therefore support those judges who may not be Christian, but are definitely ideologically conservative?
I wonder now, should we as Christians support Christians simply because they are Christian (and of course, I'm talking about good, Bible-believing conservative Christians), and therefore throw our support behind Miers? Or, should we be more concerned with having jurists (or politicians or whatever) who have all of the secular qualifications, and therefore support those judges who may not be Christian, but are definitely ideologically conservative?
This Is Strange
Anne Rice...never read her stuff, but apparently she's very popular author, writing about the occult. Turns out she has decided to go back to the Catholic Church she left at age 18 and is now "writing for the Lord." Her new novel is about a seven year-old Jesus. Go figure...
Friday, October 21, 2005
Things That Make You Go Hmm...
The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs has been involved in a brouhaha recently over Christians who actively evangelize other cadets. A former cadet, Micky Weinstein, filed a lawsuit against the Academy alledging the Air Force forces Christianity upon others and favors evangelical Christianity over other religions. Weinstein, a Jew, is demanding that "No member of the USAF, including a chaplain, is permitted to evangelize, proselytize, or in any way attempt to involuntarily convert, pressure, exert, or persuade a fellow member of the USAF to accept their own religious beliefs while on duty [and that the Air Force] is not permitted to establish or advance any one religion over another religion, nor one religion over no religion." Hmmmn....so Weinstein doesn't want non-Christians to have their religion infringed upon, so he's wants to infringe/criminalize another religion? I don't think I can accept that, and thankfully the Air Force isn't either. While the Air Force should not favor Christianity over other religions, there is no reason that believers of any religion ought to be told they can't practice their faith. Another example of the lunacy of secularism.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Some Odds and Ends
A bill in the US House would create a Louisiana Recovery Corporation. That gives me an uneasy feeling. Maybe it'll be a good thing, but I can see where there would be many problems in creating more government to help the Gulf Coast recover.
I've found a great new website that has a round-up of poliltical stories, and it's maintained by C-Span. It's www.capitalnews.org.
I may be changing my tune on Supreme Court nominee Miers. I think I'll wait to give my support (which carries SO much weight, lol) until after the hearings (a novel thought).
And there is a whole passel of Republicans lining up all over the place to run for several open seats in Oklahoma. So, it's going to be an interesting election season here in the Sooner State.
I've found a great new website that has a round-up of poliltical stories, and it's maintained by C-Span. It's www.capitalnews.org.
I may be changing my tune on Supreme Court nominee Miers. I think I'll wait to give my support (which carries SO much weight, lol) until after the hearings (a novel thought).
And there is a whole passel of Republicans lining up all over the place to run for several open seats in Oklahoma. So, it's going to be an interesting election season here in the Sooner State.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
79,000 Perish
Not to be too depressing, but the death toll of the earthquake that struck Pakistan last week has risen to 79,000. It's is unfathomable to think of that many deaths. Here are some quick facts on Pakistan:
Population: 162,419,946
Birth Rate: 30.42 births/1,000 population
Death Rate: 8.45 deaths/1,000 population
Religion: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%
The eternal consequences of this event are beyond comprehension...
Worth a look: Views from the Southern Baptist's International Mission Board personnel.
-----
Overheard on the FX show Over There:
Soldier 1: "I'm Iraqi."
Soldier 2: "What? I thought you were Persian or something."
Soldier 1: "Persians speak Farsi, I speak Arabic."
Soldier 2: "I didn't know that."
Soldier 1: "Why should you? We're only fighting a war over here."
Yes, why should you..........
Monday, October 17, 2005
A Life Passion?
What's your life passion? Is there one all-consuming mission that everything you do in life falls under? Should you have one? If so, what should it be? Do you live everyday--every hour--in accordance with this objective?
Such a concept had really never crossed my mind until my roommate the last two years of school showed me the importance of developing this mission and sticking with it (brother, thank you!). He showed me that God calls us to number our days and live in such a manner that we don’t just idly coast through life. Instead, we must consciously decide what we will live for and evaluate on a regular basis if we are truly living in light of this objective. Do I always live and make decisions that are in accordance with my objective of knowing, loving, and glorifying God and in dependence upon Him, developing multiplying disciples to reach the nations? No. But oh how great it is to know for what I'm living each day and for Whom. Now that I'm out of school, I really see how vital this objective is. There is so much stuff out there competing for my time, money, energy, and love. It is really easy to give up on trying to live the radical, God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated life and instead live the Christian, American dream (not that I think the American dream in and of itself is bad). Each day I find myself having to fight (often times losing) to live my objective. Should I--should we--fight for this?
John Piper presents an argument in his book Don't Waste Your Life (see the right sidebar) that God does want us to live our lives with an objective. All of our boasting should be in the cross of Jesus Christ: "Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal 6:14). Okay, we've got the boasting part taken care of (a vital part of our lives). So no more boasting in work or school or football or intelligence or traditions or politics (an especially tough one for me)—only in the Cross. The pursuit of wealth, status, fast cars, comfortable neighborhoods, or political victories (gosh, I keep getting hit) don't matter. One thing does: "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8). And now we've taken care of what matters in life: knowing Christ.
If knowing Christ and boasting only in the cross is what matters, shouldn’t we be sure to live in such a way that this is truly fleshed out in our lives? If we are serious about this, our goal ought to be only to live this way. If that is what truly matters and we don’t live that way, then we’ve wasted our life. We'll be like the 59 and 51 year old couple that Piper introduces to us. They took early retirement, and live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells...."Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.'"
As Piper succinctly states, "God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. The wasted life is the life without this passion. God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan and work not to be made much of, but to make much of HIM in every part of our lives."
Oh God! Help me to not waste my life!
"Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don't coast through life without a passion" (Piper, p 46).
Such a concept had really never crossed my mind until my roommate the last two years of school showed me the importance of developing this mission and sticking with it (brother, thank you!). He showed me that God calls us to number our days and live in such a manner that we don’t just idly coast through life. Instead, we must consciously decide what we will live for and evaluate on a regular basis if we are truly living in light of this objective. Do I always live and make decisions that are in accordance with my objective of knowing, loving, and glorifying God and in dependence upon Him, developing multiplying disciples to reach the nations? No. But oh how great it is to know for what I'm living each day and for Whom. Now that I'm out of school, I really see how vital this objective is. There is so much stuff out there competing for my time, money, energy, and love. It is really easy to give up on trying to live the radical, God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated life and instead live the Christian, American dream (not that I think the American dream in and of itself is bad). Each day I find myself having to fight (often times losing) to live my objective. Should I--should we--fight for this?
John Piper presents an argument in his book Don't Waste Your Life (see the right sidebar) that God does want us to live our lives with an objective. All of our boasting should be in the cross of Jesus Christ: "Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal 6:14). Okay, we've got the boasting part taken care of (a vital part of our lives). So no more boasting in work or school or football or intelligence or traditions or politics (an especially tough one for me)—only in the Cross. The pursuit of wealth, status, fast cars, comfortable neighborhoods, or political victories (gosh, I keep getting hit) don't matter. One thing does: "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8). And now we've taken care of what matters in life: knowing Christ.
If knowing Christ and boasting only in the cross is what matters, shouldn’t we be sure to live in such a way that this is truly fleshed out in our lives? If we are serious about this, our goal ought to be only to live this way. If that is what truly matters and we don’t live that way, then we’ve wasted our life. We'll be like the 59 and 51 year old couple that Piper introduces to us. They took early retirement, and live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells...."Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.'"
As Piper succinctly states, "God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. The wasted life is the life without this passion. God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan and work not to be made much of, but to make much of HIM in every part of our lives."
Oh God! Help me to not waste my life!
"Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don't coast through life without a passion" (Piper, p 46).
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
There is a very sweet, kind 89 year old widow who lives in the apartment next to me. She lost her sister last year, and moved to Oklahoma from Phoenix last November to be near her son and daughter-in-law. Having other people visit her and talk with her so blesses her, not to mention the blessing she confers upon those visitors. So, when I read this story about widows in India, I was especially touched.
Most widows in India have their own shed-like room -- about four feet tall and only big enough to fit a woven cot. There they sit all day. Barely talking. Almost motionless. By withdrawing from everyday life and luxuries, these women are living a form of suttee, the now-outlawed practice of burning widows alive, chained to the dead husband's funeral pyre.
Jehovah God has such a different persepctive than that offered by Hinduism:
Psalm 68:5 tells us God is "a defender of the widows..."
Deuteronomy 10:18 "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow..."
Isaiah 1:17 instructs to "plead the case of the widow."
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."
Most widows in India have their own shed-like room -- about four feet tall and only big enough to fit a woven cot. There they sit all day. Barely talking. Almost motionless. By withdrawing from everyday life and luxuries, these women are living a form of suttee, the now-outlawed practice of burning widows alive, chained to the dead husband's funeral pyre.
Jehovah God has such a different persepctive than that offered by Hinduism:
Psalm 68:5 tells us God is "a defender of the widows..."
Deuteronomy 10:18 "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow..."
Isaiah 1:17 instructs to "plead the case of the widow."
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
The Cost On Society
There are also many financial and social costs that come with the lottery. To begin with, lottery revenue is not a sound source of funding for the state. Studies have shown that lottery ticket sales drop in states after a brief honeymoon period in which sales are high. Consequently, the programs that expect to receive this revenue, end up having to cut their budgets. Proponents of the lottery often cite the case of Georgia's HOPE scholarship to support how lotteries can be beneficial. HOPE scholarships were created to be financed through the Georgia lottery to provide free tuition to Georgia students. However, a study conducted by William Anderson and reported by the Oklahoma Council for Public Affairs, found that Georgia lottery earnings peaked many years ago. Because Georgia made a commitment to fund these scholarships, they must now dip into the general revenue fund to add more money for the scholarships. This takes away from other programs and agencies that are funded by taxpayers. It would seem that from the experiences of Georgia and many other states, while the lottery may provide additional money to begin with, people will soon tire of playing, placing certain programs in dire funding straits.
Lotteries are also dangerous to society. Numerous studies have shown that lotteries target those who can least afford to play. A study published in the scholarly journal Public Fiance Review showed that the Texas lottery targets those who are poor. Even more startling is that this study found that minorities are targeted by the lottery. African-Americas and Hispanics play the lottery more frequently and heavily than other groups. The lottery now makes Oklahoma government a predatory government. So much for government helping people. The Bible exhorts us to care for the poor and needy (Proverbs 14:21, 14:31, 22:16). Supporting an industry that so clearly targets the poor goes against Scripture, and is just plain wrong.
Gambling is also addictive. Researchers studied the lottery in the United Kingdom and found that when average spending on gambling was doubled by the introduction of a national lottery, there was a four-fold increase in the proportion of households where gambling expenditure was excessive. The researchers also noted that in North America, pathological gambling has risen with the increase in state lotteries. Pathological and problem gamblers are more likely to be on welfare, declare bankruptcy, or be arrested. The Gambling Impact and Behavior Study estimates that gamblers cost the United States $5 billion per year in various programs and creditor losses. This does not take into account the familial costs when divorces or other family disruptions occur because of the strain addiction places on the family. This should be a stark warning to all Oklahomans when they think of supporting the lottery.
Oklahomans and Christians should consider the information above when formulating their opinion of the lottery. The violation of biblical principles is something that all Christians must seriously contemplate. Furthermore, Christians and non-Christians alike should be concerned with the financial strain, and social costs that the lottery will bring to the state. We should put what is best for all Oklahomans ahead of our own entertainment and potential financial reward.
Lotteries are also dangerous to society. Numerous studies have shown that lotteries target those who can least afford to play. A study published in the scholarly journal Public Fiance Review showed that the Texas lottery targets those who are poor. Even more startling is that this study found that minorities are targeted by the lottery. African-Americas and Hispanics play the lottery more frequently and heavily than other groups. The lottery now makes Oklahoma government a predatory government. So much for government helping people. The Bible exhorts us to care for the poor and needy (Proverbs 14:21, 14:31, 22:16). Supporting an industry that so clearly targets the poor goes against Scripture, and is just plain wrong.
Gambling is also addictive. Researchers studied the lottery in the United Kingdom and found that when average spending on gambling was doubled by the introduction of a national lottery, there was a four-fold increase in the proportion of households where gambling expenditure was excessive. The researchers also noted that in North America, pathological gambling has risen with the increase in state lotteries. Pathological and problem gamblers are more likely to be on welfare, declare bankruptcy, or be arrested. The Gambling Impact and Behavior Study estimates that gamblers cost the United States $5 billion per year in various programs and creditor losses. This does not take into account the familial costs when divorces or other family disruptions occur because of the strain addiction places on the family. This should be a stark warning to all Oklahomans when they think of supporting the lottery.
Oklahomans and Christians should consider the information above when formulating their opinion of the lottery. The violation of biblical principles is something that all Christians must seriously contemplate. Furthermore, Christians and non-Christians alike should be concerned with the financial strain, and social costs that the lottery will bring to the state. We should put what is best for all Oklahomans ahead of our own entertainment and potential financial reward.
The Lottery: Helping Education???
Here's a textbook example from OCPA of why gambling should not be legal in any state.
"Gov. Brad Henry presented the first ticket to Oklahoma's new lottery to the state's teacher of the year. Apparently he thought this was a better idea than presenting it to the elementary school principal in Tecumseh who resigned after pleading no contest to a charge she stole $27,378 in student-earned money from a school activity fund. The district attorney said the money was used to support the principal�s gambling habit."
"Gov. Brad Henry presented the first ticket to Oklahoma's new lottery to the state's teacher of the year. Apparently he thought this was a better idea than presenting it to the elementary school principal in Tecumseh who resigned after pleading no contest to a charge she stole $27,378 in student-earned money from a school activity fund. The district attorney said the money was used to support the principal�s gambling habit."
Monday, October 10, 2005
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
Listened to a terrific John Piper sermon, Put on the Lord Jesus Christ(part 2). I highly recommend it!
It's Coming...
Oklahomans will soon be able to play the lottery. Oct 12 is opening day of Oklahoma government joining 39 other states in preying on its citizens. In honor of this day, I'll have a few posts on the lottery, beginning with why the Christian should not support the lottery.
Christians should oppose gambling (read: lottery) because it goes against many biblical principles. Lotteries are gounded on greed and the get rich quick idea. However, the Bible instructs against this. A stark warning is given in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plung men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Jesus instructs against greed in Luke 12:15 and Proverbs 15:27 tells what will happen to greedy people. God clearly shows us that greed is dangerous to the Christian life. Because those who play the lottery are motivated by greed, and greed is sinful, we as Christians should not support the Oklahoma lottery.
Secondly, lottery prizes come from the money of others. Since those who play the lottery want to win the prize, they are coveting what someone else has. The 10th Commandment (Exodus 20:17) forbids covetousness.
Thirdly, Jesus tells us that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). However, in order for one to win lottery prizes, many others must lose their possesions. When we wish pain, suffering, and loss on others, we are violating this command.
Fourthly, Christians are to be responsible with how they use their money. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells the parable of the talents. This parable tells us that we are to be wise in how we invest our God-given (and God-owned) possesions. Often times, the money that is spent buying lottery tickets is money that should have been used to buy essential items for the family. Also, one has a better chance of being struck by lightning (1 in 2 million) than winning the lottery (1 in 54 million). Thus, a person who buys a lotto ticket is almost certainly going to lose the money God entrusted to them. 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that we will give an account to God of all that we did, so we should make wise decisions with our finances.
Finally, gambling, which is what the lottery is, denigrates the work eithc. It implies that one can get something for nothing. In fact, an advertisement in Massachusetts has the slogan "work is nothing but heart attack inducing drudgery. Play the lottery!" Yet that is not how God views work. Proverbs 12:11 states "He who works his land will have abundant food, but he wwho chases fantasies lacks judgement" and Proverbs 28:19 "he who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty." These are just two verses where God explicitly warns against chasing fantasies and instead tells us of the great rewards of a strong work ethic.
Coming tomorrow, why EVERYONE (Christian and non-Christian) should oppose the lottery.
Christians should oppose gambling (read: lottery) because it goes against many biblical principles. Lotteries are gounded on greed and the get rich quick idea. However, the Bible instructs against this. A stark warning is given in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plung men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Jesus instructs against greed in Luke 12:15 and Proverbs 15:27 tells what will happen to greedy people. God clearly shows us that greed is dangerous to the Christian life. Because those who play the lottery are motivated by greed, and greed is sinful, we as Christians should not support the Oklahoma lottery.
Secondly, lottery prizes come from the money of others. Since those who play the lottery want to win the prize, they are coveting what someone else has. The 10th Commandment (Exodus 20:17) forbids covetousness.
Thirdly, Jesus tells us that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). However, in order for one to win lottery prizes, many others must lose their possesions. When we wish pain, suffering, and loss on others, we are violating this command.
Fourthly, Christians are to be responsible with how they use their money. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells the parable of the talents. This parable tells us that we are to be wise in how we invest our God-given (and God-owned) possesions. Often times, the money that is spent buying lottery tickets is money that should have been used to buy essential items for the family. Also, one has a better chance of being struck by lightning (1 in 2 million) than winning the lottery (1 in 54 million). Thus, a person who buys a lotto ticket is almost certainly going to lose the money God entrusted to them. 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that we will give an account to God of all that we did, so we should make wise decisions with our finances.
Finally, gambling, which is what the lottery is, denigrates the work eithc. It implies that one can get something for nothing. In fact, an advertisement in Massachusetts has the slogan "work is nothing but heart attack inducing drudgery. Play the lottery!" Yet that is not how God views work. Proverbs 12:11 states "He who works his land will have abundant food, but he wwho chases fantasies lacks judgement" and Proverbs 28:19 "he who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty." These are just two verses where God explicitly warns against chasing fantasies and instead tells us of the great rewards of a strong work ethic.
Coming tomorrow, why EVERYONE (Christian and non-Christian) should oppose the lottery.
Friday, October 07, 2005
UPDATED: Dartmouth and Jesus
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Some Interesting Links
Here are some select links that I found interesting:
Pres. Bush states that God told him to attack Afghanistan and Iraq and is telling him to work to establish a Palestinian state.--this is worth a quick look.
Al Gore asserts that American democracy is in grave danger. Gore raises an interesting question: has the decline in public discourse over important issues signaled a decline in American democracy? Or is this decline good for America? Or is there no decline in public discourse, and this is the way it's always been? Interesting...
Piggy-backed on with the whole thing on public discourse, did you know there is a thing called a Federal Register? The Federal Register publishes rules changes to government policy. If you visit regulations.gov you can take part in the rule making process. Yes that's right, you can actually take part in managing the bureaucracy. So many people complain about it, but very few actually know there is something they can do about. Every federal agency must publish proposed changes to rules. There is then a comment period in which citizens can comment on these proposed changes. In theory, these comments can help shape policy (how often they do, I don't know). Of course, one must first wade through the dense federal legalese. But, if you are ever having problems sleeping, then take a look at this site! And just to get you started, here's a proposal from the Social Security Administration.
Meet The Fundies! From the Texas Observer
So maybe we crazy fundies know a thing or two: Babies Do Better With Mom
Black students more religious than those of other races--very interesting in so many ways...
And one of the chief persecutors of religions (except Islam), Saudi Arabia, has been given six more months to improve upon its record on persecution. How inexcusable their actions, but what are we left to do? We need their oil.
I'll guess I'll call it quits with that.
Pres. Bush states that God told him to attack Afghanistan and Iraq and is telling him to work to establish a Palestinian state.--this is worth a quick look.
Al Gore asserts that American democracy is in grave danger. Gore raises an interesting question: has the decline in public discourse over important issues signaled a decline in American democracy? Or is this decline good for America? Or is there no decline in public discourse, and this is the way it's always been? Interesting...
Piggy-backed on with the whole thing on public discourse, did you know there is a thing called a Federal Register? The Federal Register publishes rules changes to government policy. If you visit regulations.gov you can take part in the rule making process. Yes that's right, you can actually take part in managing the bureaucracy. So many people complain about it, but very few actually know there is something they can do about. Every federal agency must publish proposed changes to rules. There is then a comment period in which citizens can comment on these proposed changes. In theory, these comments can help shape policy (how often they do, I don't know). Of course, one must first wade through the dense federal legalese. But, if you are ever having problems sleeping, then take a look at this site! And just to get you started, here's a proposal from the Social Security Administration.
Meet The Fundies! From the Texas Observer
So maybe we crazy fundies know a thing or two: Babies Do Better With Mom
Black students more religious than those of other races--very interesting in so many ways...
And one of the chief persecutors of religions (except Islam), Saudi Arabia, has been given six more months to improve upon its record on persecution. How inexcusable their actions, but what are we left to do? We need their oil.
I'll guess I'll call it quits with that.
Help Your Country!
The current public debt is $4,599,795,468,342.59. Yeah, that's right 4 t-t-t-trillion. According to the Bureau of Public Debt, we citizens can help pay off that debt, and I don't mean with our tax dollars (let's face it, our tax dollars aren't going to pay off that debt either, but rather to pork barrel projects, but anyway). Here's the official wording from the Bureau:
Perhaps you'd like to help reduce the $4.6 public debt. If so, here are instructions:
Please follow these important steps to make a contribution to reduce the debt.
1. Make check payable to the Bureau of the Public Debt.
2. In the memo section of the check, notate Gift to reduce Debt Held bythe Public.
3. Mail check to -ATTN DEPT G BUREAU OF THE PUBLIC DEBT PO BOX 2188 PARKERSBURG, WV 26106-2188
So, there you have it. After you've paid your taxes and tithed you can help with that debt. Just think, if everyone gave just one dollar......we'd still have astronomical debt. Oh for fiscal conservatism........
Perhaps you'd like to help reduce the $4.6 public debt. If so, here are instructions:
Please follow these important steps to make a contribution to reduce the debt.
1. Make check payable to the Bureau of the Public Debt.
2. In the memo section of the check, notate Gift to reduce Debt Held bythe Public.
3. Mail check to -ATTN DEPT G BUREAU OF THE PUBLIC DEBT PO BOX 2188 PARKERSBURG, WV 26106-2188
So, there you have it. After you've paid your taxes and tithed you can help with that debt. Just think, if everyone gave just one dollar......we'd still have astronomical debt. Oh for fiscal conservatism........
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Oh The Tangled Web We Weave
I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but if ever there was a story ripe for conspiracy the suicide of Joel Hinrichs is one. Just a few hours after the bombing the theories were flowing freely on the Internet. As of today, I have completely dismissed them. I continue to believe that this was suicide by bombing. However, new details have emerged that cause me to raise at least a few eyebrows. First, as reported by NEWS9, Hinrichs visited a Norman feed store to buy ammonium nitrate (yes, the stuff used to make the Murrah bomb). Apparently there was a plain clothes police officer in the store who overheard the entire conversation (how convenient that he just happened to be in the same store as Hinrichs). 2. Many more explosives and explosive making material was found in his apartment. 3. He roomed with a Pakistani roommate and had reportedly began attending the mosque in Norman (and I’m not saying all Muslims are evil terrorists, they aren’t). 4. An airline ticket to Algeria was found in his apartment. 5. President Boren stated that, to his knowledge, Hinrichs never tried to enter the stadium (of course this could never be known…out of 84,000 people, do you think a ticket attendant would remember one face?).
But, alas, I’m not buying into this conspiracy just yet. In fact, I’m fairly convinced that this was nothing more than a suicide—a reminder that there is a hurting world out there (Philip’s post was particularly convicting). But, if “sources” are to be believed, there’s something more. Time will tell.
Links of interest:
OU Poli-Sci Prof Keith Gaddie has a few observations on this bombing
Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin has a good round-up of other bloggers
NEWSOK video section has a few interesting stories, but the videos are only up for a day or two
KFOR has some good updates (but I can’t link individually…scroll down to the bottom)
ChannelOklahoma.com has this story.
And just to reiterate, while I don’t believe the conspiracy theories, there is evidence that should be looked. I have every reason to trust the FBI’s investigation.
But, alas, I’m not buying into this conspiracy just yet. In fact, I’m fairly convinced that this was nothing more than a suicide—a reminder that there is a hurting world out there (Philip’s post was particularly convicting). But, if “sources” are to be believed, there’s something more. Time will tell.
Links of interest:
OU Poli-Sci Prof Keith Gaddie has a few observations on this bombing
Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin has a good round-up of other bloggers
NEWSOK video section has a few interesting stories, but the videos are only up for a day or two
KFOR has some good updates (but I can’t link individually…scroll down to the bottom)
ChannelOklahoma.com has this story.
And just to reiterate, while I don’t believe the conspiracy theories, there is evidence that should be looked. I have every reason to trust the FBI’s investigation.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Miers Found Christ, Turned Republican
Pres. Bush's latest Supreme Court nominee accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and later changed her party membership to Republican after long being active in the Democratic party! She is now active in the pro-life movement. How amazing is it to read a story like that? It is great to see this testimony of the changing power of Christ! Praise God for this. I think I can fully support Harriet Miers nomination to the Supreme Court. I pray many people read this (it is said to be set to run in Wednesday's New York Times) and turn to the Lord.
Courtesy Drudge.
Courtesy Drudge.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Liberal Bias???
This is an interesting expose: The anatomy of a photograph. The San Fran Chronicle was caught!
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