A Resolution on Gambling

With Marion County approving a bingo casino, I am presenting this resolution to our State Convention for consideration this fall. I am in hopes that it will not be weakened to make it politically correct.

Catawba Gambling In Marion County

WHEREAS, Gambling is an immoral effort that creates deliberate risks not inherent in or necessary to the functioning of society; and South Carolina Baptists have historically opposed gambling in all forms; and

WHEREAS, When asked which commandment is first of all, Jesus answered, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:29-30). Gambling feeds on human greed and invites persons to place their trust in possessions rather than in God. It represents a form of idolatry that contradicts the first commandment. Jesus continued: “The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (Mark 12:31). In relating with compassion to our sisters and brothers, we are called to resist those practices and systems that exploit them and leave them impoverished and demeaned.

WHEREAS, The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:9-10a: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

WHEREAS, Gambling, as a means of acquiring material gain by chance and at the neighbor’s expense, is a menace to personal character and social morality. Gambling fosters greed and stimulates the fatalistic faith in chance. Organized and commercial gambling is a threat to business, breeds crime and poverty, and is destructive to the interests of good government. It encourages the belief that work is unimportant, that money can solve all our problems, and that greed is the norm for achievement. It serves as a “regressive tax” on those with lower income. In summary, gambling is bad economics; gambling is bad public policy; and gambling does not improve the quality of life.

WHEREAS, Dependence on gambling revenue has led many governments at all levels to exploit the weakness of their own citizens, neglect the development of more equitable forms of taxation, and thereby further erode the citizens’ confidence in government.

WHEREAS, The Catawba Indian Tribe of York County agreed to the provisions set forth in the Catawba Indian Claims Settlement Act (Title 27, Chapter 16, SC Code of Laws) approved by the state of South Carolina and federal elected officials; and

WHEREAS, The enacted Catawba Indian Claims Settlement Act grants governing rights over the tribal gambling on and off the reservation to the State of South Carolina and limits the scope and technology involved in the two permitted gambling venues; and

WHEREAS, The Catawba Indian Tribe of York County seeks to open a high-stakes, electronic bingo operation in Marion, Marion County, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Federal legislation presently being considered would remove any new location from state regulations, thus opening a potential floodgate of expanded gambling including electronic devices similar to video poker and slot machines networked with all other electronic tribal games and high-stakes bingo; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That we the messengers of the South Carolina Convention meeting in Florence, November 12—14, 2007, again express our vigorous opposition to gambling in all forms; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this convention condemns the decision of the majority of the Marion County Council to approve the electronic bingo casino.

RESOLVED, That this convention commends the courage of the minority of the Marion County Council members who opposed the electronic bingo casino.

RESOLVED, That members of South Carolina Baptist churches be encouraged to contact their federal and state officials asking them to honor The Catawba Indian Claims Settlement Act by refusing to pursue any legislation placing the Catawba Indians under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this convention urges the pastors and lay leaders of the churches to continue to be aware of the dangers of legalized gambling and to further educate their congregations and the public on the destructive nature of gambling (1 Timothy 6:9—11); and be it further

RESOLVED, That this convention supports the strong enforcement of antigambling laws, the repeal of all laws that give gambling an acceptable and even advantageous place in our society, and the rehabilitation of compulsive gamblers.

RESOLVED, That all Christians reaffirm and reassert their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to provide and meet the economic, physical, emotional and spiritual needs (Proverbs 3: 5,6) and disregard the false hope of economic growth through gambling (Matthew 6: 19—24); and be it finally

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be forwarded immediately to the Governor,
members of the General Assembly, and South Carolina’s elected federal officials as a continued demonstration of our resolve and as an encouragement to them to stand firm in support of the existing Catawba Indian Claims Settlement Act.