Gambling

Press, 28 December 1987, Page 12

Gambling

Sir,—V. H. Anderson (December 18) misrepresents my comments. I suspect the writer was being partly facetious in response to my being “terribly righteous,” but anyone who criticises the morality of gambling can be accused of sounding terribly righteous. Even the comments I made concerning the worthy motives some people have for gambling were misrepresented to mean I “see worthy motives allowing sin.” I did not mention “sin,” or “theology,” or "condemn Lotto addicts.” I focused on the Government’s immorality in promoting and encouraging various forms of gambling. V. H. Anderson does not dispute that gambling can become addictive, fostering crime and poor stewardship. Instead,

he says “life’s a gamble,” using the word "gamble” in a loose sense, which confuses the issue. He concludes that life’s inequalities and Government injustices justify gambling, not a very uplifting or convincing conclusion. People feel helpless facing Government immorality. A better response is to pray for our leaders and oppose evil. —Yours, etc. JOHN D. CANHAM. December 21,1987.