I sent off a quick email to former Oshawa Presbytery colleague Christopher White congratulating him on his leadership with a group of faith leaders who publicly and collectively spoke out against a proposed casino for Toronto. Christopher was joined by by other United Church ministers, including two former moderators. With them were representatives from all the major religious traditions. He was quoted in the Toronto Star:
“We are standing here representing 250 faith leaders from synagogues, churches, mosques, temples, all across the Greater Toronto Area,” said Rev. Christopher White, who helped organize the event. “This is the first time that you have seen this amount of commitment, co-operation on an issue that concerns all of us.”
The concern they are expressing is that gambling is a social and even moral ill, not a social benefit as it is cleverly portrayed. This isn't just some knee-jerk "gambling is bad" reaction. Faith groups are aware of the statistics on problem gambling and the pastoral fall-out of lives and families destroyed by gambling as an addiction. I have attempted to support folk who have gone through horrendous circumstances due to problem gambling, including lost homes and jobs, as well as family break-ups
Toronto mayor Rob Ford, known for his sage and measured outlook, did not take the faith leaders seriously. He insists that most Torontonians want the casino and the supposed 10,000 high paying jobs. We should all question his perspective and the wild claims for both job creation and revenue.
What are your thoughts about the casino in particular and the effects of gambling in general?
The only times I go to a Casino are for concerts at Casino Rama. Walking past all the machines and watching some people operating two of them at once makes me glad I never got into gambling. Such a waste of money, and yes, a huge impact on family and health.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago I had spoken with a fellow police officer who had talked about people, over the years, who had taken their own lives in the parking lot of a casino after wiping out their savings looking for that big win. Tragic.
Tragic is right, Roger. I have heard stories similar to that. Have even heard of adults wearing "Depends" so that they don't have to get up and go to the bathroom and loose their "lucky" machine.
ReplyDeleteI have walked through a casino or two but have had no desire to have a go. The noise and all gets to me, not an enjoyable experience.
I think these leaders have done the right thing. More of us need to do the same. The mayor of Toronto just sees what he wants to see. Always has been this way and always will be until he is defeated.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush... my philosophy!
ReplyDeleteOh, and yes, it is a social problem that destroys families and lives ... we should be opposing it.
ReplyDeleteThere is also a proposed casion for downtown Peterborough.
ReplyDeleteThey all come with big promises of jobs, but little mention of the problems.
Probably are backed by the same people that run construction in Montreal.
They have black listed all the companies that are connected to the mob, but had to change that because there were none left, and they had to fill pot holes.
Organized crime is just that, Organized.
In Chris White's response to my email he reminded me that that the fight is far from over. Keep praying!
ReplyDeleteThanks all.