If you're religious, how does your religion feel about gambling?

[james01]

I'm wondering about how religions view gambling, and how people feel about it. I was chatting with some Moslem friends and they say that Islam doesn't allow gambling.

Please say what your religion is and whether your religious views affect your gambling.

[bryand]

Hmmmm....there's a fundamentalist church in Texas, USA that condones it.

[lauram]

Not religious i do believe there is after life if that helps. As far as online gambling goes as long as your not hurting anyone else then to me at least its fine.

[Jasminebed]

While I am not religious, I was raised Roman Catholic, and there was weekly bingo in the church hall. Fornication was out, but bingo is okay, and the purchase of lottery tickets, etc. Addictions that ruin a family are out, no matter what they are, and counselling is encouraged/provided.

[GaryWatson]

I won after a bad streak and I said "Thank Christ"
He wasnt ther when I lost.

Religion is man made, just like the tooth fairy. Your mamma told you not to gamble because it is bad. You went against it and saw why.

Some religious group tells you it is bad, so what? They may have some wise wisdom like your mamma but they may also have sinister motives for making up their rules.

Gambling is bad. Everyone knows it. You may lose your lifestyle. God would struggle to talk me into visiting his kingdom. He would have to kiss ass big time.

To answer your question. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Religion is only a crutch.

[classymom]

Im presbyterian - I never really asked if it is against church rules and Im not going to. I think any vice can be wrong if you get carried away. JMO

[zuga]

im not religious, superstitious maybe...though i try not to be....lol

[GGW Laurie]

im southern baptist, so i know im doing wrong in the eyes of the church and maybe god, but i also know that god is a forgiving god and if we are created in his image that he has a sense of humor and is not a doom and gloom god if we gamble, drink ,ect ,gambling goes back to the biblical days when the romans liked to gamble.i thank god daily for all that he has blessed me with.it is in ones heart that they worship whom they wish and imho, its between me and the good lord and not the church and elders if i gamble or not............laurie

[1819]

gambling is good. it says so in the bible. somewhere in the back.

[Westland Bowl]

Gambling per se is not forbidden in the Bible. But other passages would suggest to treat it like alcohol: don't take it to excess. And the point of excess should be common-sensibly determined hopefully beforehand, either by you or your overseer, guardian, or whomever.

Prior to several years ago, I never gambled, partly because of my fundamentalist Baptist background and common-sense knowing that in the long-run, gambling by itself is a losing proposition. But when I learned about certain betting strategies, then gambling with a plan and a stopping point seemed to be alright. After much trial and error and losses, I've climbed into the plus side now.

So I believe gambling would be a "sin" for some (most) people who gamble by hunches because they lose too much money, not necessarily that God hath said so. People who are good at it and are successful at it, it's alright. Those who gamble for fun and entertainment and can afford to lose that money, that is fine too. Guys who gamble at land-based casinos in order to ogle the female waitresses, then gambling is wrong for them.