How do Mormons view gambling?
To Mormons, gambling is considered unwise, potentially addictive, and a misuse of agency and time. Gambling includes playing poker for money, heading to a resort on a spree to get ahead, betting, engaging in games of chance, participating in government-sponsored lotteries, and anything along those lines. Similarly, unwise investing or inordinate focus on building portfolios at great financial risk, is discouraged and considered inappropriate and destructive.
A modern Mormon apostle, Dallin H. Oaks, draws the line between the claims and actual by-products of the lottery:
Public lotteries are advocated as a means of relieving the burden of taxation. It has been clearly demonstrated, however, that all too often lotteries only add to the problems of the financially disadvantaged by taking money from them and giving nothing of value in return. The poor and the elderly become victims of the inducements that are held out to purchase lottery tickets on the remote chance of winning a substantial prize (“Gambling—Morally Wrong and Politically Unwise” Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, June 1987, 69–75.)
Dallin Oaks further indicates that engaging in gambling in any form weakens the moral productive fiber of society, promotes a network of gaining at someone else’s expense, and results in a loss of Christ-like caring for others (Ibid).
When ensnared by the tendency to repeat a win or attempt to win, many have been known to injure those around them, stealing personal belongings–savings, household furnishings, wedding rings–to sell for the sake of a shot at the bigger draw. In the words of Shanna Ghaznavi,
Those who gamble risk more than just money. Their lives and families are at stake too. (“Don’t Bet Your Life” New Era, Feb. 2002, 26–31)
Mormons consider gambling immoral and unworthy of Christian behavior. We encourage everyone to support laws which repeal gambling as a legal activity.
Tags: Addictions, Gambling, Mormon Beliefs
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