Would It Be Ethical for a Christian to Work in a Casino?
Mar 17, 2018 21:22:04 GMT -5
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Mar 17, 2018 21:22:04 GMT -5
Would It Be Ethical for a Christian to Work in a Casino?
Let's not kid ourselves that gambling is the only thing that goes on in such places. I live in Las Vegas, the casino capital of the world. Let me share a few things to help frame the discussion. Here's what goes on in casinos:
--blatant sexual immorality: waitresses and servers are required to wear the skimpiest of outfits, clothing that leave zero to the imagination and are specifically designed to pander to a person's lustful desires. This is specifically why I avoid casinos to the max extent possible. I don't need to have some hottie waitress showing off her stuff parading in front me and enticing into adultery.
--human trafficking: while prostitution is technically illegal in Clark Co., casinos basically look the other way and i suspect actually encourage it because sex sells and brings folks into the casinos. BTW, the average age of a girl who's arrested for prostitution is something like 14 or 16 years of age. The pimps are getting very sophisticated such that often the only way to stop them is to have them brought up on charges by the IRS for tax evasion because they deal only in cash (and lots of it, some of the wealthiest people in town are drug lords and pimps).
--government corruption: the most heavily policed area in town is the Strip. A couple blocks away, we have the most heavily gang-infested area. The police in that area are short-staffed, yet it is where most of the murders (multiple per day) and drug trafficking occur. The reason for this is that the town is run by the casino owners, and they get the priority because they have the cash and the clout. This also plays out in terms of infrastructure maintenance, transportation services, etc.
--more government corruption: Paris Hilton can break the law and get a slap on the wrist. A normal citizen can break the law and get thrown in jail for years. What's the difference? A decision made by a district attorney who knows which person has more money to contribute to the local economy...This atmosphere is driven by the casinos.
--gambling: there is a mathematical way in which to beat the house at some games. It's been proven; I work with folks who do it professionally. The point is, if you don't know what you're doing, you CANNOT be a good steward of your money. You WILL lose your money, and you are throwing away your money to line the pockets of a culture that overtly supports and drives the things I mentioned above.
So, I guess if you, as a Christian, feel comfortable contributing to that type of environment and culture, then perhaps there are some more serious questions to ask about yourself than just reducing the "casino" issue to "gambling".
The issue isn't "Christian freedom"; the issue is how much are we willing to die to self!
More on this Christian freedom issue: here are some Biblical commands to consider in light of the casino discussion.
2 Cor. 10:5--"we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ"
Can you even walk through a casino in the type of environment described above and still say that you've taken every thought captive in obedience to Christ? If so, you need to get on the celebrity Christian lecture circuit right now, because that's vital information that I and most other Christians need desperately, and I'm being deadly serious in that statement!
1 Cor. 10--"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Can you be rolling the dice with scantily-clad serving girls around you and still say that you are bringing glory to God? If so, you're a better Christian than I. Instead, how about sharing the gospel with them and everyone else in the casino? Ever thought of that instead of rolling dice and pleasing yourself?
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