Petty Gambling

by konceptual99 35 Replies latest jw friends

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  will-be-apostate

  Thank konceptual, now I get it. What's the thing with porn?
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  konceptual99

  Stocks and shares have been dealt with many times and are not considered as gambling. For example:

  g00 10/8 pp. 25-27

  A Corporate Lottery?
  In view of the risks associated with the stock market, is buying stock the same as gambling? A measure of risk is involved in nearly all financial investments. Some people buy real estate, not knowing if the value of a property will increase or decrease over time. Others deposit their money in a bank, trusting that their savings will be secure. While the stock market is more complicated, simply put, one who invests in stocks buys the shares of a company in the hope that the enterprise will prosper and the stocks will increase in value.
  Such an investment differs from gambling because the stockholder has purchased part of a company. These shares may be sold to another person or saved in the hope of future growth. This cannot be said of a person who bets money at a casino or on a game of chance. Against the odds, the gambler seeks to predict an uncertain outcome and win the loser or losers’ stakes.
  How much risk should an investor accept? That is up to each individual to decide. Of course, it is not prudent to risk more money on an investment than one is willing to lose.

  Hedge funds, futures, options, microcaps, spread trading etc. all carry levels of high risk than traditional company investment and could be considered gambling but I've never heard of anyone being counselled or sanctioned for this type of financial trading.

  Equally I don't see this as a green light for the elders to participate in gambling. The WT uses the "wise christians" caveat so I can't imagine many elders would engage in any kind of card game with penny stakes. The odd MS might get away with it but this is basically them trying to stop the elders having to make complex value judgements on those who don't toe the ideal line 100%. It's just the same as the porn thing. If an elder was found to be habitually viewing soft core stuff then he would probably eventually lose his position but the guidence means they can overlook some things, thereby preventing loads of appointed men being thrown off or even more people being DF'ed.

  The hypocrisy in this is that there is even some get out mentioned, especially given the points raised by jwfacts.
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  St George of England

  I have invested nearly 70 years in the WTS with absolutely no return.

  Poor investment.

  George
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  blondie

  *** w02 11/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***

  Is it wrong to bet if only small amounts of money are involved?

  God’s Word does not discuss gambling in detail, but it does say enough to show that all gambling is incompatible with Bible principles. For instance, it is widely acknowledged that gambling incites greed. That fact alone is an important consideration for Christians, since the Bible states that “greedy persons” will not inherit God’s Kingdom and classes covetousness with idolatry.—1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Colossians 3:5.

  Gambling also incites egotism and an unhealthy competitive spirit, a strong desire to win. The apostle Paul warned against such things when he wrote: “Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:26) Further, gambling encourages in some a superstitious reliance on good luck. Gamblers develop all kinds of superstitions, hoping to influence luck in their favor. They remind us of the unfaithful Israelites who were “setting in order a table for the god of Good Luck and those filling up mixed wine for the god of Destiny.”—Isaiah 65:11.

  Some might reason that betting small amounts of money while playing a friendly card or board game with relatives or close friends is no more than innocent entertainment. True, someone who bets a small amount of money may not view himself as greedy, egotistical, competitive, or superstitious. Still, what effect could his gambling have on the ones he is gambling with? Many compulsive gamblers began by making petty bets ‘just for fun.’ (Luke 16:10) A seemingly innocent diversion turned out to be something far more sinister in their case.

  That is especially true where children are concerned. Many children have felt the excitement of winning a small bet and have been tempted to go for larger sums. (1 Timothy 6:10) A long-term study published in the United States by the Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling confirms that many gambling addicts began at an early age “by placing small bets on sporting events or playing cards with friends or relatives.” Another report says that “children start gambling at home, usually at card games with family and friends.” The report adds that “thirty percent of children who gambled started doing so before their eleventh birthday.” Many teenage gamblers finance their addiction with crime or immorality, according to the study Why Do People Gamble Too Much—Pathological and Problem Gambling. What a tragic consequence of something that may have seemed at first to be harmless!

  Since we are living in a world that already has too many snares and temptations, why unnecessarily expose ourselves to yet another? (Proverbs 27:12) Gambling—with or without children present, for small or for large sums—endangers spirituality and should be avoided. Christians who enjoy board or card games as recreation would be better advised to keep a penciled score or to play the game simply for fun without keeping score. Wise Christians who care about their own spirituality as well as that of their friends and family avoid the practice of gambling—even for small sums of money.

  [Footnote]

  The World Book Encyclopedia defines gambling as “betting on the outcome of a game, event, or chance happening.” It further states that “gamblers or players usually bet money on . . . such games of chance as lotteries, card games, and dice.”
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  konceptual99

  The porn thing is that you won't be DFed for habitually viewing porn unless it's hardcore stuff.

  This is what the Sherherd book says under the section on what constitues porniea (i.e. cause for a JC to be formed)

  An entrenched. practice of viewing, perhaps for years, abhorrent forms of pornography that is sexually degrading. Such pornography may sadistic torture, bondage, gang rape, brutalizing of women, or child pornography. conduct would be involved if the was promoting such material, such as inviting others to view it, thus giving evidence of a brazen attitude.-w06 7/15

  I am sure there is something somewhere which I can't find right now which suggests that an appointed man can remain in his position even if caught viewing porn if it can be established it's a one off. I might be wrong on this - can anyone clarify?
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  will-be-apostate

  That's interesting and good to know. Thanks.
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  konceptual99

  Thanks for posting that Blondie. That's the WT referenced by the Shepherd book. As you have highlighted the article says gambling is wrong and clearly implies that any level of gambling should be avoided. There is nothing in that article that suggests if you do a little bit of penny stake stuff at home and don't influence anyone else then you're good to go.
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  cultBgone

  Gee, Konceptual, my ex fell into your yellow box so hard, he might have been the example they used there...and even though I turned him in to two different congregations, he's still in. With his new wife, who I dearly hope never had the sad experience I did of accidentally seeing some of his sadistic garbage. I was raised in the world, but the websites this guy frequented in the middle of the night went way past horrifying. But daddy's an elder, so he's safe.
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  gingerbread

  Another prime example of Watchtower pharisaical rule making.

  It's okay for guys to have sideburns....but only "down to here".

  A little 'accidental' viewing of soft porn is okay...if you don't do it all the time.

  The Watchtower Society has been active in the stock market since the 1920's - according to two old timers I knew from Rutherford, NJ. Of course they won't call that gambling ... it's an investment i.e. making money off of your donations.

  I told this to a long time elder in our cong. and he said "that's a lie. 'We' don't play the stock market".

  But, by god, if you have a game at home you better keep score with a pencil - one or two beers max and forget about 'luck'.

  ginger
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  wasblind

  " How much risk should an investor accept ? This is up to each individual to decide. Of course, it is not prudent to risk more money on an investment than one is willing to lose."_____g00 10/8 pp. 25-27 ________Konceptual99

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  That same reasoning can be applied to the purchase of a lottery ticket

  A risk is a risk. Whether it's on the stock market, real estate or playin' the lottery

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  Mind you now. Jehovah's Witnesses are the same group

  that need to be told of how much toilet paper to use at a convention

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  Jehovah's Witnesses never grow into adulthood

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