Is Poker a Sin?

[Christ4Indonesia]

Is gambling a sin? I occansionally play poker w/ friends for money... is it wrong?

 

[StTherese]

This is the answer posed to this question from a Catholic priest:


Q: Is it a sin to place a bet on a horse race? What about lotteries or betting on sports contests? What does the Catholic Church think about playing slot machines? At times it seems that the Church opposes gambling, but isn't bingo a form of gambling?


A: Although gambling is not evil in itself (that is, under any and all circumstances), it has become an addiction for many people. Some experts say that more people are addicted to gambling than to alcohol. If someone bets money that is truly recreational (for example, not money for housing or a family's food, clothing and health care), that is not sinful. But many gamblers cannot set a limit for how much they can lose without endangering their own welfare or that of others.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: "Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive [people] of what is necessary to provide for [their] needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement" (#2413).
That holds true for all forms of gambling.

 

[Barrenlimb]

I love texas hold em and actually am playing tonight with some people. I think it comes down to moderation. Are you using your kids milk money and your wifes grocery money to play? Is it any different tahn spending $10 on a movie with friends? I know plenty of people addicted to movies, Cds, ect.. Moderation and Balance in your life is the key. Spend $10 with your friends and have a great time for 3 or 4 hours...in my opinion, no problems there.

 

[WashedClean]

I love texas hold em and actually am playing tonight with some people. I think it comes down to moderation. Are you using your kids milk money and your wifes grocery money to play? Is it any different tahn spending $10 on a movie with friends? I know plenty of people addicted to movies, Cds, ect.. Moderation and Balance in your life is the key. Spend $10 with your friends and have a great time for 3 or 4 hours...in my opinion, no problems there.

LOL, he's 14, obviously you missed that. But I generally agree with what you've said above.

If you're doing this with the wrong motives (greed, compulsion, etc), then it's a sin. If you are just playing for pure entertainment, then I don't think it's a sin, as long as you don't become addicted to it. You are fairly young, so tread carefully. You don't want to start out your adult life addicted to gambling of any kind.

Are you in control, or is the game controlling you?

 

[GoodNewsJim]

I've asked God about this, and I never got a direct answer. I asked God because I'm good at poker and could make it pro if I spent the time(thousands of hours).

From my experience: Playing a game with friends and maybe some friends of friends is fine because you all get enjoyment and an excuse to socialize. Socializing is good because you get to spread the Gospel.

Now going to a casino to play, most people there are out for the money. They'll do everything they can to get an advantage, including telling racial jokes and spew hatred.

What is the point of poker? Everyone wastes considerable time, and nothing is created as would occur if everyone was working.

In a letter to my pastor last week, I wrote that I need to keep myself from becoming a professional poker player because what is the point of taking money off another person..? Am I going to spend it better than they could? That doesn't seem like a real good reason for me to play.

 

[Iosias]

Is gambling a sin? I occansionally play poker w/ friends for money... is it wrong?

Yes, I breaks:
Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exo 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.
Exo 20:17 Thou shalt not covet

See:
http://christian.org.uk/briefingpapers/gambling.htm

 

[Irenaeus]

**** MOD HAT ON ****

This thread has been moved to Christian Philosophy & Ethics, because the OP poses an Ethical question.

Thank you!

**** MOD HAT OFF ****

 

[ParsonJefferson]

Is gambling a sin? I occansionally play poker w/ friends for money... is it wrong?

I'd say it's definitely a sin if you lose regularly, get really really angry, and pull out your Six Shooter & shoot somebody dead - like you were living in the Old West!


I'll shut up now.

 

[Barrenlimb]

Yes, I breaks:
Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exo 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.
Exo 20:17 Thou shalt not covet

See:
http://christian.org.uk/briefingpapers/gambling.htm

None of those apply to playing occasional poker. Anything can become a god, whether food, movies, cd's, books, videogames, or poker.

Poker is a game of wits and skill... takes time to learn your oppenent and hone your game. No different than playing in a tournament that had a cash prize. (2 on 2 basketball, darts, ect..)
No stealing occurs. Just playing your skillsets against the next persons.
Covet???

 

[New_Wineskin]

Is gambling a sin? I occansionally play poker w/ friends for money... is it wrong?

For you ? That is between you and the Lord . Listen to Him - not us .

For me ? No .

For others ? None of my business .

 

[Iosias]

During the last ten years, through the introduction of the National Lottery and the development in internet gambling, Britain has seen the growth in gambling on an unprecedented scale. The government is now trying to push through legislation to loosen gambling restrictions by allowing super casinos to open in many towns and cities across Britain. With gambling so common in Britain, some serious questions need to be raised regarding the moral, social and political impact that gambling has on society. The following is a list of eight reasons why Christians should be opposed to gambling:

1. Gambling undermines trust in God for our needs
God wants us to depend upon Him for all our needs. We are not to worry about our life, our food and clothing. Life is more important than the material. The pleasures and treasures of this life are nothing in comparison to God's kingdom and righteousness. Neither chance nor fatalism are condoned in the Bible. What is called for is trust in our Father in heaven who provides our daily bread.

2. It is biblically wrong for a Government to promote gambling
As the prayer book reads, the job of those in authority is to punish 'wickedness and vice' and to maintain 'true religion and virtue'. That sentiment is based directly on the teaching in Romans 13, 1-7. Governments are ordained by God to maintain law and order and protect their citizens and restrain evil. For a government to push a gambling agenda onto a nation is entirely contrary to God's purposes.

3. Gambling promotes superstition
The National Lottery symbol (crossed-fingers) encourage wrong attitudes. In some respects the message is implicit rather than explicit. It is nontheless real. Thus instead of encouraging trust in God gambling fosters an irrational belief in fate. That is surely wrong as the bible says that God is in complete control of the universe.

4. Gambling undermines the biblical command to work
Gambling undermines the biblical command to work. Work is part of God's creation ordinance and Christians are to 'work with their hands,' and 'a man who does not work shall not eat.' Gambling encourges a something for nothing attitude and therefore undermines the importance of working for our needs.

5. Gambling promotes greed
The Tenth Commandment is explicit; You shall not covet. What is the driving force behind most people's gambling? It is the craving desire (which can become an obsession) to have more than one has already got. The bible also says that godliness with contentment is great gain.

6. Gambling encourages wrong motives in giving
Many types of gambling are simply there to raise money for good causes. This ranges from raffles and prize draws to the good causes paid out by the National Lottery. Many people's motives for these types of gambling are unlikely to be to give to good causes (especially the National Lottery).

7. Gambling promotes financial hardship amongst the poor
Statistics show that lower income groups spend more than others on gambling, and therefore also a higher percentage of their overall income. Many poor people see gambling as a way out of financial hardship, however with the odds being so low of winning a fortune, gambling for most people makes their situation worse.

8. Gambling leads to addiction
Many people have become addicted to gambling in Britain. This can lead to serious financial and social problems for those (and family members) addicted. Loss of property and possessions is not uncommon. It seems to be an addiction which many find very difficult to stop.

http://churchsociety.org/issues_new/ethics/iss_ethics_gambling.asp

 

[Barrenlimb]

During the last ten years, through the introduction of the National Lottery and the development in internet gambling, Britain has seen the growth in gambling on an unprecedented scale. The government is now trying to push through legislation to loosen gambling restrictions by allowing super casinos to open in many towns and cities across Britain. With gambling so common in Britain, some serious questions need to be raised regarding the moral, social and political impact that gambling has on society. The following is a list of eight reasons why Christians should be opposed to gambling:

1. Gambling undermines trust in God for our needs
God wants us to depend upon Him for all our needs. We are not to worry about our life, our food and clothing. Life is more important than the material. The pleasures and treasures of this life are nothing in comparison to God's kingdom and righteousness. Neither chance nor fatalism are condoned in the Bible. What is called for is trust in our Father in heaven who provides our daily bread.

2. It is biblically wrong for a Government to promote gambling
As the prayer book reads, the job of those in authority is to punish 'wickedness and vice' and to maintain 'true religion and virtue'. That sentiment is based directly on the teaching in Romans 13, 1-7. Governments are ordained by God to maintain law and order and protect their citizens and restrain evil. For a government to push a gambling agenda onto a nation is entirely contrary to God's purposes.

3. Gambling promotes superstition
The National Lottery symbol (crossed-fingers) encourage wrong attitudes. In some respects the message is implicit rather than explicit. It is nontheless real. Thus instead of encouraging trust in God gambling fosters an irrational belief in fate. That is surely wrong as the bible says that God is in complete control of the universe.

4. Gambling undermines the biblical command to work
Gambling undermines the biblical command to work. Work is part of God's creation ordinance and Christians are to 'work with their hands,' and 'a man who does not work shall not eat.' Gambling encourges a something for nothing attitude and therefore undermines the importance of working for our needs.

5. Gambling promotes greed
The Tenth Commandment is explicit; You shall not covet. What is the driving force behind most people's gambling? It is the craving desire (which can become an obsession) to have more than one has already got. The bible also says that godliness with contentment is great gain.

6. Gambling encourages wrong motives in giving
Many types of gambling are simply there to raise money for good causes. This ranges from raffles and prize draws to the good causes paid out by the National Lottery. Many people's motives for these types of gambling are unlikely to be to give to good causes (especially the National Lottery).

7. Gambling promotes financial hardship amongst the poor
Statistics show that lower income groups spend more than others on gambling, and therefore also a higher percentage of their overall income. Many poor people see gambling as a way out of financial hardship, however with the odds being so low of winning a fortune, gambling for most people makes their situation worse.

8. Gambling leads to addiction
Many people have become addicted to gambling in Britain. This can lead to serious financial and social problems for those (and family members) addicted. Loss of property and possessions is not uncommon. It seems to be an addiction which many find very difficult to stop.

http://churchsociety.org/issues_new/ethics/iss_ethics_gambling.asp

Me thinks you should come play poker at my house sometime and see what it is really about. Rather than pure speculation, you should go to a poker night (you'll find a group of guys in about every church that do it, whether they talk about it or not at church) and just see how it goes down. Probably the best way to see that it is a nice social thing that promotes discussion, friendships, ect...as opposed to seeing a movie where you spend $10 and don't even communicate the whole time. Same thing, entertainment..social event.

 

[Ringo84]

Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

What, pray tell, does that have to do with poker?

Exo 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.

It's not stealing if you win the pot (the total amount of money bet in a round) fair-and-square. Using that logic, winning a toaster at a church bingo would be "stealing".

Exo 20:17 Thou shalt not covet

What does that have to do with poker?

1. Gambling undermines trust in God for our needs
God wants us to depend upon Him for all our needs. We are not to worry about our life, our food and clothing. Life is more important than the material. The pleasures and treasures of this life are nothing in comparison to God's kingdom and righteousness. Neither chance nor fatalism are condoned in the Bible. What is called for is trust in our Father in heaven who provides our daily bread.

It would be if you counted on poker providing for all your needs. Most people play poker to earn a little bit of cash; not so that they can win an early retirement.

2. It is biblically wrong for a Government to promote gambling
As the prayer book reads, the job of those in authority is to punish 'wickedness and vice' and to maintain 'true religion and virtue'. That sentiment is based directly on the teaching in Romans 13, 1-7. Governments are ordained by God to maintain law and order and protect their citizens and restrain evil. For a government to push a gambling agenda onto a nation is entirely contrary to God's purposes.

"Gambling agenda"? Why is everything an "agenda" these days?

3. Gambling promotes superstition
The National Lottery symbol (crossed-fingers) encourage wrong attitudes. In some respects the message is implicit rather than explicit. It is nontheless real. Thus instead of encouraging trust in God gambling fosters an irrational belief in fate. That is surely wrong as the bible says that God is in complete control of the universe.

The national lottery symbol is just a symbol. It's ridiculous to think that because of one symbol, the entire gambling "establishment" is based on superstitition.

An "irrational belief" in fate? We're talking about degrees here. Most people don't begin to believe in fatalism just because they play a few hands of poker every now and then.

5. Gambling promotes greed
The Tenth Commandment is explicit; You shall not covet. What is the driving force behind most people's gambling? It is the craving desire (which can become an obsession) to have more than one has already got. The bible also says that godliness with contentment is great gain.

That might be your best argument in the entire two posts. It still doesn't prove conclusively that gambling is evil, however.

6. Gambling encourages wrong motives in giving
Many types of gambling are simply there to raise money for good causes. This ranges from raffles and prize draws to the good causes paid out by the National Lottery. Many people's motives for these types of gambling are unlikely to be to give to good causes (especially the National Lottery).

I think you're generalizing too much. That could be the motive in some cases.

7. Gambling promotes financial hardship amongst the poor
Statistics show that lower income groups spend more than others on gambling, and therefore also a higher percentage of their overall income. Many poor people see gambling as a way out of financial hardship, however with the odds being so low of winning a fortune, gambling for most people makes their situation worse.

Probably true, but that doesn't mean that gambling is evil. It just means that people who are poor often have more of a problem with gambling.

8. Gambling leads to addiction
Many people have become addicted to gambling in Britain. This can lead to serious financial and social problems for those (and family members) addicted. Loss of property and possessions is not uncommon. It seems to be an addiction which many find very difficult to stop.

That's a slippery-slope argument. Gambling doesn't ALWAYS lead to addiction. It does in some cases, but not all cases.
Ringo

 

[dayhiker]

I thought I'd respond also the the 8 reasons.

This is very common. Not one scritpure says its a sin. Even tho I'm sure there were people that made their living in Bible days off gambling.

Most of these arguments are over statements in my mind. Take number 5 about greed. According to the wording I should be going to work because it shows I want more than I have got already.

I gambled a few times. It became clear that I didn't think quick enough to win. It also became clear that I'm not lucky. So I almost never gamble. So I would encourage others to do the same. get to know yourself. If you loss, are addictive etc then stay away.

As with all activities, do it all to the glory of God and in faith. Or to enjoy the fellwoship as pointed out previously.

dayhiker

 

[MezzaMorta]

Nothing wrong with droping a few bills in alantic city, just don't spend your life saveings. Spend what is enough money that is you lose it will not bother you.

Anytime you gamble, just assume that any money you are gambling you are going to lose. That way you will never lose more than you are able to.

When ever I goto the casino, i take out some cash, leave all my debit and credit cards at home and play intill either i'm tired of it or lose the money i took. But that way i won't lose any more than i aloted.

and if you win, keep your casino money together. So sometimes if i say ok i'll goto alantic and spend a g, you get some luck no craps and end up with 5g's at the end of the ngiht. I'll put that money away and next time i goto alantic i'll take the 5'g... you make more witht hat you have more to play with, lose some then you arn't loseing anymore than you orginonlaly planed on.

 

[letmercylead]

I don't play the lottery simply because I'm not lucky!....but I've had this discussion with friends about whether or not buying a scratch-off ticket or a lottery ticket is a sin or not....I personally agree with the thought that its not a sin unless it becomes a "god".... (it takes precedence in your life).....

 

[PaladinValer]

1. AV does not speak for Anglicanism
2. Gambling is not a sin. Gambling obsessively, compulsively, or to the point of financial disaster is.
3. Gambling is also a sin if by law you should not be.

 

[wildthing]

i use to be opposed to gambling or playing cards, The only time that I'm opposed to it when it becomes a complusion in your life and when the Government says you can not.

Now will I gamble, no. But I won't judge you if you do.

A thought when you place money on the stock market is that not the same as gambling.

Someone put out list of things on another page about gambling some of the things listed could be thought of as the same for buying stock.

 

[PaladinValer]

Gambling is any game of risk when money is on the line.

The stock market most definitely is a gamble.

 

[Leah]

During the last ten years, through the introduction of the National Lottery and the development in internet gambling, Britain has seen the growth in gambling on an unprecedented scale. The government is now trying to push through legislation to loosen gambling restrictions by allowing super casinos to open in many towns and cities across Britain. With gambling so common in Britain, some serious questions need to be raised regarding the moral, social and political impact that gambling has on society. The following is a list of eight reasons why Christians should be opposed to gambling:

1. Gambling undermines trust in God for our needs
God wants us to depend upon Him for all our needs. We are not to worry about our life, our food and clothing. Life is more important than the material. The pleasures and treasures of this life are nothing in comparison to God's kingdom and righteousness. Neither chance nor fatalism are condoned in the Bible. What is called for is trust in our Father in heaven who provides our daily bread.

2. It is biblically wrong for a Government to promote gambling
As the prayer book reads, the job of those in authority is to punish 'wickedness and vice' and to maintain 'true religion and virtue'. That sentiment is based directly on the teaching in Romans 13, 1-7. Governments are ordained by God to maintain law and order and protect their citizens and restrain evil. For a government to push a gambling agenda onto a nation is entirely contrary to God's purposes.

3. Gambling promotes superstition
The National Lottery symbol (crossed-fingers) encourage wrong attitudes. In some respects the message is implicit rather than explicit. It is nontheless real. Thus instead of encouraging trust in God gambling fosters an irrational belief in fate. That is surely wrong as the bible says that God is in complete control of the universe.

4. Gambling undermines the biblical command to work
Gambling undermines the biblical command to work. Work is part of God's creation ordinance and Christians are to 'work with their hands,' and 'a man who does not work shall not eat.' Gambling encourges a something for nothing attitude and therefore undermines the importance of working for our needs.

5. Gambling promotes greed
The Tenth Commandment is explicit; You shall not covet. What is the driving force behind most people's gambling? It is the craving desire (which can become an obsession) to have more than one has already got. The bible also says that godliness with contentment is great gain.

6. Gambling encourages wrong motives in giving
Many types of gambling are simply there to raise money for good causes. This ranges from raffles and prize draws to the good causes paid out by the National Lottery. Many people's motives for these types of gambling are unlikely to be to give to good causes (especially the National Lottery).

7. Gambling promotes financial hardship amongst the poor
Statistics show that lower income groups spend more than others on gambling, and therefore also a higher percentage of their overall income. Many poor people see gambling as a way out of financial hardship, however with the odds being so low of winning a fortune, gambling for most people makes their situation worse.

8. Gambling leads to addiction
Many people have become addicted to gambling in Britain. This can lead to serious financial and social problems for those (and family members) addicted. Loss of property and possessions is not uncommon. It seems to be an addiction which many find very difficult to stop.

http://churchsociety.org/issues_new/ethics/iss_ethics_gambling.asp

It's amazing to me that some christians even refute something as simple, truthful and practical as this.

Ah, but I must not forget that it's all about 'moderation'.