HEARTS of the CITY / Exploring attitudes and issues behind the news

A rotating panel of experts from the worlds of philosophy, psychology and religion offer their perspective on the dilemmas that come with living in Southern California. *

Today’s question: Most Protestant churches, from Baptists to Methodists, have opposed legislation to expand legal gambling in the United States. Do you think that individuals in those churches, however, should not be ashamed of indulging in occasional office pools, lottery tickets and playing the slots on a Las Vegas visit?

The Rev. Ignacio Castuera, Pastor of Hollywood United Methodist Church

Shame is a poor motivator or modifier of negative behavior. Opposition to expansion of legalized gambling is effective when it emerges from concern for those who will spend the substance of their income in wagering. Ethical and religious efforts in this area counter the delusion that one can get something for nothing. They also resist the idea that basic social entitlements (health, education, etc.) should be financed through lotteries. Individual church members will be energized to oppose expansions of gambling when they refuse to be part of the gaming industry in any way, shape or form.

Richard J. Mouw, President of Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena

I oppose the gambling business: state lotteries, casinos, racetrack betting. But I have occasionally made a “loser pays for the doughnuts” wager with a friend on a bowl game. Am I inconsistent? Not really--no more than the alcoholism counselor is inconsistent when she has an occasional glass of wine with dinner. We must be vigilant, though. Gambling is a spiritual problem: It easily becomes addictive, feeding on our greedy desires to solve our problems with a quick fix. There is a continuum from the harmless to the harmful here, but the distance between innocent fun and spiritual corruption is deceptively short.

The Rev. Ron Benefiel, Pastor of First Church of the Nazarene, Los Angeles

There are good reasons to oppose gambling: the association of gambling with crime; the “get-rich-quick” attraction which undermines the work ethic and is especially attractive to the poor (who can least afford it); and the disruption in the personal lives and families of compulsive gamblers. To be opposed to the destructive effects of gambling and be part of a movement that opposes gambling but to participate personally is inconsistent and hypocritical. Further, it overlooks the principle of personal stewardship--that all we have is subject to use according to God’s direction in our lives. Ethics with regard to gambling includes both social responsibility and personal integrity.

* Compiled by JOHN DART, Times Staff Writer