Does gambling conflict with Christian beliefs?

So anyone who sins isn't really a Christian? I'm sorry but there is no such person that lives a life without sin. And that is the very reason Jesus died for us, to ensure our path to Heaven.
 
zeeder said:
Seeing as how he was a carpenter I can see him in overalls bellied up to the bar knocking a few back with the rest of the rednecks, maybe playing barbox 8-ball for longnecks...lol.


Probably wasn't a carpenter, I think this is one of those things lost in translation. First disclaimer I am not a Biblical scholar or language expert. But from what I have heard, an old Aramaic (maybe Hebrew, but I think Aramaic) word for scholar was the same as for a carpenter or got translated that way. When you boil it down not much is known about the day to day life of Jesus. (This is not meant as a religious post in any way - only a post about the historical circumstances of Jesus's life etc... I typically don't like religious discussions on the net, etc...)
 
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JPB said:
Probably wasn't a carpenter, I think this is one of those things lost in translation. First disclaimer I am not a Biblical scholar or language expert. But from what I have heard, an old Aramaic (maybe Hebrew, but I think Aramaic) word for scholar was the same as for a carpenter or got translated that way. When you boil it down not much is known about the day to day life of Jesus. (This is not meant as a religious post in any way - only a post about the historical circumstances of Jesus's life etc... I typically don't like religious discussions on the net, etc...)

Yeah, I was pretty much just trying to be funny. I am sure Jesus was a pretty good guy but I look at the bible more as a grouping of short stories than anything...lol. Kind of like Aesop's Fables! Stories with morals that other people wanted to impress on others.

The only problem is that people often change stories to suit the message that they want to get across when they retell/translate it. This is one of the reasons I could never really take anything in the bible seriously.
 
zeeder said:
I can see him in overalls bellied up to the bar knocking a few back with the rest of the rednecks, maybe playing barbox 8-ball for longnecks...lol.
Did anyone else just get a picture of Blud in their heads??? :confused:
 
landshark77 said:
Did anyone else just get a picture of Blud in their heads??? :confused:


Were you picturing him with his magnifier on his head and a pen in his bib pocket? This is spppoookkkyy!

TERRY
 
Just to set the record straight, I'm not a Bible thumper, I was just trying to respond to the thread. And, btw, this thread said nothing about Gee Doublya so this subject should stay in the Non Pool Forum. I'll see you there Landshark so you'd better lock and load!! LOL!!
 
Sweet Marissa said:
There is an interesting discussion in Charlie Bryant's forum regarding gambling and being a Christian. I was hoping to get others' opinions for those who haven't seen this thread...

Gambling Christian??

Gambling? Pitting your skill against another person's skill, with money being the reward can be looked upon negatively. Narrow minded people look at things thru a narrow porthole. As a Golf Pro, I can still hear the words of Ben Hogan, ring in my ear, "If you can't play for money, you can't play".

This is 2005 & who really cares if you win $500 on a Saturday nite from a loser, who should have quit the first set. This is peanuts... the NFL, the NBA & the NHL are loaded trucks of money & they are revered. They are soaking thousands upon thousands of FAN (ATICS) weekly, luring millions of kids to an empty promise & away from a real carreer to burger flippin' or a low paying skill trade.

I know hundreds of players who win & lose a lot of money each week. How many of them can actually pay their rent, their bills or their personal debts on a steady basis?

Is gambling a Christian action, it must be. They are Gambling all around me & they sure do snub their noses at the gambling in the Pool Hall. It is OK at their Bingo Parlors, their Country Clubs, their Horse Racing tracks, Vegas, every Indian Casino & Atlantic City.... but not in a Pool Hall.

The best player in our town goes to church at least 3 nites a week. He is a fine father, a great husband, a very good school teacher & a very good citizen. When you play pool with him, for money, he will take all you will give him.
 
JPB said:
Probably wasn't a carpenter, I think this is one of those things lost in translation. First disclaimer I am not a Biblical scholar or language expert. But from what I have heard, an old Aramaic (maybe Hebrew, but I think Aramaic) word for scholar was the same as for a carpenter or got translated that way. When you boil it down not much is known about the day to day life of Jesus. (This is not meant as a religious post in any way - only a post about the historical circumstances of Jesus's life etc... I typically don't like religious discussions on the net, etc...)

If he was a carpenter..., I'll bet he made some beautiful custom cues.
Did anyone ever see the commercial for the US Open Tennis Tournament that time. "Only God could play with the Perfect Tennis Racket." It was a advertisment for Prince. It showed God playing with a Racket and the head was just the size of a Tennis ball.

I guess if he played with the "perfect cue" the tip would be about the size of a toothpick. Because he would never miscue.

:)
 
Rickw said:
Well, uh, let's see, how about imagining he was alive today and just happens to like playing pool? Does that work for ya? Sorry I didn't make that real clear.

Anything works for me. Since I know quite a bit about Gods I can let you know that Gods don't die although they can take on a body and the body can die but not the God. So, if the God who was once in the incarnation of Jesus decided to come back in a human form and happened to like playing pool (and was really good) would he gamble? I guess it would be quite possible (not necessarily though) but he would probably be the nicest person to gamble with and if he knew you couldn't afford what you lost he would probably give it back, he might take down some hustlers for a lot but then donate it all to some worthywhile charity.

Wayne
 
zeeder said:
Yeah, I was pretty much just trying to be funny. I am sure Jesus was a pretty good guy but I look at the bible more as a grouping of short stories than anything...lol. Kind of like Aesop's Fables! Stories with morals that other people wanted to impress on others.

The only problem is that people often change stories to suit the message that they want to get across when they retell/translate it. This is one of the reasons I could never really take anything in the bible seriously.

With the Bible out of the picture for you. What religious, political or philosophical system do you take seriously? You might omit most of western civilization's thought on ethics because most of it was spawned at least in part from the Bible. What influence, if any, governs your personal behavior? Don't tell me it is the fear of being arrested.
 
Sweet Marissa said:
There is an interesting discussion in Charlie Bryant's forum regarding gambling and being a Christian. I was hoping to get others' opinions for those who haven't seen this thread...

Gambling Christian??

My opinions don't really matter, it is an individual thing. If someone can or wants to justify it to themselves that is their decision. The problem is, is that gambling at something like pool is done at the expense of someone else, not like say a lottery. You may in fact be hurting someone or taking advantage of their weakness. That is what you have to live with if you choose to gamble and also have religious beliefs that would be contradictory to such behavior.
 
mnorwood said:
With the Bible out of the picture for you. What religious, political or philosophical system do you take seriously? You might omit most of western civilization's thought on ethics because most of it was spawned at least in part from the Bible. What influence, if any, governs your personal behavior? Don't tell me it is the fear of being arrested.

Well, first off I think that, for the most part, religions do nothing but create fanatics, wars and hate mongering. There are a lot of good things done in the name of religion but there are just as many negative things done in it's name, if not more.

What philosophical system do I find most useful? If I have to point at one thing it would probably have to be Taoism. I, also, think that people should not just blindly follow the prevailing morality of the masses. I feel that each and every individual needs to keep an open mind and create their own moral code. My personal behavior is governed by the parts that I take from various religions and philosophies. I then use these to create the morals, values and ethics that I currently live by.
 
Tbeaux said:
Bush won the election by a slight majority. Get over it! :rolleyes:

Terry

OOOH a slight majority! You should be proud! Right now he is below 50%, he has the worst approval rating of any president since Nixon! At least I can come to terms with reality :D
 
Never worry most Sin can be forgiven if the MONEY is right.....

Sweet Marissa said:
So anyone who sins isn't really a Christian? I'm sorry but there is no such person that lives a life without sin. And that is the very reason Jesus died for us, to ensure our path to Heaven.



Never worry most Sin can be forgiven if the MONEY is right. I understand U.S. Senator Teddy “The Drunk” Kennedy even bought off the CATHOLIC CHURCH to give him and ANNULMENT after he and his former Spouse had how many Children after their marriage was Consummated. :D
 
zeeder said:
Well, first off I think that, for the most part, religions do nothing but create fanatics, wars and hate mongering. There are a lot of good things done in the name of religion but there are just as many negative things done in it's name, if not more.

What philosophical system do I find most useful? If I have to point at one thing it would probably have to be Taoism. I, also, think that people should not just blindly follow the prevailing morality of the masses. I feel that each and every individual needs to keep an open mind and create their own moral code. My personal behavior is governed by the parts that I take from various religions and philosophies. I then use these to create the morals, values and ethics that I currently live by.
I think you are closer to the mind of Christ than you think. Throughout his ministry his main target was the religious leadership of his time. Christ challenges the moral high and mighty the most. If you study the passion you will find that he prayed for the people who were torturing him. I hardly see this example as a rationale for war. Yes people have killed in the name of Christianity, but they are political opportunist who would latch on to anything to bolster there position. I am not talking down to your own system of beleifs. Taoism teachs humility, moderation and compassion. All of these are Christian virtues. I was just responding to your post in fear that you buy in to nealism. Also do not dismiss Christianity because of some of the bad spokesman that it has had over the years.
 
mnorwood said:
I think you are closer to the mind of Christ than you think. Throughout his ministry his main target was the religious leadership of his time. Christ challenges the moral high and mighty the most. If you study the passion you will find that he prayed for the people who were torturing him. I hardly see this example as a rationale for war. Yes people have killed in the name of Christianity, but they are political opportunist who would latch on to anything to bolster there position. I am not talking down to your own system of beleifs. Taoism teachs humility, moderation and compassion. All of these are Christian virtues. I was just responding to your post in fear that you buy in to nealism. Also do not dismiss Christianity because of some of the bad spokesman that it has had over the years.

One of the things I like about Taoism is it allows people to have different viewpoints and ideals. Each person's path is their own and it's not my place to interupt your path, nor is it yours to interupt mine; generally speaking of course! I don't have anything against Christ but I am not, nor do I see returning to being, a Christian. There are several reasons for this, but I don't want to bore anyone here with my theological or philisophical ideologies...lol.
 
LastTwo said:
OOOH a slight majority! You should be proud! Right now he is below 50%, he has the worst approval rating of any president since Nixon! At least I can come to terms with reality :D


Oh hell,you damn libs and your constant belief in skewed poles.....WRONG....go back and check Clintons ratings after he lit his cigar.
If there was a pole that indicated libs could gain one vote by undressing and wacking off at high noon in front of the Washington Monument they'd have a f%#king stampede of lib legislators trying to do it sitting on top of the monument in hopes of two votes. :rolleyes:
This was supposed to be about gambling conflicting with christian beliefs (oh sorry,forgot,the second part of that subject is anathma to you libs). :rolleyes:

T
 
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