CHURCHES PULL FOR A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 9

Despite small budgets, church leaders in Missouri are spreading the word about an impending vote that could change the gambling industry's operations in the state.

For the most part, their voices have been quiet and still until now. But as Election Day draws near, the message becomes clearer. Denominations across the state are united in their opposition to gambling and boats in moats.

Missouri voters will decide Tuesday whether to allow slot machines on riverboat casinos. Currently the slot machines are allowed on riverboats operating on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

To show their support of anti-gambling efforts, an interfaith coalition of churches gathered in Jefferson City Oct. 15. Among those participating were the Missouri Baptist Convention, United Methodist Church, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri.

In Southeast Missouri, church leaders have held informational meetings with representatives from Show Me the River, a grassroots campaign aimed at defeating the boats in moats issue. They also have used fliers, posters, yard signs and bulletin inserts as means of spreading their message.

Since it's a grassroots effort there isn't a large budget, said Melvin Gateley, a member of Lynwood Baptist Church who has organized some local efforts.

"We are finalizing our efforts and activating phone banks," he said.

Other area churches have helped spread the word in an effort to reach the largest number of voters possible. Some have reminded voters to register for the election or to vote by absentee ballot.

Despite their best efforts, most voters have only heard the ads and information from the casino industry, said Harold Kuehle, a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

There were no official polls predicting the outcome of the race, but information from the United Methodist Church's Web site said the sides were running nearly even.

"If it runs even, it will be a miracle because of the millions of dollars thrown into the race," he said. The gambling industry, which sponsored the drive for a ballot initiative, has spent around $5 million on its campaign compared to the $100,000 spent by anti-gambling forces.

Kuehle said people need to take a serious look at the industry and how they have mislead voters.

With the fliers and bulletin inserts "people know both sides," Gateley said. "It's a core group of people trying to get out the message."

The Rev. Robert Criete of Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston said that the efforts to fight Amendment 9 have created a spirit of cooperation among the region's denominations.

"It's exciting that we're working together," he said. "We need to let people know the hazards of gambling. As churches, our responsibility is to care for people and gambling can devastate lives."

Most churches have opposed the boats in moats issue because of how it would expand the existing gambling industry to include slot machines that weren't on riverboats.

Opponents of the issue cite statistics on increased crime, bankruptcies and addictions as reasons for their disapproval.

However, supporters of the amendment say that the riverboats would lose money without slot machines and that could mean a loss in jobs for many Missouri families.

AFFIRM, an organization made up of casino employees, said it's message has nothing to do with Amendment 9 but with Missouri jobs.

"Contrary to popular belief, we have nothing to do with gambling," said Frank Oppenheim, president and founder of the Association for Freedom and Individual Rights in Missouri. "We are Missouri citizens who face losing our jobs."

WHAT MISSOURI CHURCHES ARE SAYING

Below is a sampling of what Missouri's religious communities are saying about gambling and the proposed constitutional amendment:

United Methodist Church, East and West conferences

Delegates to the annual conferences of both the East and West divisions of the United Methodist Church voted to oppose boats in moats.

"As an act of faith and concern, Christians should abstain from gambling and should strive to minister to those victimized by the practice," according to the statement in the Social Principles. "Where gambling has become addictive, the church will encourage such individuals to receive therapeutic assistance so that the individual's energies may be redirected into positive and constructive ends. The church should promote standards and personal lifestyles that would make unnecessary and undesirable the resort to commercial gambling -- including public lotteries -- as a recreation, as an escape, or as a means of producing public revenue or funds for support of charities or government."

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod:

The Lutheran Church adopted the following resolution in July.

"...The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod encourages its pastors and lay leaders to educate themselves and the members of their congregations in proper stewardship of the resources entrusted to them by God."

The Synod encouraged pastors and leaders to study an earlier report on gambling and offer support "for those under the burden of such addictive behavior and direct them to the use of the means of grace as God's power for healing and restoration."

Catholic Bishops of Missouri:

The bishops released a statement Oct. 13 that said,

"Some churches teach that gambling is essentially wrong in terms of morality. This has never been the teaching of the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states 'Games of chance ... or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs or the needs of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement.'

The Catholic Bishops of Missouri have consistently held that funding of government services ought to be a matter of responsible stewardship and just tax policies. Peripheral projects like gambling might assist in supplementing the funds of state projects, but they cannot replace the responsibilities of legislators and citizens alike in identifying and funding the needs of Missouri citizens.

Since gambling is not contrary in itself to justice but its morality is dependent on other factors, we urge Catholics as well as other citizens to study the argumentation pro and con on this issue and vote on Nov. 3 to support what they truly believe to be in the best interests of the people of Missouri."

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, Presbyterian Church USA

The presbytery, which represents 87 churches in eastern and southeastern parts of Missouri voted to oppose any constitutional change that might allow boats in moats.

"The Presbytery's position is also based on a long-standing determination by the denomination, the Presbyterian Church USA, that gambling is contrary to Christian stewardship."

In 1992 and 1995, the denomination's general assembly stood in opposition to the expansion of legalized gambling.

Missouri Baptist Convention

Missouri Baptist Convention leaders unanimously approved a resolution in July. It states "Missouri Baptists are opposed to gambling on biblical principals and theological grounds, and recognize that legalized gambling in our state has exploited the poor, increased crime and undermined families. ... the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention stand firmly opposed to a proposed amendment to expand casino gambling beyond riverboats on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers."

Assemblies of God

The denomination had not made an official statement in regard to Amendment 9 but does oppose gambling based on several biblical principles. It says gambling is wrong because:

-- It is a disregard of responsible stewardship.

-- It involves a chance of gain at the expense and suffering of others.

-- It is inconsistent with the work ethic of Scripture.

-- It tends to be habit-forming.