LETTERS: POLL OF CLERGY: OVERWHELMING OPPOSITION TO GAMBLING ISSUE

To the editor:

I took a phone survey of 47 pastors and priests in Cape Girardeau. I asked the question, "Are you for or against riverboat gambling?" The results: 46 answered against, 0 answered for and 1 answered neutral.

Can we as Christians vote against our spiritual shepherds? Can we as a community afford to vote against the moral truths they have taught us? I hope not.

As it now stands, gambling is a money maker for the casino owners, the state tax coffers, cities, the gambling employees and the few and far between winners at the casinos. Where there are casinos some have even referred to it as a gold mine, but I'm reminded of a fool's gold mine. It may produce very pretty rocks, but it is later found to be of no real value and you are left with nothing but the pits.

BRUCE COLLIER

Cape Girardeau