LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: LUTHERAN SYNOD OPPOSES GAMBLING

To the Editor:

On Tuesday Missouri Voters will be asked to go to the polls to decide on issues regarding riverboat gambling.

I would urge you to once again read and ponder the Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth CFommandments and their explanations as given by Dr. Martin Luther:

The Seventh Commandment: "You shall not steal. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in a dishonest way, but help him to improve his property and business.

Even if gambling may be legalized and a person 's money not gotten in an illegal way as defined by state law, yet I cannot see gambling improving a person's property and business -- rather it takes from him his property and business by games which have infinitesimal chances of winning.

The Ninth and Tenth Commandments: "You shall not covet, etc. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not schme to get our neighbors' inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it."

The gambling industry is interested in making money, as much money as possible, by taking advantage of the sinful trait we all have by nature -- that of covetousness or greed. To me, gambling is not a legitimate form of business enterprise, for it does not have to do with selling goods or services, but only with greed. Be wise. Don't buy into the slick arguments of the gambling lobbies. Our society will not benefit from riverboat gambling because of the attendant evils it will produce.

I would urge you to read the March 14, 1994 issue of U.S. News and World Report to see how, from a strictly rational point of view, gambling will bring blight and corruption into society and life. It will not enhance it.

Christians, we believe, are to seek the good of the earthlyt city. They are to be supportive of good laws which enhance truth and justice and righteousness. In closing I will ask you: Will riverboat gambling bring good or only further evil to our nation which is already in deep trouble with its crime, violence, disease, sexual immorality, unwanted pregnancies, etc? I, for one, think it will only add to the problems of evil plaguing our society.

REV. JAMES W. KALTHOFF

President Lutheran Church

Missouri Synod