Christian Indifference to Gambling

John H. Redekop asks the question, "Why Are Christians So Indifferent to Gambling?" He notes that The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has spelled out a clear and solidly Christian stance in its public submission to government, Gambling: A Bad Bet (note: pdf format). In EFC's paper it has these "Recommendations for Christians in Society":

Gambling is insidious because it can destroy relationships in families, because of the high levels of participation among the poor and the young, and because of the rapidly increasing dependence on gambling revenues by governments. The EFC therefore encourages the Christian community in Canada to speak prophetically against gambling. More specifically, EFC recommends that its constituents use their “offices” in the various social institutions in which they function to:

• ask churches and parachurch agencies to provide to their members biblical teaching that exposes the materialistic and idolatrous impulse at the heart of the gambling addiction of society, and to provide practical suggestions for counteracting the pervasive influence of materialism;

• provide through community groups and schools information that describes the damaging and distorting effects of gambling on many individuals and institutions;

• encourage local action in communities, sports groups, and volunteer agencies to combat gambling, while setting up or supporting agencies that minister compassionately to people addicted or otherwise injured by the blight of gambling;

• encourage schools, community and other associations either to refuse or to exercise discretion in receiving revenues generated by gambling;

• encourage businesses to provide goods and services that promote genuine human fulfilment and make fruitful use of God-given resources for the needs of all; and

• serve as an example for how games involving aspects of randomness can be redeemed as opportunities for joy in our families, friends, and communities.