Focus On The Family Focuses On Wrong Approach to Casino Gambling
Citizenlink, the online Christian newsletter published by Focus on the Family, is constantly writing about the perils of gambling, trying to instill fear into their followers about gambling, and to accomplish this, they cite antiquated studies that were conducted in the last century, some as far back as 1989.
Their latest effort is to condemn the gambling industry for developing new video slots that appeal to the younger generation which feature flat-panel display screens, surround sound and have the ability for players to compete against each other.
The primary fear factor they use is that adolescents, those under the age of 18, are at a greater risk to develop addiction problems. This is a valid argument. Addictions are generally developed by most at an early age. In most instances of addiction, psychological problems exist, many of those are caused at an early age in ones life.
The way to minimize or prevent any addiction is through education, not prohibition. For evidence of this, one only has to look at programs that provide good parenting skills, early education on addiction, and guidance from adults.
We all know that when a child is told he/she can not do something, their usual response is to try to do it. A child is inquisitive, they want to learn. It is not good to just say no. There must be logical, real reasons that a child can relate to for them to be responsive. Simply telling a child that something is wrong, or that it will lead them to a path of destruction, or making them fear retribution by their god if they should stagger along this route is ineffective and idiotic. It is similarly stupid to ban such activity so that they may avoid the temptation. It is well known that young people will take greater risks when they are not familiar with something.
As they state in their latest article, taking the words of Dr. Guy Clark, chairman of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, "They're trying to prepare the up-and-coming generation to accept gambling as just a normal part of life--perfectly acceptable, harmless entertainment."
In a country such as ours, where 80% of the population has at one time or another gambled, it clearly is perfectly acceptable, and for the majority, it is harmless.
The correct approach that FOF should be taking is not one of prohibition, but one of education. Who in their life has ever had success at anything without education.
The more important issues that face the world today are war, homelessness, poverty, disease. These are the areas that FOF and similar groups should be trying to overcome. They can not be overcome by banning it. We can see that clearly with our current government. Their programs are inefficient, ineffective and harmful. For examples we can look at the war in Iraq, we all know that war is bad, yet we still participate in it. We all know that abstinence only is not the way to prevent teen pregnancy, but FOF is adamant about it. We all know that hate is wrong, but preachers around the globe promote it regarding gays, abortions, et al.
It is time for a change in the religious right. It is time for them to step up to the plate and take responsibility to educate those that follow them. It is time for them to lead in the proper direction. It is time for them to stop lying.
