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Pastimes : Rock Of Salvation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: taxikid who wrote (1451)	1/9/1998 2:32:00 PM
From: O'Hara	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 2110

><>...Hi taxikid, glad that we can talk...><> You pose some very good and profound questions, that I believe can be answered in the light of God's will. As far as gambling being declared illegal is a matter of state choice, and in most cases I do not believe it has much to do with morals, as much as it has to do with controls and ideas of controlling people and their behaviors. Gambling is a word that, in this world has some very negative connotations. And in most cases has earned those negative phrases and thoughts usually attached to it. However gambling is just a way of taking a chance on something that cannot be had or determined (by those involved) in another way. Your ex. was a good one. The men who cast lots ( a form of gambling) for the robe of Jesus...all must have known it was special in some way, and all wanted to have it for themselves, so they decided that they would do it the most fair way (as it seemed to them)and winner takes all.... Scripture also tells us that the apostles decided between two men, by casting lots, who should take the place of Judas. Gambling as we know it today can in many cases be extremely immoral and or illegal when it causes, whoever is involved in it to loose sight of all that is good because of gambling. Gambling becomes a sin if it causes any disruptions and or sorrows to fall on the person gambling or anyone realted to the person. We have all heard of the Fm. man who finally gambled away his entire life. Children and wife who were left to fend for themselves because of his gambling.....Wheter it be at the track, the casinos, or the stock market....or where ever else gamblers gamble. To say that a person who, for the sake of entertainment, play an occasional game of cards or even visit a casino while on vacation or even those who play the markets are engaging in an immoral activity is ludicrous, unless they (the gambler) get to the point that their gambling takes all priority and leads them and their loved ones to ruin. Taxikid it all comes down to balance and common sense. It is the obsessive and compulsive nature of gambling that makes it wrong, because sooner or later it can destroy entire families... and that is immoral. ________________ ________________ You said: also when a man finds his religion in himself,and believes in the good of man and for all creatures living{ the ones we kill and eat, are neccessary}is not that man acceptable to all of the spiritual deities? that represent good.. Not sure what you mean here...Can you be more specific? _________________ _________________ do there have to be seven sacramnets, and cannot that man eat lobster or pork indiscriminately {as long as it is cooked properly} Again the seven sacraments? I think I might know what you are referring to here but do not want to presume wrongly. Can you elaborate? As to lobster and pork and even snails...Smile... we are free to eat anything that we want, there is no sin in eating these foods. For health reasons it is best not to though. There are certain foods that God did tell us we should not eat, such as you have mentioned and others. The reason He told us not to eat them was because they were created for other purposes such as scavenging. But if one chooses to eat them they are not committing a sin. ( Except maybe to their good health)...Is this what you are referring to? ____________ ____________ You also stated: what turns me off to religion is that too many say it has to be exactly this way or that way.. if it is not according their template, then you are excommunicated or looked down upon. Taxikid all we ever have to be concerned with is what God thinks of us and it doesn't matter who or what church or organization excommunicates us....God knows our hearts and God's word is our guide. Not the rules and regulations and or by-laws of any organization even any church. That is why it is so important that we know what God has said and what God expects, and we can only know that from His holy word, The Bible....There is also this: that only God can forgive us when we go astray, and He does forgive all without any questions asked. He is more loving and forgiving than many churches teach that He is, and certainly more loving and forgiving than most people could ever imagine to be. Don't get religion Taxikid....get God! i believethat i am happy and my marriage is one of commitment, while not neccessarily directly under "god" of one church or the other but rather a committment made to the enduring spirit of our relationship and my breaching that committment would hurt me twice as much as it would her.. This statement of yours says much good of your character. Hope all of this helps Have a good day Shalom...><>

To: taxikid who wrote (1451)	1/12/1998 8:25:00 AM
From: Alan Markoff	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2110

Good morning taxi, I have enjoyed your post and would like to share some thoughts on gambling. First of all the casting of lots was for religous purposes and it says in proverbs that God decides the casting of the lot the same as the fleece placed before the Lord. To me some things kept in moderation that are not offensive or harmful to anyone else are permissable but maybe not advisable as Paul said. The real issue is overindulgence as the Bible makes clear about glutony (most people ignore this one), alcoholism, and the love of money. According to scripture greed is idolatry, so risking stability for more than what is needed is stepping into that realm, but each person has to work out their own salvation and determine Gods will and desire for them on a personal level. People have misinterpreted scripture to use for their own purposes like with drinking being a sin and others. Clearly the scriptures do not tell us not to drink wine they tell us to not become a drunkard and I apply this to all areas of my life. I hope this was interesting to you , have a blessed day, Nancy