the building of the casinos
This recent issue of the government setting up casinos... and two of them some more, has arised many discussions and concerns, especially from the religious groups. Christians first started praying that the casinos won't be set up, now we are praying for people's hearts to not be led astray...
NUS Campus crusaders are also sending out emails on this topic and one crusader brought out some reflecting points which I tot should be reflected upon...
If a casino is not built in Singapore, Singaporeans are still able to travel elsewhere to gamble... to places like Gentings or go on cruises... people are still getting into debts... one typical example is the Christian guy who committed suicide after killing his whole family. Although such institutions are morally wrong, the ultimate decision lies in the values of the individual; whether he/she has a strong christian moral; whether he/she has God as the main focus. So even if there are millions of casinos in Sngapore, that person would not fall into the act of gambling. It lies in the decision one undertakes. It is similar to when we evangelise. We can preach to a person millions of times, but if he CHOOSES not to listen... he doesn't get the salvation.
Looking from another point of view, having a casino would really boost the economy, providing jobs and hence income for people... perhaps some kind of skills oso... less people will go hungry... and this... actually can reduce the rate of crime... indirectly...
So, casinos do seem undesirable, yet if we think about it... the government is also doing what they can to improve the country's economy... we should continue to pray about the hearts of the people...
Somehow, it links back to the 'Harry Potter' issue... i personally feel that there is nothing wrong with enjoying the book, appreciating the author's imagination and her linguistic skills... ultimately it is the individual who has to decide for himself/herself what he should do with the content of the book...
NUS Campus crusaders are also sending out emails on this topic and one crusader brought out some reflecting points which I tot should be reflected upon...
If a casino is not built in Singapore, Singaporeans are still able to travel elsewhere to gamble... to places like Gentings or go on cruises... people are still getting into debts... one typical example is the Christian guy who committed suicide after killing his whole family. Although such institutions are morally wrong, the ultimate decision lies in the values of the individual; whether he/she has a strong christian moral; whether he/she has God as the main focus. So even if there are millions of casinos in Sngapore, that person would not fall into the act of gambling. It lies in the decision one undertakes. It is similar to when we evangelise. We can preach to a person millions of times, but if he CHOOSES not to listen... he doesn't get the salvation.
Looking from another point of view, having a casino would really boost the economy, providing jobs and hence income for people... perhaps some kind of skills oso... less people will go hungry... and this... actually can reduce the rate of crime... indirectly...
So, casinos do seem undesirable, yet if we think about it... the government is also doing what they can to improve the country's economy... we should continue to pray about the hearts of the people...
Somehow, it links back to the 'Harry Potter' issue... i personally feel that there is nothing wrong with enjoying the book, appreciating the author's imagination and her linguistic skills... ultimately it is the individual who has to decide for himself/herself what he should do with the content of the book...
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