Question on Horse Races

[TheyCallMeMom]

With the Kentucky Derby this weekend I have wondered about gambling, horse races and the like..

A pointed hand in the direction of prophet statements would be helpful as well as your own thoughts and opinions

Thanks

[Palerider]

We have been encouraged not to gamble....

[Palerider]

here is a link

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Gambling

[Palerider]

I will make another comment and this is a personal comment......I love watching sports and the Kentucky Derby.....I love looking at odds and what the odssmakers say about all of it.....I do not Gamble.....and I know this....If I were not an active member in this Gospel....I know I would be gambling...especially during football season and on the Derby and the other 2 big horse races....

[Mahone]

I will make another comment and this is a personal comment......I love watching sports and the Kentucky Derby.....I love looking at odds and what the odssmakers say about all of it.....I do not Gamble.....and I know this....If I were not an active member in this Gospel....I know I would be gambling...especially during football season and on the Derby and the other 2 big horse races....

I don't think I would. Outside of church influence, gambling for me involves way too much effort for such little gain. I'd probably be involved in the odd small style holiday casino with family or friends, but only on the one off occasion. I'm also kind of a scrooge when it comes to money lol, only in certain areas though and I'm positive gambling would be one of them.

[Palerider]

I don't think I would. Outside of church influence, gambling for me involves way too much effort for such little gain. I'd probably be involved in the odd small style holiday casino with family or friends, but only on the one off occasion. I'm also kind of a scrooge when it comes to money lol, only in certain areas though and I'm positive gambling would be one of them.

The casinos do nothing for me....neither do lottery tickets.....but the football pools and the big Horse races...look out....

[Connie]

Here is what True to the Faith says about it: LDS.org - Family Chapter Detail - Gambling

“Gambling,” True to the Faith, (2004),72

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is opposed to gambling, including lotteries sponsored by governments.

Gambling is motivated by a desire to get something for nothing. This desire is spiritually destructive. It leads participants away from the Savior’s teachings of love and service and toward the selfishness of the adversary. It undermines the virtues of work and thrift and the desire to give honest effort in all we do.

Those who participate in gambling soon discover the deception in the idea that they can give little or nothing and receive something of value in return. They find that they give up large amounts of money, their own honor, and the respect of family members and friends. Deceived and addicted, they often gamble with funds they should use for other purposes, such as meeting the basic needs of their families. Gamblers sometimes become so enslaved and so desperate to pay gambling debts that they turn to stealing, giving up their own good name.

The First Presidency has encouraged us to join with others in opposing the legalization and government sponsorship of any form of gambling in our communities.

[prospectmom]

This seems like a sticky area to me ... Horse racing... My in-laws raised race horses and raced at Portland Meadows.... I have always been so impressed with all the hard work and dedication it took....These horses love to race so is their running/racing wrong and if it is then football, basketball, etc..etc.. should be wrong... for the gambling part

[Kawazu]

Hello,

What is the difference between gambling and investing in stocks?

Sincerely,

Kawazu

[Palerider]

This seems like a sticky area to me ... Horse racing... My in-laws raised race horses and raced at Portland Meadows.... I have always been so impressed with all the hard work and dedication it took....These horses love to race so is their running/racing wrong and if it is then football, basketball, etc..etc.. should be wrong... for the gambling part

I do not believe watching them or attending them is wrong.....when you gamble then its wrong to gamble...remember....anyone go into a Bar....its what you do once inside that makes a difference... Edited May 2, 2009 by Palerider

[john doe]

Gambling is discouraged by the LDS Church. They have publicly spoken out against lottery initiatives in Idaho and Utah as well. The policies about members working in casinos have evolved over the years, but they generally discourage LDS from working directly in gambling operations.

[john doe]

Hello,

What is the difference between gambling and investing in stocks?

Sincerely,

Kawazu

Gambling generally denotes someone winning money and someone losing money. Casinos are setup to take your money, if it were not so they would not be in business. For every big winner, there are a thousand losers. In every gamble there is someone hoping the other side loses.

Investing in stocks generally denotes investing a stake in a company. When business is good, and the business is run correctly, profits can be made for everybody involved. Investing does not depend on someone else losing to be profitable.

[talisyn]

Gambling, besides the ties to organized crime and various other unsavory groups, can help to feed addictions you didn't even know you had. I'm reminded of that every Sat. and Weds. when I have a dollar in my pocket. I want soooo bad to buy a powerball ticket, but have a sneaking suspicion once I start i'd be wasting a whole lot of money on a sucker's bet.

Watching the horse races isn't wrong. Those wonderful animals really love what they do. Like watching the human athletes compete, we can be inspired by them.

[prospectmom]

do not believe watching them or attending them is wrong.....when you gamble then its wrong to gamble...remember....anyone go into a Bar....its what you do once inside that makes a difference...

__________________

Pale this reminded me of an incident when I was inactive and my 20's.... I was at a bar where a band was playing...... I saw a man who just didn't fit .... I mean he looked alright..dressed like all the other guys but he just glowed..... To my surprise he was a return missionary...... boy did that put a damper on my evening.. :} I enjoyed talking to him but lost my desire to drink or stay much longer..... I felt God was just sending me a gentle reminder to what I really should be doing..... The RM was not drinking... but I was and suddenly I felt so bad for it ... little things like this have happened to me my whole life when I need a push in the right direction .... any way had to share.

[prospectmom]

Gambling generally denotes someone winning money and someone losing money. Casinos are setup to take your money, if it were not so they would not be in business. For every big winner, there are a thousand losers. In every gamble there is someone hoping the other side loses.

Investing in stocks generally denotes investing a stake in a company. When business is good, and the business is run correctly, profits can be made for everybody involved. Investing does not depend on someone else losing to be profitable.

__________________

thanks JohnDoe for explaining it so well.... now I understand...

[prospectmom]

Watching the horse races isn't wrong. Those wonderful animals really love what they do. Like watching the human athletes compete, we can be inspired by them.

talisyn I so agree I just wondered...... I love the horse races and my daughter is in track soooo inspiring

[prospectmom]

Gambling, besides the ties to organized crime and various other unsavory groups, can help to feed addictions you didn't even know you had. I'm reminded of that every Sat. and Weds. when I have a dollar in my pocket. I want soooo bad to buy a powerball ticket, but have a sneaking suspicion once I start i'd be wasting a whole lot of money on a sucker's bet.

talisyn.... when I was inactive and a bartender I saw the way people were so foolish with their money gambling.... My answer was to just spend 3$ ... if I win great and if I loose well 3$ isn't so much.. It use to make my boss so mad because sometimes I won alot and only re-invested my 3$ I was lucky that I could set a standard for myself and stop that way so many don't, but.. As I have grown in the gospel and seen more of the damage done by gambling in our state... I don't even do that..........

I have a question are raffles gambling???

[Palerider]

__________________

Pale this reminded me of an incident when I was inactive and my 20's.... I was at a bar where a band was playing...... I saw a man who just didn't fit .... I mean he looked alright..dressed like all the other guys but he just glowed..... To my surprise he was a return missionary...... boy did that put a damper on my evening.. :} I enjoyed talking to him but lost my desire to drink or stay much longer..... I felt God was just sending me a gentle reminder to what I really should be doing..... The RM was not drinking... but I was and suddenly I felt so bad for it ... little things like this have happened to me my whole life when I need a push in the right direction .... any way had to share.

I said that because....all of my family was not LDS...my Dad and older Brothers hung out in Bars....yes...I often had to go inside for whatever reason. I still visit one of my brothers and when I do I have to sit in a Bar....

[Jim108]

I never win, so by not gambling I am a winner.

[pam]

I've been in football pools where no money was exchanged. I had just as much fun (if not more) as the ones I've been involved with that did deal with money. It was all about bragging rights and the challenge to be ahead of the rest. I'm happy with that kind of "gambling."

[skippy740]

Hello,

What is the difference between gambling and investing in stocks?

Sincerely,

Kawazu

You are not investing in order to make other people lose so you can win.

If the markets were "normal", I'd advise you to study Modern Portfolio Theory behind investment allocations.

[skippy740]

do not believe watching them or attending them is wrong.....when you gamble then its wrong to gamble...remember....anyone go into a Bar....its what you do once inside that makes a difference...

But we should endeavor to stand in holy places more often than not.

[Kawazu]

You are not investing in order to make other people lose so you can win.

If the markets were "normal", I'd advise you to study Modern Portfolio Theory behind investment allocations.

How does gambling, "make other people lose"? Thank you for your input.

Regards,

Kawazu

[john doe]

Who pays when you win at gambling? Gambling is a bet. If one side wins, the other side (or sides) lose(s). There is no equity growth with gambling, it is merely an exchange of money, generally in a game of chance.

[Kawazu]

Who pays when you win at gambling? Gambling is a bet. If one side wins, the other side (or sides) lose(s). There is no equity growth with gambling, it is merely an exchange of money, generally in a game of chance.

Still, the gambler pulled the slot machine fully cognizant of the probability that he or she would lose. The money lost is just the price of the game.