Sinners - You Bet!

April 23rd, St George's Day, William Shakespeare's birthday, (he also died on his birthday), Cervantes birthday (thus the designation of today as International Day of the Book) and a day of celebration not only in England but also Hungary, much of Spain, Georgia, Lebanon, Palestine, Newfoundland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovenia, Russia and Malta to name but a few.

About St George himself, the Catholic Encyclopedia "takes the position that there seems to be no ground for doubting the historical existence of Saint George, but that little faith can be placed in some of the fanciful stories about him". A not unreasonable attitude that they somehow fail to see should apply to their beloved Jesus just as much. Well, no one ever accused the Church of being rational. One doesn't have to look far for other nonsense from them:

Gambling is contrary to the teachings of God's Word and is therefore sinful.

Gambling is a way of practicing dishonesty. It is a form of taking what does not rightfully belong to a person. Interested in obtaining something for nothing, the gambler tries in every way to attain his ends, and usually is concerned to learn all the "tricks" he can. He is interested in "fleecing" those that are inexperienced. Gambling often takes the wages from innocent mothers and children and returns nothing. Along with gambling frequently goes cheating, and both are forms of dishonesty. Paul states, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth" Ephesians 4:28. Although the word "gambling" does not appear in the Bible, the practice is clearly condemned in numerous passages of scripture. Gambling is based on the evil desire to get money or goods which belong to someone else without giving fair value in exchange. The Bible calls this sin "covetousness" and makes it clear that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Romans 1:28-32).

Because gambling encourages the "getting something for nothing" philosophy, it also encourages laziness and indolence. Men and women who set out on a career of gambling shun honest labor and become parasites. States and cities where gambling is legalized and a "big business" become mere parasites living off the productive labor of others. Such statements as Paul made in II Thessalonians 3:10,11, certainly conflict with the gambler's ideal of living.