WHEREAS, The tidal wave of gambling in our country has left in its wake pain and destruction in the lives of countless people, especially the children, poor, and elderly; and
WHEREAS, Many state governments have believed the lie that statesponsored gambling will improve their local economy and provide funds for education, despite evidence to the contrary; and
WHEREAS, State governments by tacit approval of the socalled benefits of gambling become a predator rather than a protector of its constituents; and
WHEREAS, The commercial advertising of gambling further increases the negative effects; and
WHEREAS, Often the tide of gambling has been turned in American history by God's people who knelt in confession and stood in conviction;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, That we, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention, assembled in Dallas, Texas, June 1719, 1997, call on all Christians to exercise their influence by refusing to participate in any form of gambling or its promotion; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That we urge our political leaders to enact laws restricting and eventually eliminating all forms of gambling and its advertisement.
Dallas, Texas
