WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention has frequently expressed alarm about the devastating consequences of gambling upon the moral and economic life of our nation and its families; and
WHEREAS, The gambling industry continues its well-financed efforts at invading states which have so far resisted the propaganda-inspired legalization; and
WHEREAS, Several states will likely vote this fall on measures concerning legalized casino and lottery gambling; and
WHEREAS, H. R. 3431, a measure currently pending in the House of Representatives, would remove federal restrictions on interstate advertising of casino and lottery gambling, seriously undermining the opportunity of citizens of a state to debate the issue without the influence of a biased arm of another state government.
Be it therefore RESOLVED, That we, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, June 10-12, 1986, urge all Southern Baptist to resist the immoral inroads of the gambling industry which preys upon poor people, breeds corruption, stimulates illegal gambling, creates compulsive gamblers, and encourages organized criminal activity; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we express our opposition to the legalization of gambling in upcoming elections, whether it be casino, lottery, pari-mutuel, bingo, or some other form; and
Be it finally RESOLVED, That we express strong opposition to the pending legislation which would eliminate lottery advertising restrictions and call upon the Christian Life Commission to communicate this opposition to the appropriate members of Congress and the President of the United States, and to work for the defeat of this legislation.