This sofa from Z Gallerie. Pricey? Um, yes. Stunningly beautiful? Definitely not. But so comfortable you could happily sleep on it for the rest of your life? YES YES YES. It is so, so comfortable and would be the perfect sofa for a den. I adore it.
This daybed from West Elm. I love it. Some guy was selling it for $300 last year on Craigslist in Louisville and I didn't buy it. (Stupid!)
Now. I will offer just a few more words on the lottery.
Something I didn't write in my last post -- something maybe I should've written -- is that some Christians can take liberties others can't (or won't). For instances, some Christians think it's fine to consume alcohol with meals and can do so with a clear conscience. Some can't. Maybe they are recovering alcoholics and can't allow themselves near the temptation, lest they give in. Maybe they think it's just morally wrong in general. But one thing must not happen: those who indulge in a glass of wine shouldn't judge those who don't -- and those who don't indulge shouldn't judge those who do. It's a classic case of Christian liberty.
But is gambling, or the lottery, an example of Christian liberty at all? I discussed that idea with my dear friend Laura over lunch one day this week, and our conversation still has me thinking. In my mind, a gambling addiction is no different than any other addiction that is "too much of a good thing" -- food, unwise spending, alcohol, etc. The thing in itself isn't evil, but the excess and idolization of it certainly is. But Laura brought up a good point: the gambling industry is built on deception. Casinos are excessive and glamorous in every way, and they convince millions that they, too, can have that lifestyle -- if only they come and spend money. And do they ever. My friend Kaitlin brought up a good point in her comment on my last post: a new casino in Pittsburgh, PA generated almost $1.3 million in revenue on $14 million in wagers in the first 18 hours it was open. Wow. But unlike my $2 lottery ticket, most of it is not innocent spending -- it ruins lives. And it's built on lies.
But while Laura challenged my thinking, I'm still left unsure about how I really feel. When do we stop blaming the institution and start blaming ourselves? Our idol-making factory hearts? For instance, what about McDonald's? Is the billboard advertising their new chicken salad as a healthy meal option -- salad that comes with calorie-ridden dressing and, in all likelihood, antibiotic-laden chicken -- as deceptive as the casino's subtle promise that you'll win big? Is it the corporation's fault that Americans are fat (or poor)? Who's to blame?
So many things to think about, so many questions to consider. If you have thoughts, don't be afraid to share them. :) Unfortunately, I don't think my next scratch-off ticket will win me enough to pay for those new couches... darn.
1 comments:
What about in places like WV where the lottery and gaming industries are crucial sources of funding for education, senior citizen programs, veterans' programs, etc? My dad buys lottery tickets partly because he wants to win it so he can give it all away (no joke--he is an incredible man and I have no doubt he would do it) but also because it pays for things like the Promise scholarship and funding for programs for senior citizens.
Because the state uses lottery as a revenue source, that system doesn't bother me too much. I personally hate casinos, though. They're supposed to bring in tourism and whatever to the state, but it has been my experience that the people who visit them here are the ones who can least afford to do so. In that sense, any money that is being generated in funding for state projects is being lost in the end because of, say, the aid programs to help the children of the man who gambled away all of their money and now they can't afford to buy food. I know that there are some people who will go and blow their money on scratch-off tickets and powerball, but I can't help but feel that it is much easier to lose exorbitant amounts of money in a casino setting. Also, the lottery never brought in major crimes, but the areas where casinos are have seen soaring crime rates for everything from violence to the selling of "hard" drugs (crack, heroin, etc) to prostitution.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. How are you?
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