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Indianapolis Stadium Plan Refuels Gambling Proposal

INDIANA – As reported by the Indianapolis Star: "As bingo night winds down at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, the cash tray in front of church member Patty Ciresi is bulging with wads of $50 bills.

"…St. Michael parish took in more than $700,000 in gambling revenues last year. Most went back as prizes for the players and to pay overhead costs.

"…Gambling for God isn't a concept that plays well in many religious circles. But Mayor Bart Peterson would be happy if gambling would work a miracle for another Sunday franchise -- the Indianapolis Colts.

"Peterson's plan to use slot machine revenues to build a new stadium for the Colts is forcing Indianapolis to look at itself in the mirror and decide how it really feels about gambling. Among religious leaders, there are varying degrees of concern.

"While Catholics see nothing intrinsically evil about gambling -- as evidenced by bingo nights at St. Michael -- that view is far from universal. Leading the opposition are United Methodists, who as a denomination have deemed gambling a 'menace to society.'

"…Rabbi Dennis Sasso, of the Northside's Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, sees gambling as a complicated matter.

"Gambling has generally been 'frowned upon' in Judaism, he said. Ancient rabbis disqualified professional gamblers from testifying in courts, publicly reading Scriptures and other 'communal roles of trustworthiness.' Gambling for personal gain has long been viewed with suspicion.

"That said, one of the traditions of Hanukkah involves Jewish children playing with a dreidel, a gambling game in which the prize is candy. And several local synagogues -- including Beth-El Zedeck -- hold raffles that have generated thousands of dollars. Gambling as entertainment

"…For Muslims, there's no such allowance, said Umar Al-Khattab, the imam of Masjid Al-Fajr mosque on Cold Spring Road. In the Quran, Muslims read that gambling and alcohol are an 'abomination' and 'Satan's handiwork.'

"…Seventh-day Adventists reject gambling. Southern Baptists have called for its elimination. And national Christian organizations such as Focus on the Family have position papers against it.

"…Peterson admits he is bothered by the criticism from clergy, even though he expected it.

"…Catholic churches in Marion County took in more than $12 million last year through 'charity gaming' -- bingo, raffles, festivals and game nights.

"…They recognize that some people lose control. But they think it's a fine way for the mayor to build the stadium…"

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