Regardless of beliefs, don’t judge others

August 13, 2010

Anonymous Laurel Leader-Call The Laurel Leader-Call Fri Aug 13, 2010, 09:39 AM CDT

LAUREL — To the editor:

As a former resident of Soso and current resident of Houston, TX (with a stint in Wisconsin between the two), I always stay up to date with the news from home. After reading many Letters to the Editor in reference to the Choctaw casino in Sandersville, I felt compelled to give a view from someone no longer in the area.

I have been fascinated with the response of the group the Mississippi Coalition for Family and Community Values. Most have taken a religious stance on the view of the casino, and that is perfectly fine. If one feels gambling is a "sin", it is their choice not to participate in the activity. I believe that as adults, we have the choice to make decisions that affect our lives. It is the responsiblity of each individual to make those decisions. It is not the responsiblity of a group to attempt to determine what is morally acceptable for others. Just because I don't smoke (regardless of if that is a health, moral, religous or other decision) doesn't mean that I should attempt to bar everyone else from lighting up. Pressing views of morals and ethics of one group on others is no different from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Iran banning books, movies, music, clothing, etc. because they feel something isn't "moral" or doesn't support their view of proper Islamic culture and values based on religious, Islamic law.

I have also read the arguement that many people develop gambling problems that lead to missed payments, homes lost, and families divorced. Although this may be true, it is a lack of education and common-sense that causes these individuals to behave in this manner. Teaching children at a young age the appropriate way to handle finances or make personal decisions is a much better tactic than making something such as a casino taboo and sweeping the activity under the rug. Proper education and talking openly about proper decision making skills helps thwart those issues later in life.

Regardless, my words of advice are this: if you believe gambling is a sin, do not gamble and do not judge those that do. Do not attempt to make a moral or ethical decision for anyone other than yourself and educate yourself, others, and your children about proper decision making and how to be finacially savvy rather than trying to making an "issue" just simply disappear.

– Ross Bynum

Houston, Texas

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