RESOLUTIONS ON GAMBLING
adopted by Diocesan Conventions

Periodically, the annual conventions of the Diocese of Newark have stated their opposition to gambling and games of chance. The texts of the resolutions adopted in 1954, 1974 and 1995 are provided below.

Convention 1954
Gambling

Convention 1974
Casino Gambling

Convention 1995
Video Lottery


GAMBLING
Diocesan Journal of 1954

The Reverend Welles R. Bliss moved the adoption of the following resolution, and
seconded by the Reverend Benjamin Minifie:

WHEREAS the prevalence of gambling is increasing, and

WHEREAS certain forms of gambling such as bingo and raffles have acquired
legal status in the State of New Jersey, and

WHEREAS gambling never represents a fair exchange of property, and

WHEREAS the basic principle of Christian giving is that of supporting charities
and Church in imitation of the divine compassion of our Lord without any thought of personal return,

BE IT RESOLVED, That this Convention hereby draws attention to the fact
even though raffles and bingo are now legal, they are still not moral;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Convention reaffirms the position
previously taken by the Convention of this diocese and draws attention to the grave moral and social evils arising through the prevalence of gambling; and that in view of these evils it is urged that no Church or Church organization make money by gambling, and that this Convention further warns of the danger of acquiring the habit of gambling and therefore urges that the members of the Church in this diocese be on guard against participating in gambling practices which have in so many cases been detrimental to the soul and to society.

The Reverend Montgomery Throop offered amendment to strike out in the fifth paragraph the words ‘they are' and substitute ‘gambling is', and in the sixth paragraph to strike out the word in the last line ‘soul' and substitute ‘individual'.

The Reverend Jay Hughes offered amendment to omit the third paragraph and the fifth
paragraph, and in the sixth paragraph strike out the word ‘further'.

It was moved and carried that Dr. Throop's amendment be adopted.

It was moved and carried that Father Hughes' amendment be adopted.

It was moved and carried that amended resolution as follows be adopted:

WHEREAS the prevalence of gambling is increasing, and

WHEREAS certain forms of gambling such as bingo and raffles have acquired
legal status in the State of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS the basic principle of Christian giving is that of supporting charities
and Church in imitation of the divine compassion of our Lord without any thought
of personal return,

BE IT RESOLVED, That this Convention reaffirms the position previously taken
by the Convention of this diocese and draws attention to the grave moral and social
evils arising through the prevalence of gambling; and that in view of these evils it is
urged that no Church or Church organization make money by gambling, and that this
Convention warns of the danger of acquiring the habit of gambling and therefore
urges that the members of the Church in this Diocese be on guard against
participating in gambling practices which have in so many cases been detrimental to
the individual and to society.

The resolution was adopted as amended.

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CASINO GAMBLING
Diocesan Journal of 1974

On motion by Mrs. Nancy Hawkins, the following resolution was adopted:

WHEREAS legalization of new forms of gambling has acted to legitimize and encourage gambling in general and now legalization of casino gambling has been
proposed in the State of New Jersey,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Diocesan Convention go on record
as opposing the legalization of casino gambling in the State of New Jersey, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be forwarded to
the Governor of the State of New Jersey and State Senators and Assemblymen
representing districts within the Diocese of Newark.

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OPPOSITION TO VIDEO LOTTERY MACHINES
Diocesan Journal of 1995

Resolved, that the 121st Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark calls for the defeat of New Jersey Senate Bill S375, which would establish a statewide network of video lottery machines, and voices it opposition to this and any other proposals to increase state sponsored gambling in New Jersey; and, be it further

Resolved, that the Secretary of Convention forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor and members of the New Jersey Legislature.

Submitted by the Christian Social Relations Commission

Supporting Information:

This legislation would allow video lottery machines, able to play simulated poker, blackjack and other games, to be established in places with liquor licenses and at race track refreshment points. The machines would be privately owned, but connected to the State lottery computer network for monitoring and control. The State would receive a portion of the proceeds and municipalities would have the authority to impose license fees up to $100 per year on each machine.

The New Jersey Council of Churches and the Diocese of Newark are on record as opposing the extension of legalized gambling. This resolution accords with that position.

The resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.

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