"Can churches become “casinos” if they install slot machines?"
Posted on 08/04/2020 8:11:29 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that Nevada can legally limit attendance at indoor religious services to just 50 persons. At the same time, casinos, restaurants, bars, theme parks, and gyms are allowed to operate at 50% capacity.
This is a double standard. Why are houses of worship restricted to an arbitrary number — no matter how big the venue is or what safety precautions are in place — while business capacity is regulated based on the size of the venue?
This ruling unfairly targets churches and other institutions of faith. It tells the American people that the economy is more important to our country’s recovery than our spiritual well-being.
Data has shown otherwise. A Pew Research study found that a quarter of Americans have experienced religious growth because of COVID-19. According to the American Psychological Association, “Religion and belief are now seen by many researchers and clinicians as an important way to cope with trauma and distress.”
Americans are craving spiritual connection. That’s why revivals are happening across the country, with hundreds and thousands of people gathering in New York City and on California’s beaches for worship. It’s also why, according to American Bible Society’s State of the Bible 2020 report, two-thirds of American adults now say they want to learn more about Scripture.
The actions of our courts and our governments often tell us that the stock market, political races, and our wallets should demand more of our attention than God. But with Americans’ mental health declining and substance abuse rising over the past several months, are drinking and gambling really the answer? A comprehensive 2015 review of studies on people of various faiths, ages, and races found that “religious involvement is related to better coping with stress and less depression, suicide, anxiety, and substance abuse.”
Governor Sisolak has said that religious venues should be more limited in capacity than casinos because the casinos are more closely regulated by the state, and therefore represent less of a threat to public health. But a New York Times op-ed argued that “Pastors who ignore coronavirus restrictions grab headlines. But most are being very careful about worship during the pandemic.” According to a new LifeWay Research survey, more than 70% of Protestant churches have resumed in-person services. These churches also increased safety measures: 94% of pastors said they’d provided hand sanitizer, masks or gloves, 86% conducted additional cleaning, and 76% said they had closed seats for social distancing.
What our country needs now is more opportunities for prayer, worship, spiritual connection and spiritual guidance. No one should be closed out of church because they were number 51.
The capacity of churches and other houses of worship in Nevada should be restricted by the same rules as Nevada’s businesses, if at all. The Supreme Court’s current ruling is discriminatory and threatens our country’s collective recovery. More money flowing through our economy won’t address the crises of anxiety, depression, addiction, loneliness and fear in America right now. Let’s trust our churches to worship safely and stop unjustly regulating them.
Timothy Head is the executive director of the Faith and Freedom Coalition.
Is it because there is more tax revenue generated from casinos than churches????
A mark, a yen, a buck or a pound
A buck or a pound
A buck or a pound
Is all that makes the world go around
That clinking, clanking sound
Can make the world go ‘round
So they’ll be able to hand out mail in ballots?
Church properties don’t pay taxes,
donations are tax deductible
Churches honor God, not Mammon
And perhaps casinos support the politicians making these decisions? Nah, can't be, politicians aren't corrupt to the core...
I heard that church donations to political campaigns remains very low. Casinos, OTOH, ...
Because the State doesn’t get a cut from the collection plate?
Because they’re protesting the execution of an innocent Jewish rabbi, not a violent thug.
Churches are not a source of tax income.
Nevada Ping!
To add your name to the frighteningly short Nevada ping list, FReepmail me...
I don’t gamble but I have many times seen gamblers on TV and in movies praying fervently for the dice or the roulette wheel to go their way. Probably as many prayers in casinos as churches./s
Bingo. and its is always possible that some of that tax money could well find its way back to or otherwise benefit those making decisions on who has to shut down and who can be open.
Casinos are not 501-C-3s.
What makes more, a collection plate or a slot machine? Any other questions?
Can churches become “casinos” if they install slot machines?
sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry...
Please go up front to collect your prize.
Not a problem. Defy the politicians and go to church anyway.
Oh, and the clergy needs to grow a pair.
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