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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
February 2004 |
Letters
Expansion of gambling
As of today there is one piece of proposed legislation which amounts to an expansion of legalized gambling in Indiana. It is Senate Bill 243, which would enable any "tavern" (i.e., any establishment with a liquor license) to set up "video games" for a fee per machine put in place. Now, in reality, quite a number of bars already have these devices in place. If you've even been to a Garfields or a Texas Roadhouse, you may have already seen them. They purport to be "for entertainment purposes only" but there's a charge for playing (as there would be for an arcade game) and in a number of settings there is also an actual "payout" (through cash on hand at the bar or other sources).
So here's what's really going on here. The state does NOT allow these devices anywhere currently if indeed a payout is involved. Yet they are widely in use, and enforcement measures are slim to none for the most part.
So now the proposal is, as it were, to "grandfather" them in, for a fee. Rather than enforce the existing law, or toughen it to make it more enforceable, the legislation proposes to help the state realize additional income by reversing its current ban on these devices. And, to be sure, you can "bet" that this legislation will lead to a vast expansion of the video gaming business in Indiana. After all, the primary business of the company that operates the Hoosier Lottery is video gaming devices. That company has acquired lottery companies as a "side venture."
So... contact your senator and representative today, let them know you do not approve of Senate Bill 0243, and that you would prefer for them to work with your local authorities (police, sheriff, and state police units) for actual enforcement of the existing statutes. Then also contact your local authorities to share that concern. It wouldn't hurt to contact your mayor or town board to share that concern as well.
Taylor Burton-Edwards, Director
of Community Impact
United Way of Madison County, Ind.
'Passion of the Christ' phenomenal
You can dispute the physical realities of the Virgin Birth. You can dispute the physical realities of the Resurrection. But there is one undisputable truth. Jesus completely gave himself for another, for ALL.
Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ" was phenomenal and overwhelming. If we have not figured out how to articulate what Jesus Christ means to us, society will force us to start talking when the movie is released Ash Wednesday!
Laura Kirpatrick
Valparaiso, Ind.
Jews, Christians and The Passion of the Christ
The North Indiana Conference's continuing education program recently had an event at Tipton with Rabbi Michael Cook, who is professor of New Testament at Hebrew University -- one of very few scholars who are Jewish New Testament professors. In this capacity, he was involved as an advisor on Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of The Christ.
Rabbi Cook severed his connection to this movie because of his concerns about the violence and the extra-scriptural moments of torture which come from the writings of an 18th century nun's "vision" of the passion. Still, it seemed to me that he was open-minded about how the movie might be received. What sticks in my mind about his comments is something to which I think all of us should be sensitive. He said, "Jews and Christians who attend this movie will see two completely different movies. Jews will see it as "they think of us as people who would do something as violent as that, "while Christians will see it as "look at how much Jesus loved us, to go through this for our salvation."
As this movie makes its impact on our society, an impact I pray will be positive as we are reminded about how much Jesus did love us and that the sacrifice was real, I also pray that we can communicate to concerned Jewish friends that it is his love we are reflecting on, and that the violence in the movie is not anything we ever associated with them. A good time to explain our faith as, "It is my sin which put him there."
David Schrader, Calumet District
Superintendent
Merrillville, Ind.
Reader questions Bill Schwein's column
This letter seeks to focus on the columns of the Rev. Bill Schwein. For years I have sought to understand his purpose and motivation. In reviewing the mission statement of "together." I cannot see how his column shares joy, personal faith, challenges or serves to refresh the spirit. Time after time, I sense his growing frustration with the church and that the column provides him a place to vent. While I certainly believe we need to question and challenge our direction, music, programs, Christmas services, seminary training, etc., it should be in the spirit of growth, rather than one of seeming despair.
As leaders, editors and pastors, I am asking you to prayerfully read over his columns of the past year and ask yourself if you believe his work is helping to fulfill our mission. As always, I will work to respect your decision.
Mark Smith, St. Mark' s UMC Youth
Director
Carmel, Ind.
Praying for Bishop White and whoever follows him
As my wife Jodie and I were praying for our bishop this morning, it occurred to me that it is not too soon to earnestly pray for our next Indiana Area bishop. Being thankful for Bishop White and his leadership led to prayers for a fruitful finale of his ministry here among us and asking God to use him in retirement as long as he lives.
Our praying also led to proactive praying for whomever God wants to select for our next spiritual Shepherd. Quick as a wink my "computer" took in the situation of "political correctness" that seems to be in control of our American politics and religion. We must have a balance of male and female. Remember the demand for balance and fairness of racial and ethnic groups among our leaders. And don't forget the theological correctness!
I don't say these considerations are evil, or bad. But the question came to me: What IF God's choice for us should turn out to be white, male, with a not-too-old family, and a theology that is not too different from ours?
All of which led me to Matthew's record of what our Lord Jesus said (Matthew 9:35-38) "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Loving God and a passion to see souls "saved" is historic United Methodism!
All of which leads me to remind us that, whether praying for God's choice of a pastor or a bishop, our sincere prayer should begin with the first person singular: "Lord Jesus, send your Holy Spirit to cleanse the very heart of me so that I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and my neighbor as myself (Mark 12:28-31 cf Acts 15:9)."
Maybe our priorities of loving God and other people would be a good place to start in praying for leaders with those same two qualifications. I'm now 81, but I hope God can still use my writing to challenge the rest of you!
J. Robert Boggs
Winona Lake
Pleased with newspaper format
I am so pleased with the Together issue I have just received. The magazine format did not meet my needs. I confess I do not warm to the idea of going online to get my news. I use my computer for news when I have to, but I do not like it. I prefer the printed medium. Thank you for the change. I hope it is permanent.
Jack T. King
Carmel, Ind.
Last updated on 04/19/2004