True Christian Poker players?

[Josh W]

I'm a devout Christian and have been a serious player for 5 years.

If you search for past posts of mine, you'll see long diatribes on this, but I donate 1/3 of my winnings to charities. i have a certain amount of "they'll gamble anyways" attitude, so I'm just moving a lot of their money from their losing hands into needy hands.

Josh

[hmkpoker]

I think professional poker playing is unethical from an economic point of view moreso than a Christian point of view; you're getting money without giving any service back to society. The logical problem with the "they'll gamble anyways" thing is that a pro takes up the seat of what would otherwise be another slight loser, juicing the pots for the others with hands that the pro would fold. They then win more (or lose less) money, and have more money to put into the economy.

However, as a semi-serious player myself, I know the money makes you not really care, and I think it's quite commendable that you give a portion of your winnings to charity. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[imported_luckyme]

[ QUOTE ]
you're getting money without giving any service back to society.

[/ QUOTE ] It's in the same league as buying a puzzle book or paying to watch a movie. When they play poker they get to chose to have their skill levels tested at a price of their choosing.

Players pay to play with pros as bridge partners, or could challenge Tiger Woods to a money match. Players could stay home and play against their neighbours kids for rice krispies. The pro serves the role of 'test provider', much more directly than the owner of the rock-climbing arcade in the mall does ( he doesn't have to do better than you at it before you'll pay him). Providing what people want is a providing a service.
[ QUOTE ]
and have more money to put into the economy.

[/ QUOTE ] The pro doesn't take the money home and put it under his bed. If a person is out playing poker it's often with money that would be sitting idle in their saving account. the pro will recycle it rapidly through the hookers and blackjack dealers.

[KeysrSoze]

"Render unto the rake that which is the house's"?
"River unto others as they would river unto you"?

Sounds better than body thetans.