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The government's decision to sanction the introduction of casino gambling has drawn sharp criticism from one of the country's respected religious leaders.
Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in St. Andrew, the Reverend Burchel Taylor, on Sunday characterised the decision as an immoral one, based on flawed thinking.
In his Sunday morning message, Reverend Taylor left no doubt as to his displeasure at the government's decision, announced last week in Parliament by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Pastor Taylor contends that there is no sound moral basis for the decision.
"Give me all the arguments you want to give me for casino gambling, tell me how much you are going to gain from it give me three moral arguments for it and I will go with you. Better is the pittance gained honest, than the large sum ill gotten. Any argument made for fundamental human action that ignores morality is flawed," said Reverend Taylor.
Many of those arguing in support of the official introduction of casino gambling contend that it is already here in all but name, with only a few missing elements to be added.
Others contend that there are other forms of gambling also in common practice in Jamaica, which undermine the argument of those against the casino policy.
Reverend Taylor scoffs at such arguments:
"What kind of argument is that? More of the bad does not make it better...there is a fundamental argument, morality is important for decision making," he continued.
Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in St. Andrew, the Reverend Burchel Taylor, on Sunday characterised the decision as an immoral one, based on flawed thinking.
In his Sunday morning message, Reverend Taylor left no doubt as to his displeasure at the government's decision, announced last week in Parliament by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Pastor Taylor contends that there is no sound moral basis for the decision.
"Give me all the arguments you want to give me for casino gambling, tell me how much you are going to gain from it give me three moral arguments for it and I will go with you. Better is the pittance gained honest, than the large sum ill gotten. Any argument made for fundamental human action that ignores morality is flawed," said Reverend Taylor.
Many of those arguing in support of the official introduction of casino gambling contend that it is already here in all but name, with only a few missing elements to be added.
Others contend that there are other forms of gambling also in common practice in Jamaica, which undermine the argument of those against the casino policy.
Reverend Taylor scoffs at such arguments:
"What kind of argument is that? More of the bad does not make it better...there is a fundamental argument, morality is important for decision making," he continued.