Partners In The Mission: Do Kentucky Baptists Care Enough? 02/26/2008 a message from Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director Do Kentucky Baptists care enough to stand with those who are risking their political careers in fighting against casino gambling? Gambling proponents are presently exerting incredible pressure on legislators to secure votes in the General Assembly. It is therefore very important that our legislators hear from Kentucky Baptists, NOW! I understand the reluctance to take action. Our lives are busy and it is very easy to think that our individual efforts are not important or that they are unnecessary because “someone else will do it.” Your voice does matter, however, and your silence speaks volumes. Even though you may recognize the devastating problems that will result from casino gambling, if you do not act, the voices of gambling interests will be the only ones heard in Frankfort. In fact, there are some legislators who have said they have not heard from a single person in their constituency who opposes casino gambling. Passage of the proposal now on the table will be devastating for all Kentucky citizens – both those who gamble and those who do not. With 12 casinos strategically located across the Commonwealth, no family will be outside the gambling frequency zone. It is therefore likely that you will experience a family member or friend who becomes a pathological (80,000 people) or a problem gambler (200,000 people). In addition, research shows that a person with a gambling problem impacts the lives of 11-15 people in addition to themselves – family, friends, and coworkers. With more than 800,000 Kentucky Baptists, we have the numbers to have a major impact for good on this issue. But if Kentucky Baptists do not care enough to act, I believe the Commonwealth of Kentucky will soon place its seal of approval on a practice that has led many into addictive and destructive lifestyles. Kentucky will then be sanctioning a false hope of instant wealth that has resulted in abandoned children, divorce, financial ruin, theft and suicide. I believe that Kentucky Baptists care about the quality of spiritual, moral and social life in Kentucky, however, and I hope you will act before it is too late. Please make this issue a matter of prayer. Then call or write your representatives and senators. Thank those who are standing strong in opposition and encourage those who are supporting casinos to reconsider their positions. Please also make it clear that you do not favor the issue being on the ballot in the fall. The “let the people decide” argument is a ruse to allow the big gambling corporations to pour millions of dollars into false advertising campaigns. Do you care enough to take action today and enlist others to help? Learn more about this issue online at the KBC’s Committee on Public Affairs Web site at www.kybaptist.org/publicaffairs. Dr. Mackey's column appears weekly in the Western Recorder. To subscribe to the Western Recorder, call (502) 489-3535.