Dear Editor,
It is appalling to see the dramatic spate of protest against casino gambling by groups of particular religious persuasions and non-religious groups.
Suddenly morality is being championed by individuals who were nowhere to be seen when the spate of violence shook the East Coast, targeting Indian Guyanese. But, suddenly we find the Church, in particular, protesting about the criminal implications of casino gambling. When marauding bandits were brutalizing fellow hapless Guyanese victims did the church even at a minimum sign any petition to stop the violence? Did the Church join other groups such as ROAR, GIHA, a few Hindu and Muslim groups, and strangely even the PPP, in protest? Did they conduct any protest by themselves against this lawlessness? The Church has no moral stature to pronounce on any ills of casino gambling, as we have seen these ills only as recently as the 2002 crime spree, and they did virtually nothing to campaign against them.
We now see a few other traditional bandwagon organizations like the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and WPA fringe groups joining in the fray on this issue. These were the very ‘bandwagoners’ who were also sleepers during the 2002 crime spree. Instead these groups were ‘up in arms’ against the state for police brutality in the height of the crime spree.
Come February 23rd we will have the annual social eyesore of vulgarity on show, Mashramani time! I do not remember the church voicing its vociferous opposition to any of the obscenities that result from this annual wine down. But, at the centre of the casino debate, the church is trying to convince this nation that it opposes an investment that it feels contributes to depravity. Did these churches spring up in the last year, and wish to be noticed? I do not understand the need for these protests only now!
These Christian churches do not understand the maxim of wealth creation.
Charities are a different ball game altogether, they obtain donations to ply their trades. The risks taken by investors such as Buddy’s Hotel and numerous other service providers for Cricket World Cup are tremendous given the history of our political climate and the instability that Guyana has been not so long ago associated with. The underwriting of these investments must be secured, not by all means necessary, but by legitimate interests. Casino gambling is one such legitimate business. Despite some of the ills with which casinos may have been more popularly associated, the church should have better spent its time assisting the government, sharing meaningful consultations on suggestions and solutions for possible safeguards that should be looked at in monitoring these establishments.
Instead, the church has taken an anti-business stance. We no longer live in a primitive environment.
In summary, Christian churches must be careful as they are going down a slippery slope, and in as much as they may want to argue that they have good points of view, the racial implications abound. The owner of the intended business place for casino gambling is of the same ethnic origin as those who were the victims of the 2002 crime spree! While the major participants of Mash-ramani celebrations are of another ethnic origin. Not having a personal interest in casino gambling, as my frugality is intact, I am beginning to conclude that the statements of the Minister within the Ministry of Education about casino gambling and the church’s double standard have substantial merit.
Yours faithfully,
Ramesh Persaud
