By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
THE government “should regulate the numbers industry to bring it under taxation and control” former New Covenant Baptist Church Bishop Simeon Hall reiterated yesterday.
Despite claims by opponents of legalised gaming that the move would hike up crime in the country, Bishop Hall insisted that violent acts stand the same chance of increase with a unanimous ‘no’ vote.
His comments came in response to the widespread criticism of his public support of the Vote Yes Campaign on Saturday night.
The campaign has held several events in the past weeks and intends to continue in the lead-up to the January 28 referendum.
“The reality,” Bishop Hall said, “is that almost half the Bahamian population engages in this practice. Of course, its popularity does not make it right, but it’s time for us, as progressive citizens, to move forward and regulate this practice.
“Many who have openly criticised me seem to suggest that my support for the referendum is the promotion of gambling. No one needs to promote this industry – it is here, and we should regulate it.
“I take strong exception to those who say because I say I will vote yes I have done something wrong – sinful or immoral.
“The government of our Bahamas has the right to govern all the Bahamians – Christian and non-Christian – and every Bahamian has the right to say yes or no on this issue.”
Since going public with a pro-gambling position, the Bishop also claimed that other prominent men of the cloth have “damned me and my family to destruction and hell”.
While both “no” and “yes” campaigners have said they intend to educate the electorate, Bishop Hall is now calling for a national debate to help those
who maybe undecided arrive at healthy conclusion.
“Some persons and pastors have sought to approach this issue from a purely moral or Biblical perspective, indeed as we all should. How can someone seeking to make a position on moral or biblical grounds demonise and denigrate other believers who hold a different position?
“This is laughable and persons who were apt to vote no come January 28 are now saying they will vote yes because they can see the fallacy in some of the no vote proponents.”
He called on members of both “vote yes” and “vote no” camps to allow Bahamians the opportunity to come to their own conclusions.
Comments
dacy 11 years, 3 months ago
SMT @ SBH HOPEFULLY IT WAS MORE THAN 30 PIECES OF SILVER THIS TIME....ONE MINUTE YOU ARE AN ABASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE NEXT YOU ARE THE HIRED HAND OF THE NUMBER MEN...YOU CAN NOT SERVE TWO MASTER, EITHER YOU WILL LOVE ONE AND HATE THE OTHER, YOU CAN NOT SERVE GOD AND MANNON.
SIMEON B HALL THAT GOES FOR YOU TOO WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE? THE BISHOP WHO HELP BRING DOWN THE CHURCH IN THE BAHAMAS?
SHAMEFUL!
by dacy
spoitier 11 years, 3 months ago
As much I disagree with gambling, it makes no sense for the numbers man to be making money of the citizens and the government don't get a cut out of it. So either get stiff on stopping it or legalize it.
Ironvelvet 11 years, 3 months ago
Honestly, I'm on the fence with the vote. However, I cannot follow the argument that Bishop Hall is using, 'that since over 50% of the population is gambling illegally that we should then legalize it.' Well Over 50% of the population is stealing, killing people, molesting children, etc., the popularity of sin doesn't make it right. I would have assumed that a man of the cloth would know that.
As Benedict XVI (current Catholic Pope) said when he was made Pope (paraphrasing), we cannot ascribe to a religion simply because it suits the lifestyle that WE have chosen. We must choose a religion and change our lives to suit it that is, God.
markstoicovic 10 years, 10 months ago
they should do this thing, but I am not sure if it is even possible! I will try to read more about this subject on this http://www.garcinia-cambogia-extract....">website
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