Gambling: Recreation without Ethical Precept?

By HK.Lee

Taken from www.benzinga.com

What is “Gambling”? For the discussion purpose, I take gambling’s definition as “to bet money on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event.”[1] Basically, gambling has an idea of taking a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit.[2]

Nowadays, there are various gambling forms such as 4D, TOTO, and Social Gambling which considered as “softer” form of gambling or leisure activities. Meanwhile, gambling such as horse betting, table games in cruises / casinos in other countries, sports betting, jackpot machines and online gambling are falls in the category of the harder form.[3]   

We may wonder how gambling has widely reached into Asian communities today. In fact, we can easily recognize this hidden epidemic base on the finding of Global Betting and Gaming Consultants (GBGC): Asia Becomes World’s Biggest Gambling Region![4] Surprisingly, this gambling tsunami also pointing to the fact that Asians gambler is a huge market even in the America.[5] Studies showed that the majority of people whether in Asia or America are actually aware of gambling is potentially harmful, addictive and problematic for their community.[6] Despite of these cold facts, ironically, the majority of people especially Asian Chinese still perceive that gambling once in a while and not excessively are acceptable. They considered gambling to be a form of recreation or entertainment and there is nothing wrong with gambling.[7] This is where the controversy and ambiguity arises: could gambling be merely as entertainment without ethical precept?    

How Christianity Views Gambling?

Gamblers could justify their gambling as leisure activities as long as they are not in big lost or suffer from Problem Gambling[8]. However, Christianity’s view on this ‘grey area’ is not the consequences that determine the rightness or wrongness of an act but certain features in the act itself or in the rule of which the act. The end never justifies the means.

Gambling industry is seen as one of the most notorious examples of selfishness and non-ethical in the business world. Why? It is because they (the gambling corporations) are continually driven by the need to make a profit, which over-rides all other considerations. If gamblers are harmed and severely suffered in the course of doing it, that is not an issue for them unless it seriously affects the corporations’ best and only interest – making money. They assumes that it is gamblers’ own responsibility for any bad consequences yet they depict gambling is the answer and hope of life’s satisfaction.[9] Gambling beautifies its non-ethical selfishness with entertainment elements which it eventually entraps gamblers into the No-Win predicament.[10] Definitely, it is almost impossible to see a big sign board: For your own and family’s sake, don’t gambling!

Definitely, business should aims for profit. However, Christianity’s antithesis is gambling industry has the wrong desire in mind to get other’s possession. Although gambling issues is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, yet the root issue of gambling is always begins with coveting, a strong desire. One of the commandments in the Bible states, “You shall not covet (Hebrew word is khamad) your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor (Ex. 20:17).” Those possessions in ancient time is similar to the money and properties that we are having today. 

Interestingly, “the verb חָמַד (khamad) focuses not on an external act but on an internal mental activity behind the act, the motivation for it. In the Bible, the word can be used in a very good sense (Ps. 19:10; 68:16), but it has a bad connotation in contexts where the object desired is off limits. This command is aimed at curtailing the greedy desire for something belonging to a neighbor, a desire that leads to the taking of it or the attempt to take it.”[11]

With this understanding of covet, then, an enlightened perspective of gambling formed: The House (gambling corporation) has greedy desire for gamblers’ possessions while gamblers also have the same strong desire for others’ possessions. Thus, under God’s commandment, both are guilty in this case.  

Some might argue that gambling is a personal choice and there is an option of responsible gambling, however, inevitably, gambling seems eventually becomes strong bondage and addiction on those gamblers. Pathological gamblers always admit that gambling is a beautiful jail where they hardly exercise their free-will to escape but under its slavery. Thus, how can a person be sure to what extent of gambling is ‘safe’ for him? Addictive gamblers would testify that gambling is a perfect venue to promote greedy desire where their initial ‘right motive’ (of having leisure) has been gradually and subtly conformed to ‘selfish desire’ that ignores dignity and nobility of self, family, community and works. If gambling has an option of responsible gambling, why gamblers’ testimonies disproved it?

From the view of Christianity, regardless of any legal technicality, the desire and behavior of gambling, is fundamentally against God who is holy and just. For it is written in the Bible, “You shall be holy, because I am holy (I Peter 1:16).” Follow this logic and command, Christianity is fully aware that heart’s condition of man is covetous and hardly stands against the strong desire of greed and possession. In order to obey God and stay away from harmful desire, Christians choose to refrain from this activity.

Any Exceptional Case? 

How about social gambling or “softer” form of gambling that just focus on entertainment and do not desire for the wealthy? Well, it seems to be a situation that justifies individual liberty with reasonable qualifications to gambling such as if one is truly manifest self-control, is has sufficient financial income and is not influencing any weaker-determined people.

           

This is the scenario presented by Timothy Morgan for your reconsideration the affects of gambling to your next generation:

“Teens are paying for our ill-fated social experiment with legal gambling. As more teens are being drawn into the culture of chance, gambling is influencing American society in deep and unexpected ways…. The pervasive worship of Lady Luck – on riverboat casinos, televised live lottery drawings, and at tempting theme-park casinos – alters our perspective on life. The idea that ‘hard work pays off’ is now believed by only one of three people surveyed. In the 1960’s, nearly 60 percent believed in the work ethic. We can count on this attitudinal sea change to affect our youth (and our nation’s future)… Unless we address the spiritual issues underlying gambling, America’s next generation may perish, having no vision, but only a daydream.”[12]

Would you want this scenario happen in our community? In fact, gamblers are aware that their actions are conveying life message to the people around although “softer” form of gambling seem rightful. Interestingly, survey in Singapore showed that most people think it is better not to tell one’s family and friends that one gambles.[13] When they know we have gone to a casino, watching us buy lotteries or social gambling, then, our behavior had given approval. Indirectly, we may serve to set them on an undesirable path where we are not sure whether they will be able to guide their hearts from greedy desire that set on wrong goals. 

Christianity ethical conduct for this issue is well guided by: “Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds others up. Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person.” (I Cor. 10:23-24) Indeed, we must seriously consider how our behavior affects the next generation rather than focus on self-enjoyment as justified by personal freedom and right. In this context, just because I “can” do something does not mean I “should” do it. Every desire with behavior has consequence that will affect self and others as none of us live in isolated island. On this basis, I submit you to refrain from any “softer” form of gambling for the better future of our next generation since there are many good recreations that have more beneficial values than gambling.    

How About You?

The gambling issue that presented here is just the tip of the iceberg. Your valuable comments and dialogues after this reading are most welcomed here.    

1. Could gambling be merely as recreation without ethical precept?

2. What is your view towards social gambling (friendship bonding)? Why?

3. For Christians, how should the church of Jesus Christ actively engaging with gambling issues?   

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[1] “Gambling,” http://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=gambling&submit.x=66&submit.y=24 (accessed July 2, 2013).

[2] Ibid.

[3] National Council on Problem Gambling, “Report of Survey on Participation in Gambling Activities Among Singapore Residents, 2008: Perceptions of Various Gambling Forms as Leisure Activities,” Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports of Singapore, http://app.msf.gov.sg/Portals/0/Summary/research/ publications-survey-gambling08.pdf (accessed July 1, 2013).

[4] “Asia Becomes World' Biggest Gambling Region,” Global Betting and Gaming Consultants, http://www.gbgc.com/2011/06/asia-becomes-worlds-biggest-gambling-region/#!prettyPhoto (accessed July 1, 2013). GBGC is an independent, specialist gambling consultancy firm dedicated to providing gambling data, research, industry trends, and advice to the international gambling industry. Asia overtook Europe to become the world' largest gambling region in 2010. Asian gambling revenues surged by 20% in 2010 to US$ 122 billion , whilst revenues from all gambling activities in Europe fell by 3% to US$ 114 billion according to Global Betting and Gaming Consultants' (GBGC) sixth edition of its comprehensive Global Gambling Report - Betting on Regulation.

[5] John M. Glionna, “Gambling Seen as No-Win Situation for Some Asians” under “Gambling, Addiction, and Asian Culture,” Asian-Nation Blog, http://www.asian-nation.org/gambling.shtml (accessed July 2, 2013). In John’s article, gambling has become America's adult pastime of choice. Each year, more money is spent in the nation's $75-billion gaming industry than on movies, concerts, sporting events and amusement parks combined.

[6] Problem of gambling is the same issue of these two sources. John M. Glionna, “Gambling Seen as No-Win Situation for Some Asians” under “Gambling, Addiction, and Asian Culture,” Asian-Nation Blog, http://www. asian-nation.org /gambling.shtml (accessed July 2, 2013). The other source is from National Council on Problem Gambling, “Report of Survey on Participation in Gambling Activities Among Singapore Residents, 2011,” Ministry of social and Family Development of Singapore http://app.msf.gov.sg/ResearchRoom/ResearchStatistics/SurveyonGambling ParticipationAmongSpore2011.aspx (accessed July 2, 2013).  

[7] National Council on Problem Gambling, “Survey on the Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Gambling Issues,”   http://app.msf.gov.sg/Portals/0/Summary/research/Media_Release_on_2007_PE_Survey_Final_.pdf  (accessed July 2, 2013).

[8] National Council on Problem Gambling, “Report of Survey on Participation in Gambling Activities Among Singapore Residents, 2008: Probable Problem and Pathological Gambling Screening Criteria,” Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports of Singapore, http://app.msf.gov.sg/Portals/0/Summary/research/ publications-survey-gambling08.pdf (accessed July 1, 2013). It provides diagnostic criteria for problem and pathological gambling.

[9] The perspective is derived from one of the case study. Louis P. Pojman and James Fieser, Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong, 7th ed. (Wadsworth: Cengage Learning, 2012), 81-82.

[10] “How Gambling Really Works,” Addiction Foundation of Manitoba, http://getgamblingfacts.ca/how-gambling-really-works/ (accessed July 2, 2013). Learning about these concepts will help gamblers understand why they usually spend more than they win.

[11] This commentary of the word covet (khamad) is taken from NET Bible Study Environment, “covet,” https://net.bible.org /#!bible/Exodus+20:4 (accessed July 2, 2013).

[12] Timothy Morgan, “The Invisible Addiction,” Christianity Today, April 8, 1996, 12.

[13] National Council on Problem Gambling, “Survey on Perceptions and Attitudes towards Gambling in Singapore, 2007: Specific Beliefs About Gambling,” http://app.msf.gov.sg/Portals/0/Summary/research/Media Release_on_2007_PE_Survey_Final_.pdf (accessed July 2, 2013).

ALLOW INNOCENT BABY TO SEE GOD’S AWESOME CREATION- by Milan Magar

In this pluralistic society, we used to hear about Abortion frequently. Today different groups have their own agenda on this issue. Abortion has been highlighted in the newspaper or the discussion on TV channels or the internet. Some feminist argues that government should pass the bill for the abortion on the behalf of mother’s benefit. Scientist says that fetus isn’t a person until implantation or until when it first breaths. They reject that human life does not begin at the conception. It can be the clean chit for some people to choose abortion.[1]They failed to see the life and the futuristic hope of the innocent living being that is killed inside the womb. It makes human as barbarian of this planet.

I argue that abortion should not be practice in any post – modern societies. It is wrong ethically to promote and to permit the woman to choose abortion. It is not the ultimate option for woman to escape from their sarcastic problems. Medically, abortion does not bring good health for woman too.  Gynecologist says that abortion can produce high risk of uterus cancer and barren womb in the future. So, it has vice versa side effects for the woman. Therefore, it is not good to abort the child.

However, Bible says that all male and female are created in the image of God (Gen.1:27). Human personhood in not measured by age, stage of development, or mental, Physical, or social Skills (Exo. 4:11). Jesus became a human being at the point of conception. Even Dr. Alfred M. Bongioanni, Professor of obstetrics once said; “I have learned from my earliest medical education that human life beings at the time of conception. He said that human life is present throughout sequence from conception to adulthood, and therefore if any termination in that point is also termination of human life. [2]  The Old Testament reminds us that God is giver of the life (Zech.12:1) and through his power every fetus development occurs (Psalm 139:13; Job 10:8-12) and all every souls belongs to creator God (Gen4: 15). It shows that no one has right to take life it its own initiative or the obligations. Created beings are not to cause the death of the innocent and guiltless unborn personhood. Therefore, in the Ten Commandments it says “thou shall not kill”. God is love and we are called to love each other. As a Christian it is our duty to be faithful and obedience to walk in the path of righteousness and holiness. In concluding this blog, I would encourage people not to be the part of killing innocent child through abortion. Let them see God’s awesome creation.

1)      What is your response to abortion from the ethical perspective?

2)      If you are a Christian and discovered that your neighbor is going to do abortion, then what will be your response and responsibility for her?

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[1]  Randy Alcorn, Pro Life Answers to Pro Choice Arguments (Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2000) 86.

[2]  Ibid; 369.

STEM CELL PROVED TO CURE DISEASES Doing Evil for Good Intent?

STEM CELL PROVED TO CURE DISEASES

Doing Evil for Good Intent?

By: Gerry Guerrero

Human Stem cells were confirmed of its effectiveness to cure diseases. There are distinct source of stem cells, the non embryonic (“adult”) stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Curing some incurable diseases wherein people who have terminal diseases got treated. But, stem cell treatment became controversial because of the use of embryonic stem cells which engage the destruction of human life. Embryonic stem cells came from an aborted fetus. It’s not strange to us that abortion is considered as killing an innocent human life.

Secular humanist’s believes that “God is not sovereign over life- humankind is.” They believe that individual has the right to live and to die. They support life but also persisting that they have the right to end their own lives. Thus, abortion also is regarded a right, base on the free will of the mother. If we look at the perspective of the secular humanist regarding with the embryonic stem cells which involves abortion, it means that they function in the principle of “the ends justifies the means.” For them, it is not morally wrong to abort a fetus where they got embryonic stem cells to use to treat terminal diseases.

But what the Bible tells about who is sovereign over life? The Bible declared, God is sovereign over our own life. God said to Moses, “I put to death and I bring to life (Deut. 32:39). The Bible is clearly saying that, individuals don’t have any rights to take any life because we don’t create life, God is the one who gave life and only Him has all the rights over individual’s lives.

A testimony of a 2 ½ year old girl who undergone a stem cell treatment and was life extended. Using plastic fibers and human cells, doctors have built and implanted a windpipe— the youngest person ever to receive a bioengineered organ.

Hannah, who was born without a trachea, no longer needs a tube to breathe, and after the surgery she could put her lips together for the first time. Dr. Philipp Jungebluth, left, and Dr. Paolo Macchiarini inspected a neotrachea seeded with stem cells. The implant is designed to reduce the risk of rejection.

The goal of regenerative medicine, or tissue engineering, is to create or regrow tissues and organs to ease transplant shortages or treat conditions that do not have an effective cure. After years of scant progress, tissue engineers have begun to make advances as they have gained a better understanding of the role that stem cells — basic cells that can become tissue-specific ones — play in signaling the body to grow and repair itself.

To cure diseases to extend life is a good intention; it is dignified. That is why science pursuits to know the means for curing diseases. The question is, does the means morally right or wrong for the ends? Is it morally reasonable to take an innocent life to extend life?

Dear Friends, I’m inviting you to share your ideas on this issue. Thank you!

Bibliography

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/science/groundbreaking-surgery-for-girl-born-without-windpipe.html

Geisler, Norman L. Christian Ethics: Contemporary Issues and Options. Grand Rapids, MI:

Baker Academic, 2010.

Gushee, David P. and Glen H. Stasses. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary

Context. Downers Groove, ILL: IVP, 2003.

Totalitarian Governments

    

By Henry

Myanmar Military Government

 

Myanmar, known as “The Golden Land”, once the richest nation in South East Asia but now one of the poorest countries, used to be under the brutal ruling junta from 1962- until 2010. The country has been transforming into a democratic state after the 2010 election in spite of the ruling party is still controlled by the former military officers, who are now calling themselves a civilian government party. [1]

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of independent’s father General Aung San, National League for Democracy leader, won more than 80% of the seats in Parliament in 1990 elections. However, themilitary government did not accept the election’s results and kept her under house arrest for almost 20 years. The totalitarian government

violated human rights on minority groups and others political cases in different ways that led Myanmar people’s ways of lives into misery, unsafe and scary situation. Millions of ethnic people groups fled into the neighbors’ countries as refugees to avoid the ruling junta’s political and judicial punishment and force labor.  

The United States of America, the European

Commission and the United Nations have all imposed sanctions against Myanmar though different mechanisms with the purpose of isolating the military regime in international community. The sanctions include an arms embargo, a ban on the travel of military officers, as well as their families and associates, restrictions on foreign investment, and the freezing of assets. [2]

The impact of the economic sanctions is controversial as restrictions in trade result in severe hardship which must be burdened by ordinary people rather than the targeted military regime and their associates. The most affected people were the basic female workers in the garment industry when foreign investment withdrew from the country. After sanctions were imposed by foreign powers, they became jobless and one opportunity was welcome to them, the sex industry.

Another impact of the sanctions has been the decline of the tourism industry. Many countries forbid their citizens to travel to Myanmar or to invest in the tourist sector as they believe most businesses are directly linked to the military government and their relatives. As a consequence, transportation workers, tourist guides, Myanmar traditional craft businesses, and the hotel industry have all been disenfranchised. Similarly, young entrepreneurs and educated people have had to give up their connections with the foreign investment and

international trade system. As a result, many have left their homes and communities to live and work abroad. [3] Millions of Myanmar people are spreading throughout all over the world to get the better jobs and support their families. Some are treated as a slave and other do not get the proper salaries in spite of they work hard from morning to until night. Who are responsible to protect the misery lives of these people and offer the better jobs in their own comfort zone and mother land with peace and comfortable lives?

                            The Biblical Point of View on the Government

Submission to the Authorities

Let’s see what the Bible says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do who will bring judgment on themselves (Romans 13:1-2)”.

            God, the supreme Sovereign, has ordained that there should be governing authorities. Every believer is to be subject to these various authorities, even if these authorities are evil as Nero (A.D.54-68), the emperor of Rome who cruelly persecuted Christians. When Paul wrote this letter, Hero was in power. Yet Paul exhorted the Roman believers to submit to Nero’s authority, because that authority was ordained by God Himself. [4]

To be considered:

1.      How would you respond Paul’s statement to submit yourselves to the governing authorities whether your government is good or bad?

2.      How would you figure out and correct in the biblical ways the government that violated human rights in these days?

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[1] Phyu Kyi Khaing, “Peace and conflict monitor, Special Report II”, [Myanmar: Cause for cautious optimism] http://www.monitor.upeace.org/innerpg.cfm?id_article=879, [Accessed June 30, 2013]

[2] Phyu Kyi Khaing, “Peace and conflict monitor, Special Report II”, [Myanmar: Cause for cautious optimism]

[3] Ibid.

[4] Earl D. Radmacher, Th.D., Ronald B. Allen, Th.D., H, Wayne House, Th.D., J.D., Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible: New King James Version (A Division of Thomas Nelsons Publishers, 1997). 

♥ Pretty Woman ♥

by Zoeyey

I watched “Pretty Woman” a 1990 movie that won Julia Roberts a Golden Globe award in portrayal of a prostitute. She ran away from home and was ashamed to go back that made her a prostitute to support herself. And from being a prostitute she unexpectedly met a client that would made her world upside down, as he became her true love.

This may be a one-of-a- kind story but many prostitutes are living in this kind of thinking. According to urban dictionary, prostitutes are “to offer indiscriminately for sexual intercourse especially for money”. The movie depicts the real stories of women who choose to live as sex workers. They have their own reasons but most primary it would be for money. They need money to support their family, for their own tuition fees, have an extravagant lifestyle, or even support their drug addiction. Some became prostitute as a result of sexual abuse during childhood, others have sexual curiosity, or for some women are forced to do it, just like in the case of white slavery or human trafficking.

Right now, in the Philippines there is news that breaks my heart and asked the question why would the government official men prostituting their fellow citizens by offering a “sex-for-flight” scheme to overseas Filipino women in Middle East. They are the one who supposed to help these women, instead they made it worst. The complaint of sexual harassment and alleged pimping to other foreigners is already in an ongoing investigation.

The New York Times reported about the initial investigation that has a lot more than “sex for flights” it was said by Mr. Bello, a congressman that “They were running a prostitution ring out of Philippine embassies in Kuwait and Oman. The information was shocking.” In detailed about pimping issue,

            The congressman also reported that a senior Filipino labor official in

             Jordan was prostituting Filipino women for $1,000 per night. The  

            investigation found another labor official in Kuwait who is accused of

            running a similar operation using Filipino workers seeking shelter.

This issue happened with the overseas Filipino women that were force into prostitution. These are only few of the stories that women are force to prostitution. This became a big business to some.

According to the report from United Nations that "Sex work as well as business engaged in sex are illegal under Philippine laws, with penalties up to 30 days imprisonment for first offense and up to six months imprisonment for repeat offenders.” They said that Philippines and other Asian countries should decriminalized prostitution that will protect the sex-workers in their rights and control health issues like HIV. 

In the Bible prostitution was mentioned, and usually in the Old Testament it is used as a representation of God’s people unfaithfulness. In Hebrews 13:4 “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (ESV). God intended sex within marriage, with love and intimacy between a man and a woman. We are to ran away from any sexual immorality that ruins our own body. Paul says in 1 Corinthians  6:18 “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body” (NIV).  Engaging in sexual act outside marriage and other than the spouse degrades oneself. But Jesus’ action made a difference in an adulterous woman (John 8: 3-11). She had a new view of herself and did not continue to ruin her body.   

The stories above are two different realities in prostitution, where one is voluntarily choosing it the other is force to do it. Legalization is a government’s way to protect prostitutes and control the spread of any sexually transmitted infections. For a long time many countries have legalized prostitution and Philippines might consider it as well as United Nations suggesting it. 

Does legalization really protects the prostitutes at all means whether they are voluntary or forced to do it? Do the legalization of prostitution really protects the whole being of every prostitutes? If not through legalization, what are we gonna do about this growing numbers of sex workers?

References

1. The Philippine Star, “Labor official in ‘sex-for-flight’ scheme may face accusers” by Mayen Jaymalin, 1 July 2013.

2. The New York Times, “Philippines Investigates Prostitution Ring Charges” by Floyd Whaley, 24 June 2013.

3. Yahoo News Philippines, “Sex work and the Law and the Pacifics” (http://ph.news.yahoo.com/legalize-prostitution--un-urges-ph.html)

'Til Death Do Us Part

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by Beatrice Victoria Ang

In the beginning, God established a covenant between man and woman: marriage. People enter into contracts with one another all the time—paying rent, enrolling in institutions, hiring services—but all these are human inventions. None of them hold the distinction of being personally ordained by God, and certainly not during the infancy of creation.

Marriage has that distinction, but you don’t see it nowadays. With annulments and divorces happening left and right, marriage has been reduced to a piece of paper.

But that piece of paper is actually a symbol, isn’t it? If you don’t want to pay for your dinner, you can’t just tear the receipt and expect you won’t be served a lawsuit on a platter. How much more is there a Higher Witness to your marriage than your certificate.

Christ is clear, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate (Matt.19:6).”

Why, then, did Moses permit divorce? Because, Jesus says, your hearts were hard (Matt. 19:7-8). Humanity took the ideal of marriage—one man, one woman, joined together all their lives—and sullied it with polygamy, cruelty, and fornication. It grew worse. At the time of Moses, you could only give your wife a certificate of divorce and send her away if you found something indecent about her (עֶרְוַת דָּבָר). No one even knows what that phrase really means anymore—you know why?[1] Because men were soon divorcing their wives for any and every reason.[2] What happened? Well, with every generation, people got farther and farther from God’s ideal for marriage because they got farther and farther away from God.

Jesus had to set them right. It was not this way from the beginning (v.9). Divorce should not be the norm.

Marriage is no trifling matter. For this reason, differences in personalities, falling out of love, interfering in-laws, unexciting sex life, barrenness, mid-life crisis, inexplicable unhappiness, the desire to be single and free— these are hardly things worth separating over. Husband and wife must stay committed even as they work through their problems, for better or worse, for all their days on earth. A man who stays with an invalid wife all her life though she can give nothing back, for instance, is praiseworthy indeed for keeping his covenant of love.  

Yet, in cases where there is threat to life, marital unfaithfulness, or abuse, it seems divorce is the only way out. Does that make divorce a permissible last resort? Many would say so, if they do not recommend permanent separation at least. Among the Gospel writers, Matthew brings up marital unfaithfulness as grounds for divorce but does not elaborate. It would be equally fruitless to bring in Paul’s (well, not his, but the Lord’s) instructions in 1 Corinthians 7, since it is but a reiteration of the principle that wives and husbands should not separate, which we have already established. They do not deal with exceptions, but common sense tells us there has to be exceptions. I appeal to the character of God.

If we think of the character of God and consider His hatred for murder, especially the mutilation of the imago dei, and His compassion for the weak, then the protection of one’s own life and well being (not to mention of the children’s) must take precedence over upholding the marriage covenant. In these circumstances, we allow for divorce. What about remarriage?

Here, the Bible seems to make no exceptions. So long as the spouse is alive, a divorced person who remarries is guilty of adultery. Jesus says so in the three Gospels that mention the subject of remarriage (Matt. 19:11; 5:32; Mk. 10:10; Lk. 16:18). Paul affirms it (Rom. 7:3).

But the human heart cries out that this is no longer a question of right or wrong. The real question is: if I get divorced and I remarry, would God forgive me? The petition for forgiveness is an acknowledgement that they know in their hearts they’ve fallen short of God’s ideal for marriage; they know they’ve made a mistake—whether in marrying rashly in the first place or in not fighting for that marriage when the going got tough. But they’re longing for a second chance at happiness—and they’re wondering if God would begrudge them that.

What if my wife’s unfaithfulness has caused her to contract a life-long disease? I cannot reconcile with her. She has caused me to suffer enough—can’t I go find my happiness with another, more worthy partner? What if my husband never changes for the better? How can I wait for a scoundrel all my life?

God forgave even adulterers (Jn. 8:1-11). If you choose to remarry, God would forgive you for that. But that’s just it with us humans, isn’t it? We like His forgiveness—we don’t care about honoring Him.

So here are my last words on this topic (for now)—for men and women both:

Oppressed one, it is up to you. If you choose to separate from your spouse, you are justified. If you choose to remarry, you are forgiven. But if you choose to remain as you are (separated but unmarried), then we are with you in your desire to honor God.

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[1] Though I am not convinced of his interpretation, Anthony Garrett’s article provides a helpful background for the problem of understanding this phrase, "A New Understanding of the Divorce and Remarriage Legislation in Deuteronomy 24:1-4," Jewish Bible Quarterly 39, no. 4 (October 1, 2011): 245-250, ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed July 1, 2013).

[2] This was no doubt debated during Jesus’s day, for the Pharisees used it to test him. For a compelling discussion on how Jews may have viewed divorce during the time of Jesus based on literary analysis of the gospel accounts, extrabiblical accounts, and the Dead Sea scrolls, see C D. Elledge, "‘From the Beginning It Was Not So...’: Jesus, Divorce, and Remarriage in Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls," Perspectives In Religious Studies 37, no. 4 (December 1, 2010): 371-389, ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed July 1, 2013).

GIFT vs BRIBE

by Jugal Gogoi

Giving “gifts” is one of the noblest deeds a person can ever do on this earth; and receiving gifts is one of the greatest joys that a human being can ever experiences. However giving or receiving “bribe” (which is another form of “gift”) could be the worst moral/ethical thing for us to do. WHY??? Bribery has become very important issue in the government as well as business arena.

In most of the cases, it is almost impossible to draw a line between a “gift” and a “bribe” because according to Wikipedia “Bribery is an act of giving money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient.” [1] Which means, a “gift” is something we give without expecting any return; where as a “bribe” is something we give with a motive to influence the receiver. Now, the toughest question is—how can we determine the motive of a giver? Most of the times, even the so called “gifts” are given with some type of expectations or motives. Can we label them as “bribes?”

We see in quite a number of places, in the Bible, enough to prove to us that God hates and forbids bribery—

Exodus 23:8 And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.

Proverbs 15:27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.

Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

Even Jesus had to deal with bribery throughout his live and even after his death—

Matthew 26:15 And said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew 28:12-15 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

I believe that no matter what degree it is, a bribe is a bribe, according to the Bible and according to the human moral standards. And I totally stand against it. But here are some thoughts to ponder:

We know that some “bribes,” especially those that are given in the government or business level, are quite obviously bribes (its easy to categorize them). But how about those that we deal with, in our day to day lives? What if you are receiving a gift from your friend and he/she expects some sort of a return from you? 

Just for example, suppose you are trying to get your property  legal documents done in government office and the officer happens to be your friend. Now, you know very well that in order for your friend to do that job he needs spend some amount of money, i.e. in travel, in fooding-lodging, in meeting people, and other petty expenses. You definitely don't want your friend to spend for those expenses because he is already doing you enough favor by making your legal documents. Will it be wrong to give him a lump sum amount of money for him to do the job so he doesn't have to spend the expenses from his pocket? I know most of us will consider that as a price paid and not as a "bribe." But is that what it is? And there are many similar scenarios like this. Are they not equally ethical issues too? Do they not affect our ethics as well? Is every gift we give or receive a bribe? 

Dear friends, I would really appreciate your valuable comments. Thank you!

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[1] Wikipedia, “Bribery,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bribery, (accessed July 1, 2013)

Abuse of Women: Sex for Flight Deal

by Randolf Galon

Filipina Overseas Foreign Workers asked for sex 
in exchange of ticket flight back to Philippines

Figure 1. Photo grabbed from www.abs-cbnnews.com Recent news and speculations have been in the media circulation these days, exposing allegedly what was unlikely happening to OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) who are being sheltered in local embassy offices in countries such as Saudi Arabia in particular. These unlikely activities allegedly done especially by Filipino embassy officers in particular are now being investigated by the Filipino government officers sent in order to investigate these particular incidents.

John Leonard Montenora, coordinator of a social action group called Migrante Middle East and North Africa, posted this article in the opinion section website of Philippine Daily Inquirer, a national daily newspaper in the Philippines.     

As told by victims to Migrante officers in Saudi Arabia, the “sex-for-flight” scheme allegedly being employed by some embassy and labor officials usually operates like this:

1.An embassy or labor official asks a runaway or distressed overseas Filipino worker at the Bahay Kalinga or Filipino Workers Resource Center if she has money to pay for her own return airplane ticket and the fines imposed on her for being an absconder, and to reimburse her sponsor-employer the cost of her deployment.

        2. Seven out of 10 OFWs in the center, as expected, have no money and are, in fact, in dire need of help from the officials and the government. The official, who is reportedly a member of a syndicate operating inside the Philippine Embassy/labor offices in the Middle East, discreetly talks to a penniless OFW to offer an “indecent proposal” which includes cash payment in return.

      3.  At night time, the OFW is fetched by either the driver or any local-hire staff of the embassy and labor officials, the ring leaders behind the sex-for-flight modus operandi.

      4. Based on information from reliable sources, the amount given to sex-for-flight victims ranges from 500 rials to 1,000 rials. Some very desperate OFWs accept as low as 100 rials to 300 rials[2].

Abuse against Women.

Any form of abuse, verbal, physical, emotional and sexual abuse against a person especially women is indeed an assault to humanity. It’s a sad reality that even some societies today still views women as weaker gender. It’s manifested in our society – in the government, in the business, education and even the family in particular.       

What the Bible says. 

Paul, in his letter to Timothy reminded him on how to treat women, both young and old in the church. In 1 Timothy 5: 1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. (NIV) Paul in these verses reminds Timothy on how to treat women in the church especially since he was the leader of the church. 

Also, in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he acknowledged the contribution given by his two women co-workers in the Lord. Philippians 4 “2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.” (NIV)

In 1Peter3:7, Peter talks about how women must be treated in the household. “7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (NIV)

My take.

I believe that women should be treated with respect and dignity as a man’s companion for life. They too were created as image bearers of God himself. God created them with will, emotions and intellect to know God and to worship Him. To love God, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves must motivate us to show and express our love and respect to women, as one of God’s special creation.

What is your take?

1. What is your comment regarding this issue?
2. How does this topic help you?
Feel free to post your comments. Thanks for dropping by.    

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[1] Published on ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis,Features (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com) accesed June 30, 2013.

[2] http://opinion.inquirer.net/55593/a-glimpse-of-a-sex-for-flight-deal accessed June 30, 2013.