July 12 1999

ARTICLE TOOLS

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Who's Friendly to Elders?
Warning: If you are a senior citizen, the gambling industry is tar get ing you. ("Gambling Away the Golden Years," May 24). Too bad many of today's churches can't be accused similarly. In stead, "up-to-date" churches are be coming increasingly inhospitable to older people as they target those younger. They are eliminating much that is meaningful, familiar, and loved by older people—hymnals, choirs, organs, and so on. Meanwhile, the casinos are concentrating on being elder friendly (and parting elders from their money in the process).

Eulea Tharp
Blue Springs, Miss.

* Casting social problems as moral issues requires more than pontificating. The former requires changes in public policy; the latter must start with theological reflection. One would think that Mr. Kennedy could come up with even one Scripture reference to support his views.

Dr. Charles C. Moody
Phoenix, Ariz.

Readers wanting CT's theological argument against gambling should consult "Feeding the Monster Called More," by David Neff and Thomas Giles (CT, Nov. 25, 1991, p. 18).
—Eds.

The reported inaction of Christian churches to the incredible spread of legalized gambling is appalling. I am a highly satisfied resident of John Knox Village in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and while I personally consider facilitated trips to casinos unfortunate and undesirable, I must take issue with Michael Maudlin's reference ("Inside CT") about John Knox Village running buses to casinos "three times weekly." The number is more like two buses monthly. The bus rides are neither free nor "run" by the village. With approximately 1,500 independent residents, the situation is not as shocking as implied in CT.

Harriet A. Buttry
Lee's Summit, Miss.

God's ...