Fr. Dwight Longenecker on Casinos as the New Cathedrals

"I first went to a casino when I was visiting Detroit on a speaking engagement. A guy named Bob was my host. He said, 'Where do you want to go for lunch Father?'

"'Someplace local.'

"So Bob took me to the casino. On the way over I said, 'Bob. I have a confession to make. . . . I've never been to a casino before.' 

". . . I told Catholic Bob about my evangelical upbringing and how we didn't go to movies, smoke, drink or even play cards. We sure didn't go to casinos.

So we went to the casino and had lunch and Bob taught me how to play craps.

"I've thought a lot about casinos and gambling since then, and it seems to me on the one hand, gambling is just a bit of fun. It's a game and the money involved adds some risk and adventure to the game.

"But all of us know that for a huge number of people its much more than a game. It's an addiction and I reckon it's also a false religion'"

In a recent commentary, Father Dwight Longenecker (parish priest at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Greenville, SC) reflected on God's Divine Providence, gambling, and walking by faith (including stepping out and following the Master on the adventure of faith).

To access Fr. Longenecker's complete post, please visit:

Fr. Dwight Longenecker: Casinos: the New Cathedrals
Background information:
Dwight Longenecker - Catholic priest and author