Synod Resolution on the People’s Postcode Lottery
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, met on Wednesday 20 May 2009 at Inverness, resolves to warn our people against the sin of gambling in all its forms as presently encouraged and promoted in this country. In particular, the Synod wishes to draw the attention of the people of the Church and nation in Scotland to the “People’s Postcode Lottery” launched in January 2008 and advertised in as “Scotland’s own charity lottery”. This lottery has an English version which was launched in 2005.
Similar to the National Lottery, this scheme encourages contributors to buy weekly tickets, costing £2 and paid by direct debit from their bank account. It is shared among residents of randomly-picked postcodes in Scotland. Subscribing to this gambling service is portrayed as an act of charity, and is widely advertised as such in newsletters and television promotions. Several leading Scottish charities receive hundreds of thousands of pounds from this source. The Synod deeply regrets the endorsement of this gambling service by the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond MSP, who praised the “wonderful achievement” of the organisers. We reject his assertion that others should “take inspiration from those working tirelessly for the People’s Postcode Lottery”.
The Synod reminds the people of Scotland that gambling is sinful and is not a proper motive to the charity which the Bible recommends. While the Synod heartily encourages giving of our substance and wealth to worthy charitable causes and re-affirms the obligation on Christians to “do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again” (Luke 6:35), it strongly rejects as dishonouring to God this and all other forms of charity by lottery. The Synod further warns our rulers of the corrosive nature of gambling on the morality which ought to motivate true charity.
Meetings of Presbytery (DV)
Northern: At Dingwall, on Tuesday, February 23, at 2 pm.
Southern: At Glasgow, on Wednesday, February 17, at 4.30 pm.
Western: At Lochcarron, on Tuesday, March 23, at 1 pm.
Australia & New Zealand: At Auckland, on Friday, January 29 at 2.30 pm.