Is it a sin to play poker (for real money)? - Page 4 - Religion, God, and Theology

Believe it or not, God rigs poker. He knew all things, thought, everything, right when He Created.

The dealer has the free will to shuffle the deck, but God controls the outcome of the shuffle. Online, the way they have it, there are so many ways God can manipulate the deck.

I don't know how to respond to this... it's just so hilarious.

How do you explain an atheist like myself winning a substantial amount of money playing online poker? Let me guess: THE DEVIL!!!!!

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05-22-2010 , 04:35 AM

#77

Arouet

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,433

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunth0807

I gave a couple options for how this would be done: how do you think its done?

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05-22-2010 , 05:13 AM

#78

Funology

adept

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 898

If someone loses their life's savings in one hand and end up committing suicide, did god kill them?

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05-22-2010 , 12:52 PM

#79

batair

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 16,802

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megenoita

A close pastor to me argued that he felt I shouldn't play poker. He is in his 60's and very wise. He's extremely devoted to the Bible as literally true. He's been a pastor for over 30 years, I believe. He made it clear to me that he felt poker wasn't good because it could contribute to degen gamblers. He said he wanted to be clear that it wasn't sin, but he feels it's not good for at least that reason.

I don't think it would be loving to take a drunk's money. Whether it's outright sin is up for debate, but my conscience wouldn't let me. I tend to think of online poker players I play as pretty competent. The days of Party Poker when guys were just giving their money away are over. IF I were still in that era, or went to a casino where I was against someone drunk, I'd be very wary of playing. But honestly if all 5 guys at my table aren't competent, usually 4 are and the one who's not is not a quick bleeder. Maybe I am bad at table selection.

One way to think about it. If you owned a liquor store, is it sin to sell whiskey? No. Is it unloving or unkind to sell it to a known drunk as opposed to refusing and trying to help him? I'd say so, but there is still a measure of discernment involved. These things are not explicit in the Scriptures but take wisdom and situational considerations to make a good decision.

In short, where the Bible isn't explicit it takes discernment, but I think if your OP assumes the Christian poker player knows someone is a degen, you have a valid argument that should be considered by anyone who calls himself a Christian. For me, if I knew of this degen, I'd be very convicted to stop playing. My issue is, I can't remember the last time I felt this was possible as I only play online, and only play 6 max NLHE which is pretty much the game with the most competent players in any form of poker these days.

If you play poker online you have and will take money from drunks, degens and people who need their money for other things.

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05-22-2010 , 12:56 PM

#80

gmcarroll33

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Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,571

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunth0807

Okay, i am not going to respond to most of your hate filled post.

Mainly the point was, if God controls the outcome of all things, then how could Jerry Yang win the WSOP in His name if God did not want people to play poker at all.

You gotta be kidding me

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05-22-2010 , 12:59 PM

#81

Gunth0807

Wears Hoodies in Pizza Joints

Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9,249

Quote:

Originally Posted by batair

If you play poker online you have and will take money from drunks, degens and people who need their money for other things.

If they need the money for other things, they would not be playing online poker with it.

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05-22-2010 , 01:05 PM

#82

batair

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 16,802

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunth0807

If they need the money for other things, they would not be playing online poker.

Yes that make perfect sense as degens never gamble with money they dont need for their family's or other things. My mistake.

Gunth i have tried to leave you alone like you asked but if you keep quoting my post thats not going to last. I can only turn the other cheek for so long.

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05-22-2010 , 01:07 PM

#83

Gunth0807

Wears Hoodies in Pizza Joints

Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9,249

Quote:

Yes that make perfect sense as degens never gamble with money they dont need for their family's or other things. My mistake.

Okay and weren't going to lose it otherwise right?

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Gunth i have tried to leave you alone like you asked but if you keep quoting my post thats not going to last. I can only turn the other cheek for so long.

I never asked you to leave me alone, i asked for you to stop purposely trying to make discussions ridiculous or twisting my words around. One of your recent posts:

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Then when he's that eman guy he must be tripping his ass off.

I wish this world could learn to turn the other cheek like you do. Get real.

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05-22-2010 , 01:09 PM

#84

batair

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 16,802

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunth0807

Okay and they are going to win otherwise right?

wat?

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05-22-2010 , 01:59 PM

#85

The Financier

veteran

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,322

Gunth: How does an atheist like myself have success in poker? I'm sure I've beaten many good Christians online so is the devil using his evil powers to punish the "non-real" Christians through me?

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05-22-2010 , 04:49 PM

#86

loK2thabrain

Tiger > Jack

Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23,203

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunth0807

I will ask you this again, if God really did not want to allow gambling at all, would Jerry Yang be able to win the WSOP in His name, after you know that God says He controls the outcome of all things?

Casting lots the way they did back then is kind of a thing of the past. Computers weren't around back then so should none of His Word apply to anything regarding computers? Life was not ended when Jesus died...

LOUD NOISES !!!!one!,,!,!!! i rly wish everyone would just ignore this guy. (i know all too well its hard to resist) he's. just. so. damn. dense.

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