Spirituality of Gambling

[Abishai100]

Here is a mock-dialogue about the metaphysics of gambling between the two Hindu gods Shiva (god of destruction) and Krishna (god of negotiation).

I was inspired to post this after seeing the searing American film Leaving Las Vegas, a modern spiritual meditation about a down-and-out alcoholic with a gambling issue who meets a struggling prostitute in Las Vegas (Nevada).


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SHIVA: Why do Americans love Las Vegas?
KRISHNA: They appreciate the thrill of staking money for great prizes!
SHIVA: It must be a capitalism-culture thing.
KRISHNA: It sure is.
SHIVA: There must be a lurking evil in Las Vegas.
KRISHNA: Yes, some players become addicted to gambling.
SHIVA: Imagine losing money, then winning it back, and then losing it again!
KRISHNA: It must be a devastating spiritual feeling.
SHIVA: Is it black-and-white do you think?
KRISHNA: There are gray areas (e.g., gambling to pay off debts).
SHIVA: Gambling can ruin a marriage.
KRISHNA: It can make someone insane.
SHIVA: Is there a difference between gambling and hunting?
KRISHNA: Not really, though some claim they hunt for spiritual reasons.
SHIVA: Gambling is therefore rarely 'spiritual.'
KRISHNA: Correct, it's more of a 'game experience.'
SHIVA: Gambling seems like 'sanctioned mischief.'
KRISHNA: Yes, you're literally 'playing with money/fortune.'
SHIVA: The lottery is not gambling, since it's routine.
KRISHNA: However, no one minds losing the lottery!

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[Vastator]

The apostles cast lots, (i.e. Gambled) to see who would take the top spot. Therefore the Bible, not only condones gambling; but glorifies, and encourages it.

 

[Mousterian]

But the Devil has subverted it, and destroys lives with it.

 

[Vastator]

But the Devil has subverted it, and destroys lives with it.

But not with the "Christian" faith itself? Yet I see no Church groups trying to ban, it...

 

[Abishai100]

"Diary Depth" (aka, 'private daydreams')

In one part of the Indian epic The Mahabharata, one group of brothers is betrayed by another group of brothers during a game of dice, and the betrayed brothers are horrified that their expectation of a spiritual game of fair-play turns into a finalistic contest leading to semi-ruin.

When we go to a casino such as Trump Taj Mahal or the Mohegan Sun, we might feel like we're 'surrounded' by an attitude of 'laissez-faire metaphysics,' since no one thinks about purgatory heavily while they're meditating on why they don't want to lose (at blackjack, slots, etc.).

The Bible does not seem to explicitly talk about gambling, but it certainly addresses a human being's ability to evaluate risk for the sake of survival (e.g., the travels of Paul).

If you've been part of a sports-team or a NFL betting-pool among your friends/peers, you might start to think about how the experience of 'shared risk' makes you feel spiritually closer to those with whom you play.

Surely, such considerations are reflected in social-ornaments such as the Vegas-teamwork film Ocean's Eleven.

It would be interesting to catalogue opinions on metaphysics/ethics in adventure-themed Hollywood (USA) films.

 

[fncceo]

Gambling is a tax on people who are bad at math.

 

[Abishai100]

Alien

Gambling is a tax on people who are bad at math.

Wouldn't it be cute if math were subjective?

We could imagine someone with a gambling addiction is not too self-organized, since he is negligent of the fact that simple odds of numbers suggests there's no guarantee he'll keep winning despite his constant yearning to continue playing.

We could therefore romanticize a persona with a gambling addiction (e.g., "That fellow is eternally praying for good luck"), or we could demonize such as person with equal conviction (e.g., "That fellow is a parasite on the fun of Vegas").

In other words, since every human being fantasizes about being *lucky*, we don't want to unequivocally say, "A person with a gambling addiction is obviously irresponsible."

We don't empathize with drunk-drivers, even though many of us have known what it is like to be drunk, but we empathize with people with gambling addictions, since we all think that chance/odds is a reality and not a choice or a 'feeling.'

Couldn't we therefore argue that those who gamble may be contemplating deep metaphysical mysteries of the universe while still being not too knowledgeable about math?

I think it's why we use 'gambling' to refer to generic species-wide behavioral challenges --- e.g., "That student is gambling with his future!", "Terrorists gamble with political sanity!", "She is gambling with pregnancy by drinking alcohol!" etc.

 

[Vastator]

Gambling is a tax on people who are bad at math.

Totally ripped off quote, from Niel DeGrasse Tyson.

 

[Abishai100]

The Academy


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KRISHNA: You seem very authoritative with your trident/trishula weapon.
SHIVA: It signifies my mastery over nature (and the sea).
KRISHNA: Are you proud of it?
SHIVA: Aren't you proud of something you wield yourself?
KRISHNA: I'm proud of my musical flute.
SHIVA: Good for you!
KRISHNA: Would you every take a risk (gamble) with your trident?
SHIVA: Would you ever gamble with your flute?
KRISHNA: I'd play a tune for someone who lost everything while gambling at a Vegas casino.
SHIVA: The sweet melody of sympathy...
KRISHNA: Is there only wrath with that trident?
SHIVA: Mostly wrath, but a little meditation as well...
KRISHNA: How would you use your trident to forgive someone?
SHIVA: Euthanasia.
KRISHNA: Isn't euthanasia like gambling with fate/destiny?
SHIVA: Free will has to be evaluated when discussing doom.
KRISHNA: They should teach poker/21 in math courses at college.
SHIVA: Haven't you seen Rain Man and 21?

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