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Minister Accuses Church of Hypocrisy Over Casino

A MINISTER has accused the Church of Scotland of hypocrisy over their opposition to a casino in Stranraer.

For, he claims, while the official line is to oppose gambing, individual churches can apply for grants from the national lottery.

“Indeed”, writes Rev John Burns in his Stranraer church newsletter: “the Town Kirk is at the moment applying for such funds”.

And he goes on: “Surely it is illogical or even hypocritical to apply for funds from gambling and then object to a casino that would allow others to gamble?

“Perhaps it is, but that is the Church of Scotland’s position”.

Mr Burns writes that whatever private views people have, the Church of Scotland is opposed to gambling and so would not approve of a casino. “That is simple and straightforward to say”.

But, he adds: “Yet what about the jobs that a casino would bring? Many of them might be for lowly-paid cleaners but even so there would be jobs.

“If the casino brings people into the area, there would be other indirect jobs. B&Bs, shops and so on might benefit from increased business”.