It is not surprising that the Episcopal Conference in Mexico has published an official report condemning the opening of casinos in the country. It is also not surprising that this noble body doesn't favour family planning or the acceptance of homosexuals within society with all their ethical, moral, cultural, social and economic rights, never mind cloning.

In reality, if it had been left to the Holy Roman Catholic Church science would not have progressed even to acceptance of Darwin's theory and people whose skin was not white would still be lesser mortals.

Arguing that there should be more studies to 'demonstrate the deceptions of the gaming industry and the negative effects on the lives of many people and their families' the communication from the seminary of the Gaudium diocesese of the religious order under the Bishop of Leon, José Guadalupe Martín Rábago, stated that to bring about the installation of casinos in Mexico would actually reinforce negative tendencies in the economy of the country, and that the ecomomy should be restructured 'and rehabilitated ethically as it is becoming ever more subjected to dehumanization.'

The Bishop went on to say, "For this reason there can be no positive result from the approval of casinos and betting shops that bring neither quantity nor quality to the economic development in the country, and indeed could prove an obstacle." He added that working in the gambling business could mean loss of worth and dignity, "and this is the high cost that will be paid for generating jobs and income from casinos and betting shops."

However altruistic the comments of the Bishop of Leon and the Church, they have no basis in reality, as the laws of economics do not obey dogma, and as science has the bad habit of questioning the merits of the Church in deciding the well-being of the family.

It is not possible to be against an industry that, economically speaking, is positive for the generation of employment at least, and not against the industries of tobacco and liquor that are damaging to the health of adults and children alike. The gaming industry, like many others that help in the economic development of people, is not damaging when well regulated. If it affects the economic well-being of one, or harmony in the family of another, so also has and does religion.

Casinos have investors and they take risks to make profits, as do governments both in the present and in the past. The Church has a meaningful rôle to play in the recovery and rehabilitation of people affected by problems of gambling, alcohol, drugs or abuse and who turn to them for help. It should not start a crusade against the many believers who make an honest living working in the gaming industry.

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