Online Archives

BY CHRISTINE KUMAR
UMCONNECTION STAFF

"There is no hope in slots." That is the message Barbara Knickelbein of Glen Burnie UMC shares with the world as she drives her Toyota hybrid, with its colorful bumper sticker, around the area.

Knickelbein is relieved and hopeful that other United Methodists will vote against the slots referendum which will be on the ballot during the general election Nov. 4.

Voters will decide if the state should legalize the release of up to 15,000 slot machines at racetracks and other locations across Maryland.

"With today's economic problems, where are people going to get the money to gamble when they are

having a hard time filling up their gas tanks?" asked Knickelbein.

"Maryland is at a historical crossroads," said Bishop John R. Schol addressing voters. "This is your Maryland where your vote will determine the future of your state. Take a stand against gambling in Maryland."

According to the MarylandersUnited.com Web site, for every $1 in slots benefits, Maryland can expect $3 in costs.

The Web site also states, "It is easy to get caught up in the false promise of slots, easy money and a quick fix to all that ails Maryland. But the simple truth is that for slots to win, Marylanders must lose."

"Gambling preys on people, on people who cannot afford to lose," said the Rev. Byron Brought, pastor of Calvary UMC in Annapolis. "Slots are the crack cocaine of gambling." Brought and Schol are steering committee members of Marylanders United.

"Our local congregations need to do all that we can to stop slots and bring hope to people," said Sandy Ferguson, conference director of social justice ministries. Otherwise, the repercussions of legalized gambling will have a devastating effect on our churches and community."

Scott Brewer, a member of Chevy Chase UMC, agrees with Ferguson and believes that clergy should use their influence on this matter, "I am sure that the position and action of ministers, priests and other men of cloth will be the key to the defeat of this monstrous unholy resolution," he said.

Earlier this month, more than 40 people attended a forum on "Slots or No Slots" at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. The group heard presentations from various professors from the university on the effects of gambling.

"The forum highlighted the social costs and economic fallacy of amending our State Constitution to allow slots machine gambling," said David Weaver, chief of staff to Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and a member of St. Paul's UMC in Kensington. "Crime, corruption, bankruptcies and broken

families would increase as a result of this regressive tax on working families."

To obtain a copy of the DVD, "No slots in Maryland" and bumper stickers against slots, contact Sandy Ferguson at 800-492-2525 or e-mail