Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

'Gambling of any kind amounts to theft by permission'- Dr Melvin A. Turnbull

- Likens a gambler to an alcoholic
Senior pastor of the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church, Dr Melvin A. Turnbull has spoken against gambling, saying it is ungodly. Photo: Facebook
There have been resistance particularly from the Christian community against the idea of legalising Parimutuel Wagering in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
There have been resistance particularly from the Christian community against the idea of legalising Parimutuel Wagering in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
There have also been calls in the past for casinos to be permitted in the Territory. Photo: Internet Source
There have also been calls in the past for casinos to be permitted in the Territory. Photo: Internet Source
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI- Senior pastor of the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church, Dr Melvin A. Turnbull, adding his voice to the ongoing debate of gambling, says the acts amount to theft by permission and sometimes only God can help the gambler overcome his habits.

According to Dr Turnbull, in a press release today, June 15, 2020, gambling may be practised in many different ways. These include, but are not limited to the lottery, Ponzi schemes or pyramid schemes, and pari-mutuel betting.

He said some forms appear to be quite innocent, and sometimes percentages of the profits are used for a good cause. “God’s Word, however, indicates that gambling in any form is contrary to the Will of God for a Believer. First, gambling or betting puts faith in chance or luck rather than in the care and provision of God. Second, one who gambles seeks to profit from another’s loss. This practice borders on covetousness and stealing.”

Promoting ‘a greedy spirit’

Dr Turnbull continued that gambling promotes a greedy spirit and it emphasises getting rather than giving, selfish interest rather than self-sacrifice, and erodes the moral fibre of society.

“The Bible indicates that there are three ways by which to profit materially. First, work. “If any would not work, neither should he eat” (2Thessalonians 3:10, KJV). Second, by wise investments (refer to the parable of the talents in Luke 19:1-27). Third, gifts or inheritance. “Children ought not to lay up for the parents, but parents for the children” (2 Corinthians 12:14, KJV).”

Noting that one writer says, the appeal of gambling is somewhat understandable and that there is something alluring about getting something for nothing, Dr Turnbull pointed out that is where the sin lies.

“Gambling of any kind amounts to theft by permission. The coin is flipped, the dice are rolled, or the horses run, and somebody rakes in that which belongs to another. The Bible says, ‘In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread’ (Genesis 3:19, KJV). It doesn’t say, ‘By the flip of a coin shalt thou eat thy lunch.’ I realise that in most petty gambling no harm is intended, but the principle is the same as in big gambling. The difference is only in the amount of money involved.”

Similar to an alcoholic

The pastor, who is also the father of Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), the experience of the gambler is similar to that of the alcoholic.

“He deludes himself that he is master of his life which is actually out of control. He denies he has any problem, even though his family disintegrates. He ends up with enormous debts and even steals to cover his losses. The gambler may promise to quit, but rarely follows through unless he experiences a disaster which brings him face to face with the reality of his situation.”

According to Pastor Turnbull, an encounter with Jesus Christ is the only solution for many; and some experience immediate freedom from the addiction.

“Complete victory for others, however, is often a process. Many of the same emotional problems of the alcoholic are also present in the gambler, and the underlying causes must be dealt with in the light of the Word of God.”

Hot topic

Meanwhile, the issue of gambling being legalised in the Virgin Islands has always been a hot topic of debate and there have been mixed reactions on the subject.

There has long been a call, particularly from horse owners and horse racing fans to legalise pari-mutuel wagering in the Virgin Islands. There have also been calls for casinos to be permitted in the Territory. Opposing views; however, have come mainly from the Christian community.

30 Responses to “'Gambling of any kind amounts to theft by permission'- Dr Melvin A. Turnbull”

  • Laura (15/06/2020, 21:00) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    here who talking I saw his son on 284 playing martin king a bunch of half bake hypocrites
    • wow (16/06/2020, 08:15) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      He is not his son and his song is not him. I’m sure your muda wasn’t up and down.........I’ll stop there!! Be responsible for your own actions
  • Really (15/06/2020, 21:31) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    He just want more money in his offering
  • Chuh (15/06/2020, 21:42) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    The gambling messing with his offering.
  • well saw (15/06/2020, 23:02) Like (30) Dislike (7) Reply
    Giving 10 % of your earnings to the church/pastor is also thief by permission.
  • cnn (15/06/2020, 23:29) Like (10) Dislike (13) Reply
    Fahie do not let he stop you from your mission
  • Rubber Duck (16/06/2020, 05:26) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    Believing in preachers and their versions of how God wants to be worshipped is the craziest form of gambling of all.
  • Revelation (16/06/2020, 05:35) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
    Dr tur-bull fir god sake go sit doung you have the lodge in your church celebrating you during your birthday you are worst than judas
  • Paster (16/06/2020, 05:53) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go sit the f...down...where ur dam voice on racial discrimination and brutality
    • Whose God? (16/06/2020, 08:14) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Paster, I don't agree with your tone, but I agree with you about the Pastors' silence on racism. Some might offer a sentence or two about it, but not a 20 minute sermon. Many of the churches here teach the same doctrine taught at white churches. In a way they are supporting the idea of 1st class and 2nd class Christians.

      I read an article about a Billy Graham crusade where several white pastors sat on one side of Billy and a single black pastor sat on the other side by himself. Yet, we are to believe that all of them will be friends in heaven. Some might say: these white pastors are not really Christian. But the reality is that: THEY ARE.
      • How do you know? (16/06/2020, 11:58) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        How do you know who is a Christian? Only God knows. Not everyone that says Lord is a christian
  • tola (16/06/2020, 06:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Strupes
  • Amen (16/06/2020, 07:26) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    these pastors are something else:

    1. some members in his church serve rum(the same rum drinking they preach about) but the good pastor continue to accepting their offerings)

    2. the pastor shop at supermarket and his grocery payment contributes towards restocking the supermarket shelves with cigarettes and alcoholic beverages

    the one among us without sin should cast the first stone: when you have nothing to eat can you stop at his home for a meal

    gainful and lawful employment is the key to success so if all pastor bringing to the table is talk, he should go sit down

    the church said Amen

  • priest (16/06/2020, 07:33) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Pastor Turnbull when you ask me to sow a seed of $100 and I will received double that in return am I gambling? If not not isn't that usury ( giving for the sole purpose of receiving more that I gave) which the bible said that one should not do?.
  • Tell your son (16/06/2020, 08:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is not getting back in next election.
  • potter (16/06/2020, 08:12) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you want to say something tell bvi islander. Stop call Island people down. If you don't do that you just the same. All of us are black people. Man.
  • old (16/06/2020, 08:21) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Your son is a joker. He love money than how make money. People in Cane Garden Bay and other area need help. All he do is talk.talk.
  • Waiting (16/06/2020, 08:45) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just waiting to see the day these fake pastors get toss off the pulpit by some unknown force.
  • lol (16/06/2020, 09:50) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply

    Paying tithes with hopes of getting into heaven isn't gambling as well? What the @3$%^ is really wrong with these people? Nothing is wrong with having an opinion but these holier than thou statements make me sick! Churches host Bingo, Raffles and the like all the time as fundraisers to build their monstrosity structures of worship, what's the difference?

    • @LOL (16/06/2020, 16:40) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      It depends on the church. If they are against it they will not hold bingo and raffles. Additionally, the tithe is not paid with hopes of getting into heaven. Spend some time learning more about it so you can make informed statements.
  • Rich Mitch (16/06/2020, 10:19) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hypocrite at its best, you and this fake god act like you got a on and off switch for it, when the government stealing from the people you blind to it
  • Interested (16/06/2020, 11:20) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Agree with you 100 percent pastor.
    The premier claims to be a Christian, if that is so, his actions will testify
  • Youth (16/06/2020, 13:17) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Our country is in a bad state. Just look at the comments. What the pastor said is biblical. We have denied Jehovah.
    Is this a Christian Community. Hatred , Malice and Envy.
    All these are the beginning of sorrow. My heart aches whenever I go on these site.
    Father , please stretch your hands again over the beautiful BVI.
  • Saint Peter (16/06/2020, 13:24) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a croc you all got served with this white religion. Yes my children , life is hard and horrible here , but when you die you will be rewarded with a life of milk and honey (or fried chicken and rice ) . Now get out and pick that cotton.

    And pay the preacher.

    And you bought it.
  • GG (16/06/2020, 13:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Touch not Gods children
  • Vote no (17/06/2020, 10:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The entire history of legalized gambling in this country and abroad shows that it has brought nothing but poverty, crime, and corruption, demoralization of moral and ethical standards, and ultimately a lower living standard and misery for all the people. A gambler can become just as addicted to his bewitching pastime as the alcoholic does to his liquor or the drug addict to drugs.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.