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Selectively highlighting words in his post, you have managed to twist what he said into something entirely different. For example, he didn't say "he" believes what he believes no matter. He was obviously talking about some other gambler. Why not just take what he says at face value and believe what it says?
Readers read into a post what they understand, both the text and the subtext. The text is there for all to see. I dont see any twisting of words. The Essence of the post has beed described quite adequately. If there is a misunderstanding surely the OP can clarify it.
Why not just let readers read it the way they do? Do they need lessons how to read?
Selectively highlighting words in his post, you have managed to twist what he said into something entirely different. For example, he didn't say "he" believes what he believes no matter. He was obviously talking about some other gambler. Why not just take what he says at face value and believe what it says?
the opening post states his view that he has faith and belief in, his own system for gambling, his system which he favors and prefers and actively uses in gambling, he describes his system as "playing the odds" and allocating $300 to lose per night and then he stops. those are what he describes in the opening post as "little gambling rituals." the opening post admonishes other systems and gives examples of other systems, and indicates why he has faith and belief in his own system. that IS taking the post at face value.
Last edited by Tzaphkiel; 03-13-2022 at 08:18 AM..
Selectively highlighting words in his post, you have managed to twist what he said into something entirely different. For example, he didn't say "he" believes what he believes no matter. He was obviously talking about some other gambler. Why not just take what he says at face value and believe what it says?
regarding second sentence in the post above, the view stated in the opening post is clear that he uses his own system which he has faith and belief in including his own rituals, in his words he uses it always and only. Yes in the opening post he describes and criticizes other gamblers. And my posts point out areas where his own behavior is the same as that which he admonishes others for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LearnMe
Much I have read in this forum, written by religious people, reminds me of people I have met while gambling...I will admit to being a gambler. One who very much enjoys craps and black jack in particular. Not a problem gambler, because I always only allot about $300 for a night of gambling enjoyment and if/when that's gone, I stop. Last two times at the tables I won, however. That's most certainly my preferred outcome.Not what this thread is about though. What I read from religious people in this forum reminds me of the many people I have met gambling who strongly believe their little gambling rituals actually help them win money and/or keep them from losing. I've played black jack with these people who don't really know how to play according to the odds. Instead they play with some sort of "sense" about what to bet. Completely against the odds, but because they can and do sometimes win, they continue believing they can somehow know better, sense better and beat the odds. These people can be frustrating because they often can cause others around them to lose money. There's no talking to these people either. They believe what they believe no matter the odds to the contrary. Almost like they don't want to know better!At the craps table also for example. People will blow some sort of wish onto the dice before they roll. Pick up the dice before rolling in a very specific way they also believe will help them roll a good number. Others place bets based on some sort of weird notion "it's time" to do so. The worst bets according to the odds, but still, they "have faith" their system or belief works. In particular they hang on to those times when winning supports their beliefs despite the odds. Conveniently forgetting the losses.Is it just me or is this dynamic not very similar to how people describe their belief in how God operates?
Last edited by Tzaphkiel; 03-13-2022 at 08:42 AM..
I remember the 1st time I flew over the Colorado plateau, then saw Las Vegas come into view.
This city in the middle of nowhere.
As a theist, it resembled a " Spiritual " black hole.
It just sucked all the "fruit" of mankind, and provided nothing in return that I find valuable.
We were going to Utah. The cheapest flight was via Las Vegas.
When we landed and picked up the rental car, I told my wife we're not driving through the "strip".
I don't want to give that place a penny.
This post reminded me about a concept that I use on those rare occasions I gamble. And it is rare. I used to gamble occasionally on jai alai when I would visit my mother in Florida. And if I was in Nevada a bit on the slots. But one day at jai alai I noticed that many, perhaps even most, of the people at the betting windows looked very poor and were probably gambling away money that was needed for food or better clothes, or health needs. I could afford it and didn't get wrapped up in it (gambling), but it was a good reminder of the old saying "All things in moderation", and I think that applies to religion, as well.
Yes. Gambling like a good many other vices needs to be kept in check...
And/or "everything in moderation, including moderation."
I used to have a client who had a business there, so I visited for a couple of days. He explained to me that it's almost impossible to get a personal loan or line of credit from local banks there because so many people gamble the money away and never pay up. It is just not a "thing" anywhere else.
I'd hate to think of ever getting a loan for purposes of gambling.
Every casino i have been to, and there are not very many, are soulless. There is just this vacuousness about it, a sad, depraved state. I am not judging anyone but the place is joyless.
I suspect you have never enjoyed the fun of a hot craps table!
That said, I've been in some pretty "soulless" casinos. Others are quite beautiful.
When I lived in Arizona, my house was just a mile or so from a casino, and I wandered in there once just to see what it was like. There were several people who were robotically feeding coins into slot machines, zombie-like. So I get what you're saying about "vacuous". It reminds me of an alcoholic who once told me that they would be in such a state when visiting a liquor store -- afterwards, they didn't really remember the decision to buy their drink of choice, and often, not even being in the store. Yeah "joyless" is a good word.
There are casinos and there are casinos...
Many of the casinos in some areas of California, for example, are not the sort of casinos I enjoy. Many are just gambling houses very often on Indian reservation land. A couple I recently discovered near the San Jose airport are like those. "Soulless" is a good description. Most of those don't have craps tables and craps is my favorite table game. Those are not the sort of casinos I enjoy, so I don't go to those.
None of this really has much to do with what I had in mind when I started this thread. The comparison of some gamblers and their rationale similar to the rationale I've recognized with some religious people that is...
In the gambling world, you know the results right away.
In the gamble of life, no one knows who won and who lost, not even you, the expert and calculated gambler, simply because no one has returned back after death and told us who were the winners?
In the gamble of life, we can only try our best, till our destiny is revealed to us.
I don't think you have to wait for the afterlife to have ambiguous outcomes. You sometimes have to make decisions without as much certainty as you'd appreciate, since holy books cannot possibly cover every possible set of circumstances. Or you might make a decision with high degree of confidence in your dogma and still have bad outcomes, which might take some time to become obvious. You might even make a decision you regret which later turns out to be fortuitous. Life often just stubbornly refuses to follow nice clean scripts, holy or otherwise. But the religious often are biased to notice when good outcomes come from 'righteous' decisions, and equivocate or rationalize / discount when they don't.
I am as I now am largely because my 'rationalizer' broke down. I just don't have the energy anymore to force-fit lived experience to what is 'supposed' to happen when you do certain things. It's a very costly thing to always be doing.
My take on this is simple. They lack well-defined boundaries. Sometimes it is because they don't want to give up; they want to persevere. Sometimes it is done to show loyalty. You have a deeper understanding of gambling. They don't. And so you have a relationship where you can play but also where you can walk away. The playing captures their attention but they have no access to your insight. The reasons for walking away are ignored.
I find the same to be true of social organizations, especially religions. A person will hear and repeat the beliefs and values of a group in order to be a member. But is there ever a time when some part of it is simply not acceptable? For some people, no. For others, they won't follow certain things blindly. People can be religious but also have boundaries just as gamblers do such as you.
True, and of course it can get a little complicated when it comes to what makes people "tick." Whether they be gamblers or religious people. To your first point, for example, I think many gamblers don't really understand the statistics. The odds that determine whether a bet is better or worse than other bets. There are all kinds of ways to bet while playing craps, for example, that offer horrible odds of winning but a big payout. Other bets that provide the best odds a casino has to offer. If you know how to properly place those bets.
Same sort of thing when playing black jack. Some people play and for good money even though they don't know how! Also interesting that some will express an interest in learning how to play better. Others don't want to know! They have their own personal "system" or whatever else they want to call it. Talk about a good way to lose money. Their money however...
As compared to some religious thinking (which is what this thread was meant to be about), it is interesting to note what some people will think, believe and do no matter the facts of these matters. Like some gamblers, it's more about how they are feeling. Their sense of when they will be lucky, regardless the odds. Somewhat irrational to put it another way.
Reminds me of the old advice about investing too. Don't let emotions get the better of you. Especially if you are losing! Being able to "walk away" (from whatever should be avoided) is also key. AKA cutting your losses.
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