Oklahoma's Southern Baptists have spoken out against gambling

This isn't the first time Oklahoma's Southern Baptists have spoken out against gambling.<br/> <br/>They lobbied the state legislature earlier this year before the lottery was even put on the ballot.<br/> <br/>Now

Sunday, October 3rd 2004, 6:28 pm

By: News On 6

This isn't the first time Oklahoma's Southern Baptists have spoken out against gambling.

They lobbied the state legislature earlier this year before the lottery was even put on the ballot.

Now they're not just speaking out, they're asking Oklahoma Southern Baptists to open up their wallets to fund an advertising campaign.

The campaign pitch was delivered today in church services around the state. Some pastors spent their sermons speaking out against gambling.

And then they asked members to give at least a dollar to pay for an anti-gambling advertising. The ad campaign would take on three state questions two on the lottery and one on gaming at horse racing tracks.

One church leader said he's not pushing a political agenda just standing up for a moral and ethical issue.

Rev Lonnie Latham, South Tulsa Baptist Church: "So of course we're going to be involved. And we're going to share what the word of god has to say about the moral ethic of working and the moral ethic of taking care of other people because when you gamble that means that someone loses so someone else can win."

Pulpit politics doesn't end there churches are taking an active role in the election process.
We'll have more on that and the reaction of church-goers, tonight at ten.