[PW] Christian Science and lotteries

[Nina Gilbert]

Another seasonal stumper!

Short version:  Would a Christian Scientist appreciate a lottery ticket?

Background:  Our office is playing Secret Santa as part of our holiday festivities.  We've drawn names, and over the next two weeks, we're supposed to surprise our person with little presents, poems, etc.  A colleague tells me that lottery tickets are popular Secret-Santa gifts -- a fun way to give multiple gifts and stay under our $15 limit. 

My person is a Christian Scientist.  My question:  Does Christian Science accept lottery tickets?

I realize this could be an individual question, but we're supposed to keep this secret from everyone else around the office.  I can't even ask indirectly, because most of our colleagues don't know she's a Christian Scientist (so the question would be a clue about who her Santa is).

I've found anti-lottery articles in the CS Monitor and CS Journal, but they don't say that lotteries are actually forbidden.  

Example:
http://www.csjournal.com/tte/article_display.jhtml?ElementId=/repositories/shcomarticle/Jun2005/1118066545.xml&ElementName=What%20a%20horse%20taught%20me%20about%20charity

TinyURL version of that long link:
http://tiny.cc/Lottery


Quote from that article:

So on the night of the raffle, I called my uncle, who practiced spiritual healing, and confessed I had a ticket. He pretty firmly told me to “just forget it” because he understood that no real good comes by chance—that God is the source of good. Divine law provides and cares for all without partiality or exception. 


I Googled to see if any CS churches were holding raffles.  I understand that the actual Mother Church is in my town (Boston!), so I may try calling them.

I would love an answer, a clue, or suggestions for other Secret Santa gifts.

Thank you,

Nina Gilbert
Education and Community Programs Manager, Boston Lyric Opera


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Nina Gilbert
ninagilbert at yahoo.com