Why Quakers (usually) refuse lottery grants
Ulverston, Katie Grosvenor
Quakers are peaceful simple living pacifists, who have a strong history of working for world peace, environmental stewardship and animal welfare. Its founder George Fox (who lived in Ulverston, Cumbria with his wife) was often attacked for his beliefs, even being thrown down steps and beaten with Bibles!
As independent meetings, there is no ‘one set law’ for all. And occasionally in dire times, some Quakers have (with heavy hearts) accepted lottery funding, in order to say save a meeting house.
But overall, Quakers (along with a few other religions) have a policy of not accepting lottery grants, unlike most of the masses.
Quaker values: truth, simplicity, peace, sustainability and equality.
Why do Quakers disagree with lotteries?
Because it encourages people (often living in financial poverty) to use their last money to buy a ticket, which could send them into deeper poverty. And there is almost zero chance of winning. In order for you to win, someone in desperate circumstances has to lose.
It also encourages addiction to gambling, which can lead to debt or suicide.
Others say that it’s a lazy alternative to governments doing their job, and fixing issues that lottery funds end up doing. You can still ‘help good causes’ by donating to small local charities. You also don’t have to buy lottery tickets or put big red plastic noses on your face.
Why winning the lottery is bad maths!
The odds of winning the National Lottery main lotto is around 1 in 45 million. That means you are more likely to be killed on your way to buying the lottery ticket, than winning it!
Some query why the jackpot is such a huge amount. In theory, it would be better to divide say a £4 million jackpot so 80 people won £50K each week (this would clear a lot of people’s debt and pay off mortgages). But then people would not be in hock to big banks and industry. Food for thought?
You could instead save a lot of money if you switched from lottery tickets:
- If you spend £2 a week on lottery tickets, in 5 years you save £520
- If you spend £4 a week, you save £1040
- If you spend £8 a week, you save £2080
- If you spend £10 a week, you save £2600
This is a good chunk of money that could be used to pay off a mortgage, put down a deposit for a nice rental home, create a nest egg for a child, have a ‘rainy day account’ for emergencies like vet bills, redecorate your home or take a nice holiday.
Lottery: a tax on people who are bad at maths. Ambrose Bierce
The universe will throw somebody a bone every now and then. But for the most part, you get in this life what you put in. Arian Foster
I despise the lottery. There’s less chance of you becoming a millionaire, than there is of getting hit on the head by a passing asteroid. Brian May (qualified astrophysicist).
