The bishops closed their letter by offering thanks for the opportunity for dialogue around the educational funding issue and pledging to pray for the state leadership. We believe that tax reforms such as these are the wisest and best ways to find the resources needed for our youngest children and our public schools. As United Methodist Christians, we believe that the church has a key role in fostering responsible government, in developing health and moral maturity, and in freeing persons from damaging and dependent behaviors. We will use all the resources at our disposal, within The United Methodist Church membership of 500,000 across the state of North Carolina and collaboratively with other judicatories and people of faith in our state, to resist a state lottery or a referendum on a state lottery. Lotteries have proven to prey on poor people and unfairly benefit the non-poor.
Lotteries give easy access to underage and compulsive gamblers.
Lotteries reduce consumer spending on other goods and services. Lotteries are an inefficient way for governments to raise money. Lottery revenues, over time, lead to a decrease in funding for dedicated causes. While neighboring states have passed lottery legislation, we believe that North Carolina can resist this temptation and witness to a more excellent way. We thank you for the invitation to be involved in dialogue around matters of great consequence in our state, and we covenant to pray for you in the days ahead.