Many of the world’s major religions share common ethical teachings that guide followers toward responsible and virtuous living. Among these teachings, prohibitions or strong discouragements against alcohol consumption, gambling, and usury (charging excessive interest on loans) are prevalent across various faiths, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others. While the extent and interpretation of these prohibitions vary, the underlying reasons often center on preserving spiritual purity, promoting social harmony, and protecting individuals from harm. This article explores these prohibitions in major world religions, their reasons, and relevant verses from their holy texts.
Islam
Islam explicitly prohibits alcohol, gambling, and usury, viewing them as detrimental to both individual well-being and societal cohesion. These prohibitions are rooted in the Quran and reinforced by Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad).
Alcohol
• Reason: Alcohol (khamr) is seen as an intoxicant that clouds judgment, leads to sinful behavior, and distances individuals from God. It is considered a tool of Satan that fosters enmity and hinders prayer.
• Quranic Verses:
• Surah Al-Baqarah 2:219: “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’”
• Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:90-91: “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone altars [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan’s plan is to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer. Will you not then abstain?”
• Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad said, “Every intoxicant is khamr and all khamr is haraam.” (Sahih Muslim, 2003)
Gambling
• Reason: Gambling (maysir) is condemned for fostering greed, exploiting others’ losses, and promoting reliance on chance rather than hard work. It disrupts family and community life due to its addictive nature.
• Quranic Verses: See Surah Al-Baqarah 2:219 and Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:90-91 above, which pair gambling with alcohol as sinful acts.
• Hadith: The Prophet said, “Whoever says to his companion, ‘Come, let us gamble,’ should give charity [as expiation].” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 4860)
Usury
• Reason: Usury (riba) is prohibited because it exploits the poor, creates economic inequality, and prioritizes wealth accumulation over compassion. Islam encourages fair trade and charity instead.
• Quranic Verses:
• Surah Al-Baqarah 2:275: “Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity… Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest.”
• Surah Al-Baqarah 2:278-279: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger.”
• Hadith: The Prophet said, “A dirham of riba which a man receives knowingly is worse than committing adultery thirty-six times.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, 2274)
Christianity
Christianity does not universally prohibit alcohol, gambling, or usury but emphasizes moderation and warns against behaviors that lead to greed, addiction, or exploitation. Interpretations vary across denominations, with some advocating abstinence.
Alcohol
• Reason: While moderate wine consumption is permitted (e.g., in the Eucharist), drunkenness is condemned as it leads to loss of self-control, sinful behavior, and harm to others. Some denominations, like Seventh-day Adventists and certain Protestants, advocate total abstinence due to alcohol’s potential for abuse.
• Biblical Verses:
• Ephesians 5:18: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
• Proverbs 20:1: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
• 1 Corinthians 6:10: “Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
• Leviticus 10:9 (Old Testament, to priests): “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die.”
• Note: Some prohibitionists argue that positive references to wine (e.g., 1 Timothy 5:23) refer to unfermented grape juice, though this is debated.
Gambling
• Reason: Gambling is not explicitly prohibited but is often discouraged due to its association with greed, poor stewardship of resources, and harm to others. It contradicts the biblical work ethic and trust in God’s provision.
• Biblical Verses:
• 1 Timothy 6:9-10: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”
• Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.”
• Proverbs 16:33: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (This suggests God’s sovereignty over chance, not endorsement of gambling.)
• Ephesians 4:28: “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”
• Note: The casting of lots (e.g., John 19:24) was a decision-making tool, not gambling, as no money was wagered.
Usury
• Reason: Charging excessive interest, especially to the poor, is condemned as exploitative. The Bible encourages lending without interest to help those in need, though moderate interest in commercial contexts is sometimes permitted.
• Biblical Verses:
• Exodus 22:25: “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.”
• Leviticus 25:35-37: “If your brother becomes poor… you shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.”
• Psalm 15:5: “Who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”
• Ezekiel 18:8: “Does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man.”
Judaism
Judaism, based on the Torah and Talmud, permits moderate alcohol use but discourages gambling and usury, particularly when they harm others or exploit the vulnerable.
Alcohol
• Reason: Wine is celebrated in rituals (e.g., Kiddush) and seen as a gift from God, but drunkenness is condemned as it leads to immoral behavior and loss of dignity.
• Torah Verses:
• Proverbs 23:20-21: “Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty.”
• Isaiah 5:11: “Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!”
• Talmud: The Talmud warns against excessive drinking, stating that drunkenness can lead to sin (e.g., Sanhedrin 70a).
Gambling
• Reason: Gambling is discouraged in the Talmud as it promotes idleness, greed, and reliance on chance rather than productive work. Professional gamblers are disqualified from testifying in court due to their perceived lack of social contribution (Sanhedrin 24b).
• Torah Verses: No direct prohibition, but principles against greed apply:
• Proverbs 28:22: “A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.”
• Talmud: “One who plays with dice is not disqualified [as a witness], but one who makes a living from it is disqualified” (Sanhedrin 24b), implying disapproval of habitual gambling.
Usury
• Reason: Charging interest to fellow Jews is forbidden to prevent exploitation and promote communal solidarity. Interest is permitted in business dealings with non-Jews under certain conditions.
• Torah Verses:
• Exodus 22:25: See above (shared with Christianity).
• Deuteronomy 23:19-20: “You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, or anything that is lent for interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but you may not charge your brother interest.”
• Leviticus 25:36: “Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.”
Hinduism
Hinduism’s stance on alcohol, gambling, and usury varies across texts and traditions. While some scriptures condemn these practices, others permit them in moderation, especially for certain castes. Brahmins are generally prohibited from indulging.
Alcohol
• Reason: Alcohol is discouraged in authoritative texts (Sruti) as it leads to sinfulness, weakness, and violent behavior. However, some Smriti texts allow it for lower castes or in rituals (e.g., Tantric practices).
• Vedic Verses:
• Rig Veda 8.2.12 (paraphrased): Intoxication is a source of sinfulness and weakness.
• Manusmriti 9:235: “A person who steals gold, or drinks liquor… these four are lost.”
• Note: Soma, a ritual drink in the Vedas, is debated as an intoxicant but is distinct from recreational alcohol.
Gambling
• Reason: Gambling is criticized for fostering greed, addiction, and social discord, as depicted in the Mahabharata’s story of Yudhishthira losing his kingdom in a dice game.
• Vedic Verses: No direct verses, but the Mahabharata illustrates gambling’s dangers:
• Mahabharata, Sabha Parva: Yudhishthira’s gambling leads to exile and suffering, serving as a cautionary tale.
• Manusmriti 7:47: Kings are advised against gambling, as it corrupts rulers and society.
Usury
• Reason: Excessive interest is condemned as exploitative, though moderate interest is permitted for certain castes (e.g., Vaishyas). Charity and fairness are emphasized.
• Manusmriti 8:140-142: Limits interest rates and condemns usury that harms borrowers.
• Note: The Dharma Shastras regulate lending to prevent exploitation.
Buddhism
Buddhism discourages alcohol, gambling, and usury as part of its ethical precepts, which aim to cultivate mindfulness and compassion.
Alcohol
• Reason: Alcohol violates the Fifth Precept, which advises against intoxicants that cloud the mind and lead to heedlessness, hindering spiritual progress.
• Sutra:
• Sigalovada Sutta (Digha Nikaya 31): “There are these six dangers of addiction to intoxicants: loss of wealth, increase in quarrels, susceptibility to disease, loss of reputation, shameless exposure, and weakened intellect.”
• Vinaya Pitaka: Monks are strictly prohibited from consuming alcohol.
Gambling
• Reason: Gambling leads to greed, loss of wealth, and social conflict, contradicting the Buddhist principles of contentment and non-harming.
• Sutra:
• Sigalovada Sutta: Lists gambling among six destructive habits: “The six dangers of addiction to gambling: winning breeds resentment, losing causes grief, loss of wealth, untrustworthiness in court, contempt from friends, and being unwanted in marriage.”
• Anguttara Nikaya 5.177: Warns against habits like gambling that ruin wealth.
Usury
• Reason: Charging excessive interest is seen as exploitative and contrary to compassion and generosity, core Buddhist values.
• Sutra: No direct prohibition, but the Digha Nikaya and Anguttara Nikaya emphasize ethical wealth accumulation through honest means, discouraging exploitation.
• Vinaya Pitaka: Monks are forbidden from handling money, indirectly discouraging usury.
Other Religions
Sikhism
• Alcohol: Prohibited as it impairs spiritual focus. The Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) forbids intoxicants.
• Guru Granth Sahib, Page 554: “Those who drink liquor and eat meat lose their wealth and honor.”
• Gambling: Discouraged as it promotes greed and distracts from devotion.
• No specific verse, but Sikh principles emphasize honest work (kirat karni).
• Usury: Forbidden as exploitative, aligning with Sikh values of equality and charity.
Jainism
• Alcohol: Prohibited under the vow of non-violence, as it harms living organisms and clouds judgment.
• Tattvartha Sutra: Intoxicants violate ethical conduct.
• Gambling: Condemned as it fosters greed and harm.
• Usury: Discouraged as it exploits others, contrary to compassion.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism)
• Alcohol: Prohibited under the Word of Wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants 89:5-7), which bans “wine or strong drink.”
• Gambling: Forbidden as it promotes greed and poor stewardship.
• Usury: Discouraged as exploitative, though no specific verse.
Seventh-day Adventism
• Alcohol: Prohibited as harmful to body and soul.
• Gambling: Condemned for fostering greed and addiction.
• Usury: Discouraged as exploitative.
Why These Prohibitions?
The prohibitions or discouragements against alcohol, gambling, and usury across religions share common themes:
- Spiritual Purity: These practices are seen as clouding the mind, fostering greed, or distancing individuals from divine connection.
- Social Harmony: They often lead to addiction, exploitation, or conflict, disrupting families and communities.
- Ethical Living: Religions emphasize honest work, compassion, and responsible stewardship over quick gains or harmful indulgences.
- Protection from Harm: These behaviors are associated with physical, financial, and moral harm, which religious teachings aim to prevent. While some religions (e.g., Christianity, Judaism) allow moderation in certain contexts, others (e.g., Islam, Buddhism) advocate strict abstinence. The diversity reflects cultural and historical contexts, but the shared goal is to promote a virtuous, balanced life.
Conclusion
The world’s major religions, through their sacred texts, provide guidance against alcohol, gambling, and usury, emphasizing their potential to harm individuals and society. By adhering to these teachings—whether through strict prohibition or moderation—followers aim to cultivate spiritual growth, ethical conduct, and communal well-being. Understanding these shared values fosters respect for diverse faiths while highlighting universal principles of responsibility and compassion.
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Note: Due to the vastness of religious texts, some verses are summarized or referenced indirectly. For precise interpretations, consult primary sources or religious scholars.