Lotterys and Religion: win some and lose some…

                         Good Day Humboldt County!

The way I understand it, there’s an earthly plane, and a spiritual plane. I realize that’s a simplistic statement. Allow me to try to explain. Our journey through life means we experience real world pain and joy. But there’s this part of us that believes we’re going to be held accountable for our deeds in life after we die.

That’s why if I won the lottery, or the massive Power Ball (which at this moment is up to $540 million) I would give most of it away to friends, family, and charities. What would world religious leaders do with a lot of money if it fell into their holy laps? 

For example, what would the Pope do if he won $1.7 million? My guess is he’d have some trouble explaining why he’s playing the lottery. If he’s successful at bullshitting the faithful about why, because he’s God’s best boy, then he should be able to convince them the money is going somewhere worthwhile… which in fact would be the Catholic Church’s coffers.

The Asian version of the pope, The Dalai Lama, was awarded a prize – $1.7 million – because he’s been busy showing a link between science and religion lately. What’s he going to do with all that money? The way I understand it, he’s got free rein to have a wild time with all that loot if he so chooses. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he’s going to use the money for a free lunch program for all Tibetans for the next decade!

News Snippet:

“The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, has won $1.7 million after being awarded the 2012 Templeton Prize for his work linking science and wider questions of faith and religion. Tenzin Gyatso, 76, the 14th Dalai Lama, will be presented with his award at a ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London in May.”

I realize that the Dalai Lama didn’t play the lottery, but he still won something so I’m including him in this conversation. This lottery business can be really exciting until you realize your chance of winning (even when you play every day) is about as likely as opening a café on Jupiter for wealthy intergalactic visitors!

Time for me to walk on down the road…