Page 92 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

Supplement A

A S t r o n g D e m a n d T o T h e G o v e r n m e n t :
P r o t e c t O u r Y o u t h F r o m T h e H a r m O f G a m b l i n g

(December 4, 1999)

Youth are the hope of tomorrow's society. We should make sure our youth are growing up in the midst of a
healthy environment. Recently, however, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced plans to allow youth under
the age of 18 to enter the racecourse as part of their Millennium Horse Racing Events. This promotion of the
trend of gambling is being planted in the minds of young people of the next generation who are not yet mature,
who do not yet have the ability to make proper value judgments.

Recently in the society, there has been talk about even more gambling type activities, such as possibly opening
betting on ball games, the introduction of a casino in Hong Kong, and similar kinds of affairs. This gambling
trend is very serious, like a torrential flood coming from the mountainside. Our youth will be the first victims.
The Government however has already taken a say-nothing, do-nothing policy, a stance that makes the public
feel not only deeply concerned but even more outraged.

Hong Kong people have always had a strong reputation for being industrious, practical, serious, loyal and
resourceful. They do not depend on luck. The success of Hong Kong truly is based on the foundation of these
values and attitudes in life. This kind of cultural environment has taken many years to build. It takes many
years of nurturing in our youth before we can accomplish this achievement.

Recently though some people, who are shortsighted and trying to make money quickly, are using every avenue
to promote gambling activities. They have no hesitation about encouraging gambling among youth, tempting
them and creating a desire to gain something without working for it and relying on luck. This will destroy the
hard-working, steady character that has taken so long to establish. Hong Kong's development and foundation
will be seriously shaken by this attitude towards the gambling trend. As a group concerned about the future
of our youth and Hong Kong, we cannot just sit back and do nothing.

We strongly demand that the Government:

1. Immediately withdraw permission for the Hong Kong Jockey Club to allow youth under age 18 to enter the
racecourse premises during the Millennium Horse Racing Events.

2. Forbid the selling of horse racing tickets outside of the betting centers.

3. Promote the positive nurturing of hearts and minds of our youth in education circles and in the society to
resist becoming greedy and selfish, relying on luck, attempting to gain something without working for it,
and harming others to benefit oneself. All these attitudes can be generated from gambling activities.

4. Support all the people in the society who are promoting positive and healthy activities that are beneficial to
the community. Nurture and develop mutual aid and mutual love. Bear the responsibility for what are
our values and views of life.

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