Church leader takes on casinos, television
“This is corruption and immorality,” he added. Beset by evils such as gambling and television, Greeks resemble American Indians whose culture was eroded by habits imported by Europeans, the head of the Church of Greece told an Athens congregation yesterday. Archbishop Christodoulos denounced gambling – card-playing is a traditional New Year’s Eve activity – focusing on state-approved casinos. «Are you not impressed by the continually growing number of casinos in our country, in which many people are destroyed so that the State can raise taxes?» he asked churchgoers in Athens Cathedral. Christodoulos said Greeks were like American Indians «who were alienated (from their culture) by alcoholic drinks and tobacco.» The Archbishop also criticized the «vulgar television programs that dominate our society.»
