What I think about Las Vegas

The greater majority of the time I chose to dwell on the positive. But occasionally I speak out on subjects that to me are negative. Las Vegas is one of those subjects. Following are the reasons I believe Las Vegas to be a hell-hole:

The exploitation of women. I have a mother, a wife, and six daughters. Ladies should be protected, cared for, honored. In Las Vegas, they are exploited and degraded. They wear skimpy, or no, clothing.

Something for nothing. The culture of and surrounding gambling has ruined many people. The idea that you can "win" and get ahead by games of chance. The work ethic is not affirmed.

Waste of resources. Excesses of all kinds are on display.

Fantasy land. The plastic lifestyle is not normal, natural, or real. You cannot build upon such a foundation.

Unsustainable lifestyle. There are monuments in Las Vegas to Rock and Roll stars who died in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Why? Abuse of the body through alcohol, drugs, tobacco, "fast living." This pace cannot be sustained and shouldn't be glamorized.

It's all about me. The #1 goal in Las Vegas is "entertainment." The focus is on oneself, not others.

Is Las Vegas the only place you can find these excesses and abuses? Of course not. But it is highly concentrated in this one place. It's an overload of a lifestyle that does not promote family, country, the work ethic, thrift, stewardship, production, creation, personal progress or personal improvement.

Las Vegas is "successful" because a great many people make a personal choice to pour their money into it. This is understandable among the unredeemed - but for the Christian to participate is something else altogether. With a violation of so many of God's principles, warnings, and commandments, why would a Christian enjoy going to Las Vegas? That's a question for each Christian to answer for themselves.

A positive close... The architecture, special effects, and creativity used to produce some of the buildings and hotels is indeed admirable. As an engineer, I can admire and appreciate the work, planning, and skill it took to build such structures.

The other side... Yet underlying the skill in building and design is the knowledge that the monies to do such work came off the backs of those likely not in a position to be able to provide it, and with rampant immorality abounding, my heart breaks for those abused by such a system.