December 15, 1999

Lottery & Baptists claim Texas 2000
___"Texas 2000" means something different to Texas Baptists than it does to the State of Texas.
___The same name used to describe the Baptist General Convention of Texas initiative to preach the gospel to every person in the state by the end of the year 2000 has been tapped by the Texas Lottery for a new scratch-off game.
___"Texas Baptists' Texas 2000 is an effort to develop moral character and spiritual resources, which is in direct contrast to what the Texas Lottery does to Texans in terms of addiction to gambling, missed meals, misery and families in disarray," said Phil Strickland, director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission.
___"The lottery attempts to rip off families, while Texas Baptists are attempting to strengthen families. The Texas Lottery game is another example of victimizing children, while the Texas Baptist effort is aimed at helping children," he said.
___Keith Elkins, a spokesman for the Texas Lottery, said he was not aware whether the Lottery researched the similarity in names.
___"Probably no one here even knew there was a Baptist effort" by that name, he said.
___

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