The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, in Jamaica, has made it clear that it will not tolerate its members taking part in the lottery scam, following the arrest of two pastors of unspecified denominations in Westmoreland, in connection with the illicit scam.
Nigel Coke, communication, public affairs and religious liberty director of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, said that the church would not accept money from anyone, as tithes or offerings, which was gained through the lottery scam.
“We do not support any form of corruption or illicit activities, including the scamming of people,” said Coke. “We believe in the dignity of work, and that people should use legitimate means in order to earn and provide for themselves and their families. If we know that the funds persons are giving to the church come from illicit activities, we will not accept it.”
Coke added that the SDA church seeks to educate people on the dangers associated with lottery scamming, which has been touted as a major factor in the recent increase in violent crime across western Jamaica.
