At a recent ecumenical conference for clergymen of various faiths, three of the most distinguished scholars were relaxing one evening. To put not too fine a point on it, Father O'Connell, Reverend Wilson, and Rabbi Cohen were indulging in a game of cards.
Unfortunately their game grew a little noisy and the zealous hotel security guard entered the room, confiscated chips and cards, and had them arrested under the strict antigambling statutes of the city.
Appearing before a magistrate, they found him acutely embarrassed.
"Gentlemen," said he, "I would rather this had not happened, but there would seem to be evidence of a misdemeanor, and since you have been arrested I cannot dismiss the case without some investigation. Nevertheless, in view of your profession, I feel I can trust you to tell me the truth. I ask no other evidence. If each of you can tell me that you were not gambling, that will be sufficient and I shall release you. Father, shall we start with you?"
The worthy priest said at once, "Surely it is important to be certain that we define what we mean by gambling. In a narrow, but entirely valid sense, what we describe as gambling is only so if there is a desire to win money, rather than merely to enjoy the suspense of the fall of the cards. In addition, we might confine gambling to situations where the loss of money would be harmful, as otherwise such loss might be viewed merely as a variable admission fee..."
"I understand," interrupted the magistrate. "I will take it then that you were not gambling by your definition of the word. And you, Reverend Wilson?"
The good minister straightened his tie and said, "I entirely agree with my learned colleague. Further, I might point out that gambling is present only if there are stakes involved. Admittedly there was money on the table but it remains to be determined whether the money would eventually have found its way into the possession of an individual not its owner at the start of the game, or if, in fact, it was being used simply as a convenient marker that indicates the progress of the game."
"Yes," said the magistrate, "I will accept your satisfactory indication that you were not gambling. Now, Rabbi Cohen, were you gambling?"
The pious rabbi's eyebrows shot upward,
"With whom, Your Honor?"