Mandated gambling
April 8, 2008
According to The Economic Times, the Islamic Fiqh Academy has decided that health insurance is a form of gambling, and thus is illegal under Islamic law. I find this to be a deplorable insult to gambling houses everywhere. Gambling generally has much better odds, and I think is likely a less corrupt industry. Let us compare and contrast:
- Gambling preys on the hopes of the poor. Insurance preys on the fears of the poor.
- Gambling is fun. Insurance: not fun.
- Money lost to insurance goes to corrupt old white guys, Money lost to gambling goes to corrupt old white guys, or Indians.
- Gambling is optional. Insurance is sometimes optional, but getting less so every day.
A note on number four; the academy stated that if the insurer was under legal constraints, it might be ok to purchase insurance. I find it interesting that an all powerful deity that will punish me in the afterlife would be nice enough to leave me a legal loophole. I guess Muslims can vote for Hillary after all.
