Whenever the issue of table games came up there were always two groups: Ted Arnault and his handful of cronies supporting the expansion of gambling and hordes of conservative Christians opposing the measure.

Like clockwork, the bill would come up, the activists would fight, and the bill would die.

This year however was an entirely different matter. The bill came up, the gambling lobbyists drove in, but the religious right never showed up, and the bill passed.

Dennis Sparks, president of the West Virginia Council of Churches, and John Carey, lobbyist for the West Virginia Values Coalition, tried their best but they couldn’t get the masses to come. The smattering that did bother was not nearly enough.

One pastor located in Kanawha County told me that his congregation was as adamantly opposed to it this year as they were in times past; they are just tired of fighting it was his excuse. Considering that the last time table games were brought up was 2005, it was a lame pretext.

One thing that can be said for liberals: they never give up. Every year they push and strain for policies and ideals that the average West Virginian opposes: it always comes down to who blinks first. Usually it is the religious right.

I must give a disclaimer. Someone recently told me that I was the most conservative person he ever met. And he is probably correct. When it comes to the religious right movement — or whatever you want to call it — I are one. My religion is my own concern, but suffice it to say I am very devout.

I hear many preachers speak on how the prime objective of the church is to witness to unbelievers — and they are right. But I heartily disagree when Christians conclude that they have no place in politics. While the religious community stays in their churches singing “Blessed Assurance,” let me promise you that the liberals are passing bills that are neither a blessing or very assuring.

I cannot tell you how many well meaning people have told me to get away from politics because it is “too dirty.” My response to them has always been it is too dirty because there are not enough Christians involved.

The table games bill is a ready example of what happens when the church remains in the pews. I hope it is a lesson we will learn and never forget. But I doubt we will. More than likely the same pastors who never encouraged their membership to do anything have already burned our legislature in effigy.

Yes, the Senators and Delegates are to blame in part. But today’s table games are brought to you courtesy of the religious right.