Does being a Teetotaler Make One a Better Christian?

[Mama Kidogo]

Just interested in your thoughts.

 

[ChristsSoldier115]

I am one, but thats because what became leisure turned into life. It does if you're a former alcoholic.


Now a days I look back and I wonder, "If I needed a beer to relax, what does that say about me for choosing to ignore what was stressing me out to begin with? Is that even healthy?"

 

[topcare]

Just interested in your thoughts.

No it does not

 

[Mama Kidogo]

I am one, but thats because what became leisure turned into life. It does if you're a former alcoholic.


Now a days I look back and I wonder, "If I needed a beer to relax, what does that say about me for choosing to ignore what was stressing me out to begin with? Is that even healthy?"

There is a phrase in your post that will send the 12 steppers on a rampage. I like the phrase.

 

[Root of Jesse]

No, not of itself. If you had the vice, and God helped you overcome it, then yes.

I used to, many moons ago, drink pretty heavily, but it was recreational. Then I went to wine-only, and I overconsumed that. Now, I drink a glass with dinner. I enjoy life better that I have control over vices, rather than letting them control me.

 

[Mama Kidogo]

No, not of itself. If you had the vice, and God helped you overcome it, then yes.

I used to, many moons ago, drink pretty heavily, but it was recreational. Then I went to wine-only, and I overconsumed that. Now, I drink a glass with dinner. I enjoy life better that I have control over vices, rather than letting them control me.

Being controlled by any inanimate thing can't be good.
So how big is that glass?

 

[Root of Jesse]

Being controlled by any inanimate thing can't be good.
So how big is that glass?

Actually, I was given some from an airline that went belly-up, they used them in First Class, so, like 4 oz. I drink a 750 ml in about a week. That one in the picture, we have a couple of them used as flower vases...

 

[Mama Kidogo]

Actually, I was given some from an airline that went belly-up, they used them in First Class, so, like 4 oz. I drink a 750 ml in about a week. That one in the picture, we have a couple of them used as flower vases...

That's less than most Baptist teetotalers

 

[Root of Jesse]

That's less than most Baptist teetotalers

My mother's one of them. She and my aunt say they are, but my aunt's not above having a bourbon on the rocks about twice a week. But swears she doesn't drink. And criticizes those she thinks drink too much. Most people would never know I drink what I do, it's at home with dinner, and it's usually dinner for two...

 

[CalmRon]

It doesn't, one should follow their conscience on these things.if you think its sin don't do it.

 

[Albion]

Just interested in your thoughts.

I can't imagine how it could be wrong, and the Bible certainly doesn't teach that it is. That's why I have to shake my head at the churches that make applicants for membership swear never to touch alcohol.

It's true that drunkenness was so common, severe, and destructive in an earlier time that Christian people worked to minimize it, but if one is not an alcoholic and chooses to take a drink occasionally, I can see no harm in it. It's not even considered medically wrong or harmful.

 

[ChristsSoldier115]

Its not wrong, unless you're an alcoholic or a recovering alcoholic[like myself].

All them AA classes pretty said the difference between a alcoholic and a casual drinker is the alcoholic has to have a drink, while a casual drinker doesn't.

 

[Mama Kidogo]

It doesn't, one should follow their conscience on these things.if you think its sin don't do it.

That's interesting. Does thinking something is a sin make it a sin?

I agree with your first sentence. your second depends on the meaning. i'd say if you feel you have to hide the fact that you've had a drink, your not being honest (lying) and now we've sinned.

My husband was a Baptist Pastor before entering the priesthood. Quite a few years into it, a deacon and a lady came telling him he needed to speak with another deacon as he'd been spotted with a beer while fishing (imagine that). My husband was puzzled asking if the deacon was drunk and they were fearing he'd fall in or something. That's when he was handed the bylaws of the Church and read them for the first time. He explained to the deacon that this may be a problem as he'd had a beer with about half the congregation. Had to 86 that rule. But they'd still not speak of it and act the teetotaler part. Old habits die hard.

 

[BobRyan]

Just interested in your thoughts.

Drinking alcohol is a form of drug abuse. Alcohol is a drug. Taking drugs for recreational purposes is drug abuse.

If it is your view that not participating in drug abuse is a "better form of Christianity" then I would not object.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[BobRyan]

Its not wrong, unless you're an alcoholic or a recovering alcoholic[like myself].

All them AA classes pretty said the difference between a alcoholic and a casual drinker is the alcoholic has to have a drink, while a casual drinker doesn't.

Every form of drug abuse -- starts with recreational use and the claim "I am not addicted".

 

[Mama Kidogo]

Its not wrong, unless you're an alcoholic or a recovering alcoholic[like myself].

All them AA classes pretty said the difference between a alcoholic and a casual drinker is the alcoholic has to have a drink, while a casual drinker doesn't.

A drink? Most alcoholics I've met had to get pretty high.

I'm not even asking about getting plowed drunk and waking up asking yourself who this naked tattooed guy is in your bed. Pretty sure we'd all agree that's overindulging. i'm speaking of the glass of wine with dinner or even that bourbon on the rocks after dinner.
I'm no fan of drunkenness. Seems every time I read someone specific is drunk in scripture, something bad is about to happen. I've also found it to be true in life.

 

[Mama Kidogo]

Every form of drug abuse -- starts with recreational use and the claim "I am not addicted".

That's true as no one begins as an alcoholic or junkie. At the same time partaking does not lead most that far. I'm not sure about that term recreational. What does that really mean. Recreational getting drunk? Or drinking while watching sports?

There is one major difference between alcohol and so called recreational drugs. You can have a drink without seeking or getting a buzz. Can't say I've seen a drug user ever take it without the buzz being the goal.

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

Drinking alcohol is a form of drug abuse. Alcohol is a drug. Taking drugs for recreational purposes is drug abuse.

If it is your view that not participating in drug abuse is a "better form of Christianity" then I would not object.

in Christ,

Bob

First of all, define drug. You've defined alcohol as a drug. What makes it a drug? Is there no qualitative or quantitative difference between alcohol and cocaine on the one hand, or between alcohol and chocolate on the other?

Second, you've stated that any recreational substance use is abuse. That is an extreme form of begging the question. I admit that some substances can only be abused (heroin, cocaine). But is there no difference between sipping a glass of wine paired with a meal and getting smashed a kegger?

Third, Jesus, the apostles, and most of the ancient world drank wine on a daily basis. And please, oh please, don't give me any bunk about "new wine," because absent modern technology wine begins fermentation in the grape (hence why grape juice had to be invented just over a hundred years ago); new wine is actually more alcoholic and requires the aging process to all the alcohol content to go down.

 

[Albion]

Drinking alcohol is a form of drug abuse. Alcohol is a drug. Taking drugs for recreational purposes is drug abuse.

Considering that many "drugs" are beneficial, that a light to moderate use of wine is medically recommended, and that Jesus did it himself, I don't give your denomination's theory a moment's consideration.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

perhaps it can make people more "merciful" but then how are they without it?