Views on alcohol....

Buddhists differ, but some sects of Buddhism are very much against it. Some think that a little leads to a lot.

I used to drink heavily in college, and didn't see a point of drinking without at least a buzz to stumbling drunk. I learned a lot about it - mostly, that I don't like to get drunk, don't like how I act, what I say, or how I feel afterward. However, that is worlds apart from having a drink.

Personally, I live by the rule that I should love my neighbor as myself. Am I harming myself or others by having a glass of wine or a beer while I watch the US Open? If no, then I have it. If yes (offending my parents, tempting a recovered alcoholic), then I don't. It's pretty much that simple for me.

In Minneapolis, there are a lot of Muslim cabdrivers. Muslims don't drink at all. They are not to even be around it (a party, a bar, etc.). The problems came when the taxi drivers refused to pick up a customer because they were bringing a bottle of wine to their guests. It was unopened, of course, but one person said that 17 cabbies past him. Seems like trying to follow the law so much that you are making more of a problem than what it helps.

I don't drink. I come from generations of alcoholics and it would be foolish for me to drink. Too many negative consequences associated with alcoholic beverages and I am glad I made the choice.

Carlie said:

Denominations differ in their views concerning the use of alcohol....
Whats your view?.....religiously speaking.

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A little here or there is fine, just don't get drunk (though you are excused the first time because you don't know your limits, assuming you stop soon after getting drunk). Really though, I say it is in the heart of things.

I can never understand why some peeps drink to stumbling drunkness on a regular basis.
I don't drink. But when I turn 21 I'm buying a bottle of Vodka for kicks. And then I'm gonna put that Vodka in a drawer and leave it there for the next 20 years.

I'm more interested in what God can teach us about drinking alcohol via His Word than I am what man teaches via religion. I've thoroghly studied the Bible with regards to alcohol consumption and come to the following conclusion: Consuming alcohol is NOT evil, unclean, impure, sinful. Christians can use their freewill to make a choice to consume alcohol...and even thank God for it...BUT must avoid consuming too much too frequently. The Bible speaks of the final destiny of drunkards. A drunkard is someone who is frequently drunk. Someone can become drunk and not be a drunkard. The Bible speaks against drunkenness...but it is the lifestyle of drunkenness...that of a drunkard that is to be avoided at all cost. A child of God can consume alcohol in moderation with confidence before our Lord. I can delve into scripture if necessary. The easiest way to relate to this is through the action of our Lord Jesus Christ at the wedding feast...when he turned water into wine...His first miracle as documented by the Gospel writers. It was custom to serve the best wine first...then after everyone was "merry" from their wine...break-out the not-so-good wine and guests would be so "merry" they wouldn't notice the difference. The wine that Jesus made was so good that they remarked he had "saved the best for last". See...he made wine AFTER everyone had their fill and exhausted all of the wine. My point? Jesus wouldn't make wine and then give it to folks that had already had their fill if that violated the nature of God...because God can't violate his own nature. Therefore...in the words of Solomon..."drink your wine with a joyful heart".

Hugs,
chingchang

Steelerbred33 said:

I don't drink. I come from generations of alcoholics and it would be foolish for me to drink. Too many negative consequences associated with alcoholic beverages and I am glad I made the choice.

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I don't mean to derail the thread, but would you mind adding how people react when you don't drink? When I first started college, I had read Sipping Saints, and was told by some friends that all drinking was wrong. (They drank grape juice for Communion.) I went to a Lutheran School, and on my first day, my RA was giving us an orientation, asking us about ourselves, and then asked if we drank (which I don't think I could legally at that point anyway.) I said no, and he said, "no? Not at all? Never???" I found it kind of annoying, since 75% of Americans identify as Christian, but drinking, and drinking heavily, was readily accepted (despite the damage it can cause, what the bible says about drinking, drunk driving, etc.), while abstaining is not.

I respect people who don't drink at all, especially since from a societal position it is a difficult stand to take, and don't ask all the "why???"'s because I don't think that it is something that one should need to justify.

I drink Beer. I'll have 2 beers before supper a few times a week. Actually, now that holidays are over, I usually wait until friday and saturday nights, now that I'm back at work.

Once a month or so, I might have 4 or 5 beers. Anymore than 5 and I run the risk of getting hung over the next day, I hate hang overs more than anyone could possibly imagine.

Once a year or year and half, I may get blindingly drunk, but the hang overs nearly kill me. So, needless to say, that is why those times are so spread out.

Beanieboy said:

I don't mean to derail the thread, but would you mind adding how people react when you don't drink? When I first started college, I had read Sipping Saints, and was told by some friends that all drinking was wrong. (They drank grape juice for Communion.) I went to a Lutheran School, and on my first day, my RA was giving us an orientation, asking us about ourselves, and then asked if we drank (which I don't think I could legally at that point anyway.) I said no, and he said, "no? Not at all? Never???" I found it kind of annoying, since 75% of Americans identify as Christian, but drinking, and drinking heavily, was readily accepted (despite the damage it can cause, what the bible says about drinking, drunk driving, etc.), while abstaining is not.

I respect people who don't drink at all, especially since from a societal position it is a difficult stand to take, and don't ask all the "why???"'s because I don't think that it is something that one should need to justify.

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Most people are shocked, amazed, and quite complimentary. My mom brags to her friends about it!

Some people just flat out don't believe me and I know that can be annoying. If they continue with more questions, I simply say that my father was an alcoholic and I have seen the negative effects of it. But nearly everyone respects my decision.

StarCannon said:

I can never understand why some peeps drink to stumbling drunkness on a regular basis.

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Because it's awesome.

Beanieboy said:

I don't mean to derail the thread, but would you mind adding how people react when you don't drink? When I first started college, I had read Sipping Saints, and was told by some friends that all drinking was wrong. (They drank grape juice for Communion.) I went to a Lutheran School, and on my first day, my RA was giving us an orientation, asking us about ourselves, and then asked if we drank (which I don't think I could legally at that point anyway.) I said no, and he said, "no? Not at all? Never???" I found it kind of annoying, since 75% of Americans identify as Christian, but drinking, and drinking heavily, was readily accepted (despite the damage it can cause, what the bible says about drinking, drunk driving, etc.), while abstaining is not.

I respect people who don't drink at all, especially since from a societal position it is a difficult stand to take, and don't ask all the "why???"'s because I don't think that it is something that one should need to justify.

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I find it odd that people make a thing about how little I drink. I do enjoy the taste of beer and other drinks, but because I'm not used to alcohol and because of medication, I strictly limit myself to one drink even at a party. It's odd that people comment on it or care at all. It's not like I'm killing their fun and I don't have trouble interacting with people who are inebriated. How do they even notice that I've stopped drinking early?

More than anything else, a dear departed person in my family struggled, and won, over alcoholism, and I think it would be disrespectful to his memory if I knew all he went through and still thought nothing of getting drunk.

the bible leaves some consession for a drink every now and then, unless you are the head of a chruch

Leviticus 10
8And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying,
9Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

I drink alcohol on occasion now and then. Ill have a glass of wine with a meal, sometimes some cider or a spirit like vodka of an evening but usually only about four times a month and I don't get drunk.

I used to (back in my teenage years before I was 18 and it was legal to drink too) have a bit of a problem with alchohol, I'd drink to get through the day due to depression etc.. and it wasnt a good time. Fortunately I am way past that now.

Alchohol is fine when used in moderation.

Non-denom Christian. Alcohol in moderation and my views aren't based so much on faith but on health and safety, binge drinking can be very bad for your health, and drinking until you're so drunk you don't know what you're doing can be dangerous in other ways.

I very much agree with the Muslim doctrine on alcohol. That is, to keep away from it.

Drinking alcohol is accepted in my church (catholic), but drunkenness is condemned.

I drink alcohol (mainly red wine) for the taste: good wine can give you one of the most complex taste sensations (tea is another example). I drink wine mostly with meals because food and wine go so well together (I always try to make a perfect match - I enjoy cooking, too). I can't deny that I've been drunk a couple of times, but it hasn't happened for a very long time now. For your health it's best to not drink more than 1-3 (1-2 for females, 2-3 for males) glasses a day and have at least 2 alcohol-free days a week. I follow that regime - but sometimes at a party I drink a little more than that.

RebekkaH said:

Drinking alcohol is accepted in my church (catholic), but drunkenness is condemned.

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My family's Catholic, and I think condemned is a little strong. Drunkenness, whatever the official party line, is frowned upon, but tolerated.

It might be interesting to see statistics on the correlation, if any, between religion and consumption of alcohol. I know plenty of people who self-identify as Muslims but who drink alcohol, and plenty of people whose faith (if any) does not ban alcohol, but who don't drink for other reasons. I just wonder if statistics would determine that religion is a significant contributory factor or if it's just used as a primary reason by people who might choose not to drink even if their religion allowed it.