Alcohol and Dancing

[LuxPerpetua]

Just curious here, and certainly not to debate, but I was wondering why Baptists object to these things? I can certainly understand not approving of getting drunk or MTV-style dancing, but I'm honestly curious as to why Baptists object to using alcohol in communion (or moderate consumption of alcohol at home), as well as to, let's say, ballroom-style dancing. I'm especially interested in the communion issue since Baptists are the only denom I know of that does this (although there are probably others, but *I* just don't know about them).

Thanks!

 

[Crimson Rose]

I'm not labeled as Baptist, but my husband is so I'll tell him to write you back

C Rose

 

[Jessica Lauren]

I don't know about the Alcohol thing, but for the dancing... plenty of Baptists dance.

 

[LuxPerpetua]

I was raised in an SBC church and no one I knew was allowed to dance. My grandparents' generation, though, was far more strict about that than my generation, but even still, dancing was considered a no-no. When hubby and I got married at a First Baptist church, we had our reception in the fellowship hall and had to sign a release saying that we would not have dancing, which was fine by us because we didn't want to step on each other's toes anyway. Hmmm. I am now getting more confused on the Baptist teaching on dancing. Maybe others will have an idea, too.

Also, still curious about the objection to alcohol, if anyone knows.

Thanks.

 

[BT]

Baptist churches are autonomous so you'll see variations.

 

[LuxPerpetua]

But all reject wine for use in communion, right?

 

[BT]

All that I've ever seen yeah.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I've never seen a baptist church use wine for communion.

Alcohol and dancing are not an issue in our baptist church and are quite common activities. Obviously getting drunk is not cool and neither is lewd dancing but nobody really worries about that happening.

I guess I should add that I don't remember any drinking or dancing in church, not necessarily because we think it is a sin, but simply because there usually is little reason to do either inside a church. Maybe it has happened and I see no reason that it would make any waves if it did.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

But all reject wine for use in communion, right?

Lux,
From what I understand the reason why wine is NOT used in communion is because it is fermented, meaning it is not of the first fruits of the vine, but aged wine. Whenever God dealt with sacrifices it was always something unspotted. He always retained the first fruits of everything. Fermented wine is not a first fruit but a by product of something old and used.
Its not about not having alchol in the church, there is a deeper meaning to this. Please my brothers and sister, feel free to correct me or elaborate more on this for Lux.
GEL
Ps. As far as dancing goes, the deeper reason why dancing is a no-no is because it glorifies the body or ones body, not GOD.

 

[BT]

Another reason for the use of juice that is more practical has to do with the possibility of recovering alcoholics in the body. If you were to give one of these people a small taste of wine it could really be a stumbling block...

 

[Gold Dragon]

I am now getting more confused on the Baptist teaching on dancing. Maybe others will have an idea, too.

Also, still curious about the objection to alcohol, if anyone knows.

As BT explained, baptist churches hold to a congregational style of church governance where each individual church is autonomous in determining policy and doctrine. So there isn't really an official "Baptist" teaching per se on these things.

Baptists have historically tended to be opposed to drinking, dancing and in some cases movies too. I have a feeling these are remnants of a decades old culture where "decent folk" didn't go to places that served alcohol, had dancing or movies.

While some baptists have found ways to use scripture to justify their prohibition of these activities, other baptists now find these positions to be biblically untenable.

 

[Matthan]

I was raised SB, and we did not dance in church or the annex. Dancing was allowed by any and all for any outside activity, including school dances for us kids.

As for alcohol, we did not use it in church. Grape juice was, indeed, "first fruits" to us, and it served all purposes quite well.

We were not prohibited from using alcohol in moderation at any time outside of church. I was born near the Chesapeake Bay, and a cold beer was required anytime steamed crabs were on the table (LOL).

Matthan

 

[LuxPerpetua]

Thanks for the info. That's been very helpful. I really wish they would have gone into a deeper explanation of these things while I was growing up in the Baptist church. It kind of helps if you know *why* you aren't supposed to do something that other Christian denoms are doing, kwim? GEL, you really have some good insights there. If anyone has something to add, feel free to continue. Very interesting.

 

[Mother Vashti]

I'm honestly curious as to why Baptists object to using alcohol in communion (or moderate consumption of alcohol at home), as well as to, let's say, ballroom-style dancing.

1.) We try to stop everyone else from drinking alcohol so more bottles are left on the shelves when we do our "hits" and load the goods up in unmarked trucks.

2.) Our pastors can't dance, and this way no one will ever know.

 

[BT]

1.) We try to stop everyone else from drinking alcohol so more bottles are left on the shelves when we do our "hits" and load the goods up in unmarked trucks.

2.) Our pastors can't dance, and this way no one will ever know.

ROFL

 

[12volt_man]

Just curious here, and certainly not to debate, but I was wondering why Baptists object to these things? I can certainly understand not approving of getting drunk or MTV-style dancing, but I'm honestly curious as to why Baptists object to using alcohol in communion (or moderate consumption of alcohol at home), as well as to, let's say, ballroom-style dancing. I'm especially interested in the communion issue since Baptists are the only denom I know of that does this (although there are probably others, but *I* just don't know about them).

Not all baptists disagree with these things.

I love to dance and when I play with my band, I really enjoy watching others dance and have a good time.

As for alcohol, I enjoy a Corona or two (no lime) here and there.

As for grape juice in communion, this didn't actually start until the late 19th century when the pastor of a church wanted to be able to include his alcoholic parishoners in the Lord's Supper, but didn't want to tempt them with wine.

 

[mesue]

We are called not to be an occasion for our bretheren to stumble.
If, by my drinking or dancing, I cause someone to do the same (because after all I did it, and I'm a Christian) and that person sins, my example became an occasion for that person to become weak and sin.
[Bible]Romans 14:21[/Bible]

 

[Busybee]

Wow, that SBC you got married at sounds more like a Church of Christ. COC have communion weekly and they never use alcohol either. They also don't believe in dancing at all. As well as no musical instruments of any kind in church.

 

[ZiSunka]

I'm not a baptist, I'm an anabaptist, but the reason that dancing and drinking are frowned upon are that they so easily promote immorality. Dancing and drinking in a bar often lead to extra-marital sex, and even dancing alone can lead to bad decisions. The point of dancing in today's culture is to attract and arouse the opposite sex, so it's frowned upon.

 

[seebs]

Hmm.

I guess, that sounds to me a little too much like banning cars because, after all, some people use them to get away from crime scenes. Drinking and dancing do not "lead to extramarital sex". People who have already decided to have extramarital sex may go out drinking and dancing, but they made up their minds before hand.