College Drinking

[MetalBlade]

I guess my problem with drinking at all is it alters your state of mind. Since I have never drank I would not be able to confirm this. But my understanding is that people drink to relax after a stressful moment or day or just to relax. So this soothing effect that it is having is the outside influence that I have a problem with. Why must we feel that drinking this liquid is an okay way to relax our bodies and minds when it has lead to such evil in this world. Is it not a depressant drug that can cause us to do things that we normally wouldn't? I relax by praying and marvoling at God's works in this world. It brings me such peace and serenity. So, why is it ok to drink, even if it is just "a couple drinks??" What does it do for us that God can't?

Please don't take this message the wrong way. I'm frustrated and looking for these answers that I have long been seeking. Please share with me your thoughts on why God approves of this type of leisurement. Thanks

I guess because you don't drink the stuff then you really don't understand. Which trust me is a good thing!!!! People drink alcohol to get drunk, not to relax or become unstressed. Well some people do, but college kids drink to get drunk and quote "have a good time" unquote. Like when I put a hard days work in or get done mowing the lawn, I grab a beer, to relax. I hardly get wasted anymore, but people do it because it is a social thing, and what not. I am usually the DD when me and my friends go to bars.

Your right that it is a drug. And there are other things that I do to relax me, in fact drinking is probably the last thing I do that relaxes me. You have to face the reality that college kids are immature. Mix that with alcohol and you have a recipe for disaster. I guess all you could do is pray for these souls, and just be glad you know better.

 

[CinNaMin46]

This is my first post here, I actually just stumbled across this website tonight while I was playing around since I couldn't sleep. I read this topic and registered as a member just so that I would be able to respond.

As for the subject of college and drinking, it is definitely an issue. I am a Christian. I attend a large public University in Florida. And I drink. Sometimes a lot. To be completely honest, I drank a beer with my brother just a few hours ago.

For those of you who haven't ever drank or been drunk before: don't. Please maintain your innocence. Yes, it impairs your judgement. Often times to extremes, depending on how much you drink. You will say things and do things that you wouldn't normally say or do, usually things that you shouldn't be saying or shouldn't be doing. Things you will regret the next morning, if you even remember it.

I'm struggling with this right now. All of my friends drink. I work in a bar type atmosphere. I'm around alcohol every single day of my life. And I'm not very good at resisting the temptation. I read a few posts that said drinking should be okay as long as you aren't getting drunk. But not everyone can do that. If I'm drinking, it's not because I love the taste of one beer....if I start drinking, it's because I want to feel the effects of the alcohol. I want to giggle and laugh and feel more social and less stressed. If I start drinking, I usually don't stop until after I'm already drunk. I don't have an alcohol problem, if everyone would be completely honest, I'm sure there are other people reading this that do the same thing.

I have some amazingly fun and exciting stories and memories resulting from nights going out and drinking with my friends. It has sometimes brought me closer to my friends and made it easier to meet new people.

But alcohol has also hurt me. Like I said earlier, for those of you that don't know from experience, you definitely do things that you wouldn't normally do. Two weeks ago, in all wastedness, I ended up kissing this guy that I was secretly crushing on. He only kissed me because he was drunk, too, and once I figured out a few days later that it had nothing to do with ME and he actually isn't interested in me at all, I felt like trash, I cried about it, and now I want to go dig myself a hole every time I see him b/c I'm slightly hurt and mostly embarassed.

Because it's so routine for me, I honestly can't even imagine trying to stop drinking altogether. This sounds bad, but I don't really want to stop. But I am a Christian and I do have God in my life. It's just such a shady issue with so many grey areas. Does anyone else know what I'm feeling?

xoxo
Beth

 

[SHEApherd]

Here is a link to where some good discussion is also taking place on this same topic.

http://www.christianforums.com/t1166814-will-drinking-send-you-to-hell.html

In High School I used to drink much more and now that I am of age enjoy it less and less each day. Last night was going out to a fancy bar to sample beers.

I had one from Slovakia, one from Colorado and one from San Francisco. I wasn't drunk, and I walked out without being ill. I like socially drinking, and so does the bible. The problem is when it becomes a focus and pulls you away from Christ. That I try not to do anymore.

I have not been "drunk" since we had those 3 hurricanes in Florida, and class was cancelled and the power was out. Wasn't anything else to do but eat and drink everyone before it went bad.

For each person it is different, I personally am not trying to get drunk, I thnk it is inappropriate, and doesn't focus on the body as a temple. Just my 2 cents. Love to hear what others think.

 

[SHEApherd]

Because it's so routine for me, I honestly can't even imagine trying to stop drinking altogether. This sounds bad, but I don't really want to stop. But I am a Christian and I do have God in my life. It's just such a shady issue with so many grey areas. Does anyone else know what I'm feeling?

xoxo
Beth

I do know what you are feeling. While I don't work at a bar or such, my roomate is a non-Christian who loves to drink and have a good time.

When I moved in, I moved in knowing this, and my good friends were worried he'd have more effect on me than I'd have on him. It has become quite the contrary.

While he still gets drunk, it doesn't happen as much. I think that is growth for him, and shows us all getting more control and directed in our lives

When I go out, I just try to take it easy. Last night I just enjoyed being social. I've realized that trying to be happy with drinks is no where near as fun and just being yourself and enjoying life.

I won't say stop drinking. You enjoy it, and I don't think the bible says anything to say not to be social in your drinking. But I do believe that there is a point where you can take it too far.

Letting yourself get drunk is also exposing you to problems that you might be able to deal with better sober. I'm not saying don't drink, just be careful who you are around, make sure you are with, and safe. I am trying not to get drunk, but to each his own. Just know that when the alcohol becomes the focus of your life for a night, you aren't focusing on what is most important, and that is Christ and yourself.

I'm right there with you, don't worry, and welcome

 

[Inperfected]

I'm one of these unlucky girls... the only alcohol i've ever had without throwing up is ouzo... And i get sick for days, so i'm not really a drinker...

But hoenstly i don't have a major issue with drinking until you start geting addicted to it...

 

[Rokusho]

I personally do not drink. I have never had any interest in drinking and see no reason to start now.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

When is it ok, when is it too far, and what does God say about it?

Drinking is ok when you are of legal drinking age. Drinking goes to far when a person gets drunk. God's Word, the Bible, says that drunkeness is sin.

I personally am highly against it and I really don't like to be surrounded by people who do drink.

AVOID frat parties then. There are some rare exceptions to this though. For exanple, last time I checked the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity had a ban on drinking at all fraternity events that all chapters must abide by. Check the website or talk to a member to verify this.

It is a big issue for me because I feel like everyone but me and my boyfriend have been drunk at one time or another.

Just looking for other views and possibly some ways to look past this when meeting others.

Are there any Christian clubs on your campus? Do you have a Sigma Phi Lambda (it's a national Christian open sorority) chapter on your campus? Of course get involved with a local church!

Don't knock it till ya tried it.

1. I don't think that stating that you have no interest in drinking, and that you're not going to start anytime soon is "knocking" drinking.

2. You have a dangerous view and poor logic. How about heroin or cocaine? Should we not knock illeagal drugs because we haven't tried them? I think not.

diane

 

[Inperfected]

Ok drinking.. I personally hadn't tried it til i was 17 (Here you are allowed to drink under parental supervision, or after 18). Then i had 3 drinks on my 18th bday (got very sick too, and no it wasn't over my limits...

Then about 2-3 months later i was dumped after a year, and i went looking for alcohol... GLADLY, i didnt have the guts to get drunk, and drunk a bottle of ouzo over 3 months...

i've been drunk twice. or twice where i couldn't walk straight, i don't consider it drunk, as my body was affected, but not my mind


and the only alcohol i drink now is the ones i like, but can't get the taste from in non alcy drinks... particually ouzo... mmmm aniseed...

 

[Rossi]

From reading this thread i can see the the legal age for drinking is 21 in America.In Ireland its 18 in the pubs and 16 at home with your parents.But this is not a true reflection.Im in fifth year(17 year olds) and everyone in my year drinks in the pubs at the weekend (apart from me and the rest of the Christian population in my year).They all have fake id's but there not even checked!!!

Ireland has a bad drinking mentality where its ok to drink.I mean one of our teachers said he was annoyed when he met a 15 year old student drinking in the same pub as him!!!!!!!This was one of his own studants

 

[TravellingGrace]

The legal drinking age for Canada is 19. I think it's a fine line for drinking. A lot of my friends at college drank, but in their own apartment or at a pub. I personally don't drink, and I've never been drunk. I have tried a sip of other peoples' drinks before to see what it tastes like, but that's not very much at all. I think drinking is ok in moderation, but if you start to get even buzzed, or a bit tipsy, then you take it to far. Jesus drank wine as well (mind you, it was 10 times more diluted, and it took a lot more to get drunk, but still) but he never got drunk. I go to a bible college, so if you're underage and caught drinking there's consequences. Plus, you nobody is allowed to drink on campus.

 

[lesleythegreat]

I don't think drinking is wrong, but when it is done to the point of drunkeness is when it needs to stop. You have no control over yourself, sometimes you don't even remember what you do when you're drunk. yeah, i've been there, and i don't plan on being that drunk again. being drunk is not honoring God with your body
[BIBLE]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from Christ. you are not your own, you have been bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body.
[/BIBLE]

 

[freddd]

Waaaa

 

[awesome liver]

i quite enjoy getting drunk and stoned on the occasional weekend. it's amusing and fun when you're in the right company. it's a question of right and wrong cos really, this thread serves no purpose other than to say "oh i don't drink cos it's wrong blah blah blah." it's very self serving, no?

 

[HiLaReE320]

I, personally, find it ironic that Christians go out and get drunk. It is one of the WORST witnessing things you can ever do, especially in this day and age. Jesus called us to be not of this world, which means in our thoughts as well as our actions. What if you KNEW that one of the friends you "party" with on the weekends was not saved? What if you at some point told that person you were a Christian, yet you still participate in the same disgusting activities as the unbeliever? As Christians, we are called to be a light in the darkness -- not just another part of the darkness. Not only does getting drunk ruin your credibility when you tell an unbeliever you're a Christian (I'm just being honest here), but it is a sin. An often deadly sin. Getting drunk on the weekends is a lifestyle just like homosexuality. I find it ironic that the same "Christians" that are found in the pubs (not witnessing to the lost, but encouraging the lost's lifestyle indirectly) are the same that want to knock homosexuals.

Don't get me wrong, Jesus loves every one of us. I just want to make those of you who say you're a Christian (and that's between you and the Lord) think that your actions could be helping others go to Hell for an eternity. We are suppose to be the example! How can you do that when you are there participating in the same activities that Satan absolutely loves?

People want to say that social drinking is ok, because Jesus did it. What other drinks did they have around back then? Did they have a hundred other drinks to choose from like we do today? Most of the time they couldn't even drink water! Wine was the only drink that wasn't ridden with disease! I'm sure that if Jesus was around today and went to a party to talk to the lost, He would get a coke or water or something else. Try it. Trust me, people will know you're different and they'll ask why.

What we all need to realize is that unbelievers judge Christians more than we will ever realize. We need to stand firm in Christ as an example. Do you think that Johnny the Athiest isn't laughing to himself everytime you say you're going to church the morning after you get "wasted"? Do you know what they call people like that? "Hypocritical Christians".. I'm not saying Christians should be perfect, but PLEASE realize the example you are to people! If you say you are a Christian, then darn it, live it! Christ died for us, the least we can do is live for Him.

 

[feo]

Dr. Pepper is icky!!! Beer is icky!!!! I don't understand you ppl. Why not some some good old fashioned fruit juice?!

Mixed with rum?
You know it!

 

[feo]

I, personally, find it ironic that Christians go out and get drunk. It is one of the WORST witnessing things you can ever do, especially in this day and age. Jesus called us to be not of this world, which means in our thoughts as well as our actions. What if you KNEW that one of the friends you "party" with on the weekends was not saved? What if you at some point told that person you were a Christian, yet you still participate in the same disgusting activities as the unbeliever? As Christians, we are called to be a light in the darkness -- not just another part of the darkness. Not only does getting drunk ruin your credibility when you tell an unbeliever you're a Christian (I'm just being honest here), but it is a sin. An often deadly sin. Getting drunk on the weekends is a lifestyle just like homosexuality. I find it ironic that the same "Christians" that are found in the pubs (not witnessing to the lost, but encouraging the lost's lifestyle indirectly) are the same that want to knock homosexuals.

Don't get me wrong, Jesus loves every one of us. I just want to make those of you who say you're a Christian (and that's between you and the Lord) think that your actions could be helping others go to Hell for an eternity. We are suppose to be the example! How can you do that when you are there participating in the same activities that Satan absolutely loves?

People want to say that social drinking is ok, because Jesus did it. What other drinks did they have around back then? Did they have a hundred other drinks to choose from like we do today? Most of the time they couldn't even drink water! Wine was the only drink that wasn't ridden with disease! I'm sure that if Jesus was around today and went to a party to talk to the lost, He would get a coke or water or something else. Try it. Trust me, people will know you're different and they'll ask why.

What we all need to realize is that unbelievers judge Christians more than we will ever realize. We need to stand firm in Christ as an example. Do you think that Johnny the Athiest isn't laughing to himself everytime you say you're going to church the morning after you get "wasted"? Do you know what they call people like that? "Hypocritical Christians".. I'm not saying Christians should be perfect, but PLEASE realize the example you are to people! If you say you are a Christian, then darn it, live it! Christ died for us, the least we can do is live for Him.

Jesus was VERY clear that it is NOT what goes into your body that defiles us- but what comes out. Being drunk and drinking are not the same thing.

 

[BeautyForAshes]

I, personally, find it ironic that Christians go out and get drunk. It is one of the WORST witnessing things you can ever do, especially in this day and age. Jesus called us to be not of this world, which means in our thoughts as well as our actions. What if you KNEW that one of the friends you "party" with on the weekends was not saved? What if you at some point told that person you were a Christian, yet you still participate in the same disgusting activities as the unbeliever? As Christians, we are called to be a light in the darkness -- not just another part of the darkness. Not only does getting drunk ruin your credibility when you tell an unbeliever you're a Christian (I'm just being honest here), but it is a sin. An often deadly sin. Getting drunk on the weekends is a lifestyle just like homosexuality. I find it ironic that the same "Christians" that are found in the pubs (not witnessing to the lost, but encouraging the lost's lifestyle indirectly) are the same that want to knock homosexuals.

Don't get me wrong, Jesus loves every one of us. I just want to make those of you who say you're a Christian (and that's between you and the Lord) think that your actions could be helping others go to Hell for an eternity. We are suppose to be the example! How can you do that when you are there participating in the same activities that Satan absolutely loves?

People want to say that social drinking is ok, because Jesus did it. What other drinks did they have around back then? Did they have a hundred other drinks to choose from like we do today? Most of the time they couldn't even drink water! Wine was the only drink that wasn't ridden with disease! I'm sure that if Jesus was around today and went to a party to talk to the lost, He would get a coke or water or something else. Try it. Trust me, people will know you're different and they'll ask why.

What we all need to realize is that unbelievers judge Christians more than we will ever realize. We need to stand firm in Christ as an example. Do you think that Johnny the Athiest isn't laughing to himself everytime you say you're going to church the morning after you get "wasted"? Do you know what they call people like that? "Hypocritical Christians".. I'm not saying Christians should be perfect, but PLEASE realize the example you are to people! If you say you are a Christian, then darn it, live it! Christ died for us, the least we can do is live for Him.

and

but I also want to speak on something else - and that is during college, drinking is the #1 cause of date rape - with through physical violence or through the use of drugs such as roofies. These drugs are undetechable in drinks and can take affect in less than 15 minutes of consumption. here is a website that talks about the kinds of drugs used and to watch out for http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=HQ00507

Please don't think for a second that it can't happen to you because you've known your friends 'forever" or because you don't drink to get drunk. All it takes is one pill in your drink, or for a "friend" to get excessively drunk.

Also, check out these stats from Cal Poly's website.
http://hcs.calpoly.edu/peerhealth/alcohol/info_students_stats.html
Here are just a few:
~90% of all campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by either the assailant or the victim. (90%!!! )
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]~As many as 70% of college students admit to having engaged in sexual activity primarily as a result of being under the influence of alcohol, or to having sex they wouldn't have had if they had been sober.[/font]
~159,000 of today's first- year college students will drop out of school next year for alcohol- or other drug-related reasons. The average student spends about $900 on alcohol each year. Do you want to know how much cash the average student drops on his or her books? About $450.



Be careful. the word doesn't speak on drinking for no reason.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Generally college drinking has nothing to do with appreciating a fine ale.
They find the cheapest beer they can and consume enough of it to intoxicate an elephant.

I am morally opposed to that simply because of the quantity over quality attitude. College drinking to me is a way to waste yourself and waste evenings that could be special by making them a ridiculous display of stupidity and intoxication.

I remember evenings of listening to music in my friends studio while drinking a good beer. Just enjoying everything, the music, the conversation, the mood.
This is much more attractive to me than pretending to surf on a picnic table while drunk and naked, wearing only a santa hat.
Never ever drink cheap beer in the company of people who are that stupid.

 

[Inperfected]

Um, but how many of those are non-christians?

From what i've seen, people who get drunk often are really trying to get away from something. Either in their world, or inside them, so why judge them...

I think love and practical other ideas, that you do with them, is really the best way to do it.

I had time drinking and that at the start of the year, and admittedly i was just trying to escape the pain of a past breakup, but people telling me not to and why, and they didn't wanna see me get hurt, really helped to stop me doing it...

But it has to be done in love.

 

[LaxItUp]

What is college drinking? Binge drinking or simply drinking while in college?
As far as binge drinking, if you are drinking for the sole purpose of getting drunk, then obviously it is wrong.
Drinking while in college- truly depends upon the person.