Drinking??

[Jesusfreak811]

Hey everyone! I wanted to ask everyone's opinion on alcohol. I'v never really drank alot... even before I came to know the Lord. However, all through the year a friend of the family has parties (like halloween, Christmas eve, new years, ect.) and usually everyone has a few drinks. These are not the kind of parties where everyone gets drunk, has sex with someone they don't know, and passes out. It's just simple, friends getting together having a few drinks. My question to all of you is, how do you think God feels about alcohol?? Do you think that it is a sin?? Is is it a sin? Alot of people convert back to the bible about it. They say that Jesus drank wine. Well, my youth pastor used to tell us that if we could make wine the way the Lord did then we should feel free to drink. I don't know... I'm confused about it! Saturday is the Christmas eve party and I don't want to do anything to up set the Lord.

God bless,
Teresa

 

[Buttermilk]

IMHO (but others do have different views), I have no problems with taking a few drinks, and being in the company of those who drink, but respect those who choose not to drink.

No I do not think personally it is a sin.

At the end of the day nobody can make the choice for you, it has to be your decision wheither or not you want to drink.

 

[LiberatedChick]

I don't think drinking is a sin. Especially not when it's just a few drinks around friends/family.

I think if you regulary binge drink and basically drink to get drunk (I used to) then it becomes a problem....but a few drinks at special occasions is fine.

 

[bumblebee62331]

I don't think drinking is a sin. I think drinking simply to become drunk, or drinking to escape from your real problems is a bad choice, but it's up to you. I guess we all learn from our mistakes. As long as you drink with friends and sensibly, then that can be quite enjoyable.

However, as my liver doesn't break down alcohol, I can't say I'm a big drinker.

 

[Sketcher]

First of all, drinking is overrated.

Second, while having a single drink is not a sin, it is if you are underage (Rom 13:1-7).

Third, no one should ever mix drinking with driving, shooting, boating, etc.

Fourth, people respect sobriety and proper boundaries on drinking. I might have a drink but none if I'm driving. And when I was underage it was my conviction not to drink a single drop, and to my surprise people (who drank, no less) respected that.

 

[bumblebee62331]

First of all, drinking is overrated.

Second, while having a single drink is not a sin, it is if you are underage (Rom 13:1-7).

Third, no one should ever mix drinking with driving, shooting, boating, etc.

Fourth, people respect sobriety and proper boundaries on drinking. I might have a drink but none if I'm driving. And when I was underage it was my conviction not to drink a single drop, and to my surprise people (who drank, no less) respected that.

Of course our replies were taking into consideration that doing anything illegal is a sin. It sounds like you have had some bad experiences with drinking? Drinking isn't scary - nobody really cares if you don't want to drink, and you certainly aren't expected to drink and drive. It all depends on the friends you have, which is why I recommend that you drink in a safe place, with trusted and sensible friends.

 

[Sketcher]

Of course our replies were taking into consideration that doing anything illegal is a sin. It sounds like you have had some bad experiences with drinking? Drinking isn't scary - nobody really cares if you don't want to drink, and you certainly aren't expected to drink and drive. It all depends on the friends you have, which is why I recommend that you drink in a safe place, with trusted and sensible friends.

No I haven't had a bad experience with drinking, nor do I plan to. Alcoholism runs in my family, and my dad broke with tradition. I plan to carry on his legacy. But being as I don't know where the OP is from, there is a chance she'd be underage (the drinking age is 21 where I live). Underage drinking is always a sin whether you get drunk or not, yet Christians still engage in it like it's no big deal. That bothers me. I've also known non-drinkers who hung out at the wrong parties in college and became drinkers. That bothers me more. Also, drinking seems to be a requirement for "real" fun in our culture, which is a myth. I think it's one of the Ten Commandments of our decandent society.

 

[Buttermilk]

If you take a drink (even one drink IMHO), you shouldn't drive, that goes without saying.

As to the age thing, it depends where she is. The legal age in the UK for example is 18.

 

[bumblebee62331]

No I haven't had a bad experience with drinking, nor do I plan to. Alcoholism runs in my family, and my dad broke with tradition. I plan to carry on his legacy. But being as I don't know where the OP is from, there is a chance she'd be underage (the drinking age is 21 where I live). Underage drinking is always a sin whether you get drunk or not, yet Christians still engage in it like it's no big deal. That bothers me. I've also known non-drinkers who hung out at the wrong parties in college and became drinkers. That bothers me more. Also, drinking seems to be a requirement for "real" fun in our culture, which is a myth. I think it's one of the Ten Commandments of our decandent society.

I'm sorry you grew up in that community. Perhaps it's different here in Australia because although many people like to drink, it's not compulsary for fun. I think there is nothing wrong with having a glass of wine in your parents house when you are underage, with their permission and supervision. However, I think when it comes to drinking of age, you've still got to figure out if you are mature enough to handle it.

Teresa - where are you from? Are you of age to drink?

 

[Sketcher]

I'm sorry you grew up in that community. Perhaps it's different here in Australia because although many people like to drink, it's not compulsary for fun. I think there is nothing wrong with having a glass of wine in your parents house when you are underage, with their permission and supervision. However, I think when it comes to drinking of age, you've still got to figure out if you are mature enough to handle it.

It's not just my community, it's America nationwide. People need to know that sobriety and responsibility are just as cool if not cooler than drinking. And that doesn't mean missing out on crazy fun.

 

[bumblebee62331]

It's not just my community, it's America nationwide. People need to know that sobriety and responsibility are just as cool if not cooler than drinking. And that doesn't mean missing out on crazy fun.

Community = where you live. I keep forgetting that America is huuuuge.

 

[Jesusfreak811]

I'm sorry you grew up in that community. Perhaps it's different here in Australia because although many people like to drink, it's not compulsary for fun. I think there is nothing wrong with having a glass of wine in your parents house when you are underage, with their permission and supervision. However, I think when it comes to drinking of age, you've still got to figure out if you are mature enough to handle it.

Teresa - where are you from? Are you of age to drink?

I am from Virginia ... no I am not of age to drink. There is a big diffrence between getting drunk and having a few drinks. In the past when I drank, I never made a sceen or got into any trouble. Like you said, I see nothing wrong with having a little to drink in a safe place. Growing up, my parents never minded if I drank a glass of wine at dinner with them. What is "underage" anyways. A 35 year old can be far less mature than a 18 year old. I am 19, married and I have a child... I feel that I am "of age" to drink. Ya know? Anyways, hope that answered your question

 

[pibsts]

i'm 23...and have drank quite a bit...not like all at once, but throughout the years. i have been drunk a few times. as far as sin goes...ya really have to consider the intent behind drinking. if you drink to loosen ya up then i think that's okay, but if ya drink to allow yourself to do stupid things and go crazy, then maybe. sometimes when i go out to a bar or whatnot, the guys who are drunk usually are more negative and want to cause trouble where the girls seem all giggly and happy. so i dunno...just watch what you do when you drink. i don't think it's initially a sin to drink any time at any age. the 21 limit is to prevent younger people not to make poor decisions...which i believe the poor decision lead to sin.

 

[bumblebee62331]

I am from Virginia ... no I am not of age to drink. There is a big diffrence between getting drunk and having a few drinks. In the past when I drank, I never made a sceen or got into any trouble. Like you said, I see nothing wrong with having a little to drink in a safe place. Growing up, my parents never minded if I drank a glass of wine at dinner with them. What is "underage" anyways. A 35 year old can be far less mature than a 18 year old. I am 19, married and I have a child... I feel that I am "of age" to drink. Ya know? Anyways, hope that answered your question

I don't think it's a sin to drink underage but it's definitely wrong. You can drink in your own home though. It's just that if you go out and drink in a public place or anywhere off your property you can get arrested.

You only have to be 18 to be able to drink in Australia. I think 21 is rediculous. Maybe that's why so many people in America drink earlier and rebel? Like on Dr Phill and Oprah, when we see all these kids gone wild..?

 

[Sketcher]

I am from Virginia ... no I am not of age to drink. There is a big diffrence between getting drunk and having a few drinks. In the past when I drank, I never made a sceen or got into any trouble. Like you said, I see nothing wrong with having a little to drink in a safe place. Growing up, my parents never minded if I drank a glass of wine at dinner with them. What is "underage" anyways. A 35 year old can be far less mature than a 18 year old. I am 19, married and I have a child... I feel that I am "of age" to drink. Ya know? Anyways, hope that answered your question

Well, since you're underage, I'm sorry but you're sinning. I think it's stupid yes, but we do have to follow the laws. I personally wish that people could drink at 18, just like voting and just about everything else. But you've got to go with what you have.

 

[Sketcher]

You only have to be 18 to be able to drink in Australia. I think 21 is rediculous. Maybe that's why so many people in America drink earlier and rebel? Like on Dr Phill and Oprah, when we see all these kids gone wild..?

Kids drink as young as 14 here. And they get plastered. The 18 thing doesn't matter to them, obviously. The drinking age used to be 18 in my state, but it got raised again to 19 and raised yet again to 21 because most of the 18-21 year olds do not vote.

Like I said before, the American drinking culture is very irresponsible. When you compare it to France or Germany there is a big difference. What can I say, they can drink but we can drive.

 

[Audiomechanic]

I believe that drinking is ok but drunkeness is not. I have a beer every now and then, mostly to relax me so I can sleep. When I'm out with friends, I never have more than about 3 because that's the point where I begin to get tipsy and my inhibitions are lowered to the point that I will not hear/feel the Holy Spirit in me. I never want to be drunk to the point where I become detached from God and alchohol can most certainly do that.

 

[pibsts]

yeah i agree, but i think its knowing your limit on when you think your mind detaches away from God that when it becomes a sin. a person can down 10 beers and be drunk, but if his mind is still in control...i don't think that's really a sin.

 

[Buttermilk]

. When you compare it to France or Germany there is a big difference. What can I say, they can drink but we can drive.

You need to be 18 to drive in France, but in Germany and the UK it is 17, so it is only a year of difference. IMHO 16 is a bit young to be driving anyway - teenagers tend to be irresponsible at that age (even at 17 and 18, but a little less so)

 

[AceHero]

First of all, drinking is overrated.

Second, while having a single drink is not a sin, it is if you are underage (Rom 13:1-7).

Third, no one should ever mix drinking with driving, shooting, boating, etc.

Fourth, people respect sobriety and proper boundaries on drinking. I might have a drink but none if I'm driving. And when I was underage it was my conviction not to drink a single drop, and to my surprise people (who drank, no less) respected that.

Right. I don't personally think that controlled social drinking is wrong, but it can easily become out of hand, especially among younger people.

I am from Virginia ... no I am not of age to drink. There is a big diffrence between getting drunk and having a few drinks. In the past when I drank, I never made a sceen or got into any trouble. Like you said, I see nothing wrong with having a little to drink in a safe place. Growing up, my parents never minded if I drank a glass of wine at dinner with them. What is "underage" anyways. A 35 year old can be far less mature than a 18 year old. I am 19, married and I have a child... I feel that I am "of age" to drink. Ya know? Anyways, hope that answered your question

Well, since you're underage, I'm sorry but you're sinning. I think it's stupid yes, but we do have to follow the laws. I personally wish that people could drink at 18, just like voting and just about everything else. But you've got to go with what you have.

Just because you think you're mature doesn't mean you're old enough. Rules are rules.

I personally believe that 21 should continue to be the bare minimum for the drinking age in America. There's no reason to lower it. "But at 18 I could be fighting in Iraq, but I can't drink!" you might say. True, but we're not forcing you to do either.

I'll probably take a drink when I come of age in a few years, but I'm not necessarily looking forward to it. I think in the long run I'll realize that I was a lot more excited about getting my driver's license and registering to vote than getting to drink alcohol.