Is it acceptable for Christians in Britain to socially drink?

[Lucky_Skunk]

I know that in the US, especially in the south, drinking alcohol is heavily debated. However, alcohol is viewed much differently here than Europe.

My wife (who is from the UK but not a christian) has wine occasionally with dinner or, on occasions, she'll have a Guinness with Pizza. Is it like that for most of England as well?

 

[theFijian]

It generally is in Scotland thank goodness, I presume it's the same for most of England, Wales and NI.

 

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

Yup. There are a few teetotal denominations, but the vast majority of Christians in the UK drink socially. Most of us think nothing of going down the pub for a few jars.

 

[sunshinejennii]

Also while my youth leader publically frowns on underage drinking most of the Christian parents I know don't worry too much about their children drinking at parties etc before they are 18.

 

[Lucky_Skunk]

That's kind of what I thought. The biggest problem with drinking in the US is the preception by lost people. Over here, if a Christian was seen drinking a beer at a resturant by a non-christian who doesn't drink, this may be a stumbing block for the Christian.

However, because everyone (over 90%, I can safety say) in the UK goes to the Pub for a Murphy's or two, I wouldn't think non-christians in the UK would have a problem with it.

I guess it could be equated to Christians smoking 20 years ago in the US, before smoking became socially unacceptable.

Now, a christian getting falling down drunk,which is addressed clearly in the bible, I could see where that is an obvious problem.

 

[sunshinejennii]

Plus isn't the age at which you can drink in a pub or bar higher in the US?

 

[Bonhoffer]

Also while my youth leader publically frowns on underage drinking most of the Christian parents I know don't worry too much about their children drinking at parties etc before they are 18.

You kinda have to let your kids backslide to some degree when they are in their teens otherwise they'll go really far from the faith.
Teenage years are a time of exploration and so parents shouldnt worry if their kid trys smoking pot or drinks underage. Even the nice kids that get in to Oxford do this. As long as they dont have sex before marriage, become alcoholic or take serious drugs then they should be okay.

If a child choose to wait until 18 before they drink then good for them.

 

[thetrainman]

I drank before I was 18, and I drink now.
REMEMBER: YOu CAN drink and NOT get drunk. I drink, but have never been drunk
Pete

 

[StormeTorque]

Most of the Christians I knew drank, and some drank considerably more than I did. I remember seeing one guy out on a college bar crawl who had consumed 15 pints. He did have a big build though, and didn't appeal particularly drunk when I encountered him up at a hill college.

 

[sunshinejennii]

Yea I drink, i'm the only one of my friends who drinks without going too far. I think there are reasons why age limits are set, I'll allow myself one alcoholic drink in the middle of an evening out or a party. I don't need to drink to enjoy myself, I can mess around and socialise perfectly well having just drunk coke (if anything it affects me more!), however it's more expensive.

 

[thetrainman]

Thats the thing i tell all of my friends who think its good to get drunk at like 2 in the afternoon in town - I want to enjoy drinking, not have to drink to enjoy myself.
Pete

 

[sunshinejennii]

What bothers me the most is 15 year olds who buy cider and go to get drunk in the park on a friday night!

 

[tamtam92]

You kinda have to let your kids backslide to some degree when they are in their teens otherwise they'll go really far from the faith.
Teenage years are a time of exploration and so parents shouldnt worry if their kid trys smoking pot or drinks underage. Even the nice kids that get in to Oxford do this. As long as they dont have sex before marriage, become alcoholic or take serious drugs then they should be okay.

If a child choose to wait until 18 before they drink then good for them.

I don't think so. even as kids they should know it's dangerous without tasting it. They can learn that fire is dangerous without playing with it or getting burnt. That's the same with smoking/alcohol etc. What's "serious drugs" ??? even cannabis is bad...

I don't have problems with drinking alcohol, but i don't like to drink alcohol with non-christians, because i can't trust them, and i don't know (or rather i know) how far they'll get. I can't join in their drinking.
Besides, i don't like alcohol very much, but at times, i can drink one glass (with cheese ).

 

[Kal'thzar]

If your not going to drink in britan your in for a hard time, Theres a culture here to do with drinking, i heard of a research project where British people were given a placebo and told it was alcohol, they got drunk

I don't drink, beer in my opinion tastes like diluted urine, unless your really exhausted (try walking a couple of mountains), and still i bought non-alcholic ones, they were ok for me. Sometimes i drink some wine, but only the good stuff, i hate the cheap wines, majority are disgusting. Of course I don't drink much at all, maybe a glass of wine a month max. But then i'm also epeleptic, and i use that as an excuse to not drink

 

[thetrainman]

I dont know, I mean, I used to be a 15 year old kid once, and I never tested being drunk.

I have never taken a drag from a *** or anything like that, never done drugs, pretty much a straight edge. Although, my shortfall is sexual sin, that is something different. I am still a Virgin - yet, everyone around me is not, even some Christians! They all drink and get drunk, they all do drugs and smoke - yet, there is just one like me, a girl, another straight edge. She and God is what keeps me going, and I keep her going - we're determind not to fall into the same group as thew rest!

 

[sunshinejennii]

The problem comes when you discover the only reason non christian guys find you attractive is because you're a straight edger Thanks to my mate for imforming me of that!!

 

[but'n'ben]

Well I was brought up in a tee-total household. If my mum had caught me drinking before I was 18, I would have been dragged to the police to tell them who got me it. She did this when she found out my brother was smoking at 14. I'm now 20, don't drink, have never been drunk, have tried a bacardi breezer but drank about a quarter of it...and I have absolutely no desire to drink.

The bible mentiones being drunk is sinful but I don't think it mentions drinking as in being in moderation. I wouldn't say it's a sin to drink but obviously being drunk isn't that impressive by God's standards.

Tee-total and proud of it. Yes, i do get belters from my workmates at nights out but it takes a stronger person to go against the grain that to join in to fit in. A Christian in todays society always sticks out...so not drinking ain't that much of an issue with me.

 

[Jer]

There's nothing wrong with being tee-total, and there is nothing wrong with rdrinking as long as you don't get drunk. Jesus drunck wine and turned water into wine at the wedding, remember? So it's ok to drink wine. But at the same time if you know you will drink to much then don't drink so you won't be tempeted. My mum would kill me if I came home from a party if I had been drinking, but in some ways I'd like to. I only have about 9 months before I can legally, and I wouldn't get drunk so it's a bit annoying, but its the law so...

 

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

You can drink legally from the age of 5. It's only specifically buying alcohol and drinking it on licenced premises under the age of 18 (16 for beer, cider and wine with a meal) that is illegal.

 

[i'm a DONKEY]

there is nothing wrong with having a drink but getting drunk is wrong
it will let ur wittness down

dort get drunk get tipsy

ha ha ha