Should the drinking age be changed?

[Ringo84]

Well, we are a lot more paranoid about alcohol here in the states than they are in Italy, Germany, and other European countries. And yet, they have less incidents of alcohol abuse than we do (if I'm not mistaken)!

I think that if a person is old enough to fight for his country, to vote, to buy weapons, and to smoke cigarettes, they ought to be able to drink also. The paranoia concerning alcohol here is ridiculous.
Ringo

 

[Ringo84]

Why, Autumnleaf?
Ringo

 

[FadingWhispers3]

115 would probably be a good minnimum age for alcohol consumption.

That would deprive a good many people of the joys of communion.

 

[ebia]

115 would probably be a good minnimum age for alcohol consumption.

That would deprive a good many people of the joys of communion.

Except for the Catholics who know it isn't wine anymore, but blood.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Why, Autumnleaf?
Ringo

It would effectively take alcohol and all its ill effects out of society. Some will say, "But prohibition failed...". If the feds with todays technology went after bootleggers Al Capone wannabes wouldn't have a prayer.

 

[Tragic Paradox]

115 would probably be a good minnimum age for alcohol consumption.

Sounds about right

 

[Ringo84]

It would effectively take alcohol and all its ill effects out of society. Some will say, "But prohibition failed...". If the feds with todays technology went after bootleggers Al Capone wannabes wouldn't have a prayer.

No law does a perfect job of protecting society. The best we can hope is that a law stems the tide of illegal activity as much as humanly possible.

If more people practiced moderation with alcohol, we would see less of the deleterious effects of alcohol.
Ringo

 

[Tragic Paradox]

If more people practiced moderation with alcohol, we would see less of the deleterious effects of alcohol.
Ringo

True. But can man, in his sinful state, be trusted to practice moderation?

It's a complicated issue that may not have a real solution in a sinful world.

 

[Ringo84]

True. But can man, in his sinful state, be trusted to practice moderation?

It's a complicated issue that may not have a real solution in a sinful world.

It's like banning all R-rated movies because a couple of kids sneak into them per year - throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

The problem is not so much with alcohol but the irresponsible use of it. It is possible to drink - but not to excess, which leads me to believe that it's overkill to ban all alcohol outright.
Ringo

 

[Autumnleaf]

No law does a perfect job of protecting society. The best we can hope is that a law stems the tide of illegal activity as much as humanly possible.

If more people practiced moderation with alcohol, we would see less of the deleterious effects of alcohol.
Ringo

If more people practiced moderation porn and fast food sales would drop like a rock too. Many people are into immediate gratification which means they need food or drugs to change how they feel whenever they feel like it. Patience is becoming a lost art.

 

[Tragic Paradox]

It's like banning all R-rated movies because a couple of kids sneak into them per year - throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

The problem is not so much with alcohol but the irresponsible use of it. It is possible to drink - but not to excess, which leads me to believe that it's overkill to ban all alcohol outright.
Ringo

I agree. I'm just raising questions for sake of the discussion. If we banned everything that can lead to sin, I have a feeling we'd all be living in caves. Thought itself would have to be banned. In man's sinful state, we don't need encouragement from television or other media to sin. The mind and Satan take care of that.

 

[Ringo84]

If more people practiced moderation porn and fast food sales would drop like a rock too. Many people are into immediate gratification which means they need food or drugs to change how they feel whenever they feel like it. Patience is becoming a lost art.

Which proves my point that porn and fast food isn't the problem. Banning those things would not solve anything. In fact, it may increase the demand for such items.
Ringo

 

[Ringo84]

I agree. I'm just raising questions for sake of the discussion. If we banned everything that can lead to sin, I have a feeling we'd all be living in caves. Thought itself would have to be banned. In man's sinful state, we don't need encouragement from television or other media to sin. The mind and Satan take care of that.

If we banned everything that can lead to sin, I have a feeling we'd all be living in caves. Thought itself would have to be banned.

I absolutely agree.

I understand you now.
Ringo

 

[LonesomeTexan]

it was a state issue, until the federal government stepped in and restricted highway funds for states that didn't bump it up to 21. This is one area that as a conservative Reagan really screwed up.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Which proves my point that porn and fast food isn't the problem. Banning those things would not solve anything. In fact, it may increase the demand for such items.
Ringo

When a significant number of crimes and car related deaths and injuries are related to using a certain drug then maybe society has an interest in making that drug scarce. I agree people aren't about to give up their drugs, porn, and cheezy fries without lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

 

[Ringo84]

When a significant number of crimes and car related deaths and injuries are related to using a certain drug then maybe society has an interest in making that drug scarce. I agree people aren't about to give up their drugs, porn, and cheezy fries without lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

We have laws in place to help curtail drunk driving and other irresponsible uses of alcohol. There is no need to ban it.

I doubt whether bans work anyway, as they don't do much more than increase the demand of the banned item.
Ringo

 

[Tragic Paradox]

I agree that banning alcohol altogether would increase demand. It would just make it "exotic" and exciting and not actually solve the issue. The issue is that rather than turning to God for help, a man turns to alcohol to forget his problems. When he sobers up, the problems are still there, so he drinks them away again. And the cycle will continue.

It's our job as Christians to show them THE only true solution.

 

[Ringo84]

I agree that banning alcohol altogether would increase demand. It would just make it "exotic" and exciting and not actually solve the issue. The issue is that rather than turning to God for help, a man turns to alcohol to forget his problems. When he sobers up, the problems are still there, so he drinks them away again. And the cycle will continue.

It's our job as Christians to show them THE only true solution.

Exactly.

Furthermore, not everyone uses alcohol to those ends. Some people drink simply because they enjoy an occasional drink. So banning alcohol outright would punish occasional drinkers who are responsible.
Ringo

 

[SallyNow]

I don't see the point of raising the drinking age.

I do see the point of finding safe places for older teenagers to drink. And I think it is up to parents to introduce alcohol as an average treat, not some magical experience.

I have to wonder how many kids would think getting drunk is cool if their parents were light or moderate drinkers, and if they used responsible behaviours when drinking.

And of course, introducing teenagers to small amounts of wine or beer, and showing that it isn't really that special, and that one can have a good time with one drink as with ten drinks, can really help stop a kid from binge drinking later on.

But it's one of those things that is best taught at home. Of course, schools and society at large should inforce the ideas of responsible consumption of alcohol, but it should start at home.

 

[cantata]

If more people practiced moderation porn and fast food sales would drop like a rock too. Many people are into immediate gratification which means they need food or drugs to change how they feel whenever they feel like it. Patience is becoming a lost art.

Luckily, though, it's their business whether or not they watch porn and eat fast food - not yours, or the state's.

Same goes for alcohol. We can try to improve the way that people use alcohol by offering more information and encouraging a change of attitude, but it's none of the state's business to prevent adults from using it.