Alcohol Is Of The Devil
At least this is what some people in Georgia including Governor Sonny Perdue would have you believe. And that is what I would have believed years ago as well.
I grew up in a household where both parents had grown up Southern Baptist. Not a drop of alcohol was to be found in our home. And so I grew up believing that drinking beer or wine was a sin. I never really questioned this perspective until I got older and started to re-read the Bible and began questioning some of the things that I had always been taught.
There are, in fact, numerous mentions of alcohol in the Bible, many of which are positive mentions. Jesus turned water into wine (not Welch's grape juice) and even used wine during his Last Supper as a sacrament for his followers to remember him.
A few years ago I had a conversation with my grandmother and this topic came up. My grandmother had always been very vocal about the evils of alcohol and I wanted to understand why. I'm not sure how I had never known this, but her father had been an alcoholic and had physically abused his family. Being in the rural South with a strong Christian cultural milieu, the interpretation of alcoholism and abuse became a Christian one, hence the "alcohol is of the devil".
Unfortunately, this cultural preference has become ingrained in many Christian cultures and churches over the years to the point that many Christians have difficulty separating the essentials of their faith from cultural preferences that really have no basis in the Bible.
In a pluralistic society, there are certainly difficulties and hard questions when we talk about legislating certain beliefs. While I disagree with those who say that we can never legislate morality (in fact that is the only thing we can legislate), it is even more disturbing to push a policy agenda based upon a supposed Christian belief that is in actuality nothing more than a tradition.
I can certainly see why most non-Christians in Georgia would be disturbed by blue laws. Hopefully, more Christians will become disturbed by blue laws as well. There is nothing Christian about blue laws or abstaining from alcohol.
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I think most Southern
I think most Southern teetotalers, especially those who insist on grape juice for communion, might be surprised to know that it was introduced for the first time by the Welch family.
I agree!
Coming from much the same perspective - I was glad that the emphasis was on that for our teenage years, since I saw what it did to some classmates. I've also respected most who held teetotalling for their own lives, such as your parents, as something that worked for them.
If I recall correctly, the most direct relation would be Biblical admonitions about getting drunk, or in a wider sense, not letting things get between you and G_d. Even though I no longer hold a traditional Christian worldview, again, this is something that can be the right thing for some people - especially considering the very real, material damage alcohol can cause on many levels.
"Remember, son-
I didn't sell out,
I bought in."
hide the beer, the pastor's here
Sad that we grew up in a culture where the church has to make a big deal out of non-essentials.
I'm the grandson and nephew on alcoholics, and I have patients whose lives have been trashed by alcohol abuse [I've seen the bottle and the damage done, so to speak]. So, I know why some refer to alcohol as evil.
However, it misses the point to make it illegal to sell alcohol on certain days or even after certain hours. I don't think there's any data showing that such restrictions have any effect on curbing alcohol abuse.
As the body of Christ, we should foster physical health - portray healthy drinking, instruct children and young adults on responsible use, and offer treatment for those who abuse it. To proscribe alcohol use is wrong for the church, and indefensible.
St. Paul
Greetings,
I kindly address my thoughts to the self-righteous Pharisees minded, and to those without sin. Let us discuss, wine in the Holy Bible.
Didn't Paul tell Timothy to have a little wine instead of water to help his stomach? Can you be in a leadership role within a church and every once in a blue moon have a glass of wine???? The Book of Timothy describes the prerequisites for pastor/bishop and elders and it say not to drink too much wine. The Holy Bible in the Book of Timothy says that a pastor/bishop and elders to be the husband of one wife!!!! However, these anti-wine crusaders somehow overlook this passage. I find it difficult for females to meet this standard. According to the religious crusaders, Noah, St. Paul, Timothy, nor Lord Jesus himself couldn't be an usher at most churches, much less a teacher or preacher....... In some self-righteous establishments they would be slandered and membership too would be questionable!!! Lord Jesus wouldn't be allowed to teach in the self-religious seminaries, whereas, weight control for the most part is overlooked. Isn't it sad how Lord Jesus was called a glutton and a drunkard for having a piece of bread and a glass of wine by the religious crowd(Luke 7:33)? Evidently, this spirit is still alive and kicking.....I guess Jesus was inciting sinfulness when he turn water into the best wine? Does he need to repent too?
I just read an article whereas one person was expressing her thoughts concerning alcohol. I too had a loss, my 13 year old Christian brother was killed my a drunk driver, while crossing an intersection. I have enough common sense to understand that a person that is having a glass of wine at home didn't do it. It is back to the same old principle for example; Guns don't kill only the
irresponsible soul behind the trigger. This too is the same with alcohol. With all the trouble, which the American church is in with apostate leadership, false religious groups, and outright blasphemers with esoteric views wheeling existentialistic isogeneical baloney around, we waste time and effort belittling someone who has an occasional glass of wine. No wonder the secular world thinks most Christians are over zealous hypocrites without a clue.
May Lord Jesus forgive us.
Peace Jeff
Praising God with wine
Thanks for your thoughts, Will. Although I grew up with non-Christian parents who drank semi-regularly (though I never saw them drunk), I started going to a church as a teen that frowned upon drinking. Actually, there wasn't an official stance against it, but whenever the topic came up it seemed pretty clear that it wasn't approved of. As I got older, though, I came to realize that most of the members had a glass of wine or a beer now and then, but for some odd reason it was kept quiet. It was sad to see how the cultural bias against moderate alcohol consumption caused guilt in the hearts of believers who chose to partake in something that Jesus himself did.
I struggled with this for a while in my early 20s. I just couldn't reconcile the anti-alcohol perception with the fact that Jesus chose wine not just for any miracle, but for his FIRST miracle. His introduction to the world was through barrels of wine, and I just can't accept that Jesus, son of God, would choose to make a sinful concoction for the first display of his glory.
Although I feel that I can glorify God through drinking wine (and dark beer), I do understand that there are biblical limitations to it. Besides the warnings about drunkenness, it's pretty clear that we are supposed to consider those who struggle with alcohol - both personally and situationally.
Romans Chapter 10:14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died
Romans Chapter 10:20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.
The above came into play for me with regards to a good friend whose father is an alcoholic. Alcohol has caused so much anguish in her life - having only been exposed to this aspect, the mere idea of a beer causes her heart to ache. For me to drink in her presence absolutely would be a sin, according to the verses cited above. Outside of such situations, though, God intended wine to gladden the hearts of men. Bottoms up, fellas!
Drinking is not a sin
I have to agree with what you say. Drinking is not necessarily a sin, although there are many Southern Baptists who would shoot me for saying that. I am not sure why Sonny is wanting to limit alcohol sales but there are plenty of problems with alcohol apart from religious convictions. There are many ruined lives, families torn apart, and orphaned children as a result of alcohol abuse. Anything can be abused but the potential results of alcohol abuse are horrific. I'd say the people should be encouraged to not drink but we cannot say that it is a sin, unless people abuse it and get drunk.
The problem that I have with
The problem that I have with this argument is that you can that there are plenty of problems with just about everything, including alcohol. How about fast food? How about junk food? How about over eating? It is funny to me, that I find many of the same people who are critical of alcohol are over weight. And face it, we have a serious weight problem in America. How many lives has being overweight negatively affected? How about football? How about television, or the internet? I think problem is a Christ centered problem (or I should say, lack of) or a discipline problem.
Yup
Alcohol is not of the devil and drinking is not itself a sin, but there is a lot of danger and negatives that go along with alcohol (whether it be one time errors or full fledged abuse) and IMO the benefits don't come close to outweighing the perils, so I don't mind whatever restrictions get put on alcohol in the slightest. But it's just an opinion and not one I certainly think most people will share.
Benefit?
Guru - I might agree with your stance, but can you point to any benefits that come from restrictions such as blue laws? Restricting the sale of alcohol on Sundays or after a certain hour - seriously, is there any benefit to this approach? What peril does this prevent?
-Brian
Commerce on Sunday
I don't object to selling alcohol six days a week, but, given the opportunity, I'd vote against Seth Harp's law, not to mention (in a losing cause) against Sunday sales in my home county.
Perhaps one could argue that we've already given up on Sunday as a common (commerce-free) day of rest (which, by the way, when it existed, didn't amount to the establishment of religion in the eyes of the Supremes). But the fact that we've gone halfway down this path, permitting (for example) bars and restaurants to pour on Sundays and most stores to do business (at least by noon), doesn't mean that we have to go all the way.
There's something to be said for upholding tradition and for indicating that commerce and convenience aren't the dominant hallmarks of what it means to be an American or a Georgian.
For those of you who care about the ways in which religiosity (even if you don't share it) may contribute to the public good, there's at least one study (recently released) that suggests an inverse relationship between church attendance and Sunday store openings. Give the people an opportunity to backslide and at least a few will. I, for one, have the foresight to stock up before midnight.
So count me among the cranks who are with the Governor on this one.
Sabbatarians, Alcohol and the Flag
I sympathize with Dr. Knippenberg's desire to expand the discussion to Sunday, the Christian Sabbath, itself rather than just alcohol. I'm a not a strict Sabbatarian but respect the countercultural example provided by those who are. But while that might motivate Dr. Knippenberg's voting decisions, I don't think it's behind Perdue's decision. The issue for the Governor is alcohol, not the Sabbath.
After all, isn't the Governor a Baptist? Where I grew up they populated the steakhouses and cafeterias at about 12:15 on Sundays. Strict Sabbatarians they are not! :)
I kid b/c I love, but seriously, the issue for Perdue is alcohol, not the Sabbath. What makes it more ironic to me was his flag controversy strategy. Funny how in that scenario, he called for Georgians to have a say on whether the state flag would be changed. It's funny that he doesn't listen to 80% of Georgians who want the issue on the ballot now...
The Redemption of the Sabbath
There are many Christians, most of whom are well-grounded in Scripture, that believe the Sabbath has been "restored" by Christ's resurrection, meaning the strict Sabbath laws are no longer necessary. Most will still view the Sabbath as a day of rest, but one without a litany of laws to govern it.
I'm not sure this is (blue laws, that is) the right battle for Christians to wage. I believe in one of Paul's epistles, he states that you do not judge someone by their Sabbath observation; rather they should be judged by how spread the Gospel and Christ's love. For some, this could include working on the Lord's Day.
Tradition?
I realize you are only making a blog comment, Joseph, but...
1. Even granting that "there's something to be said for upholding tradition," is that something--whatever it is--worth restricting the freedom of people who wish to drink/sell alcohol on Sunday?
2. If it sends the message that commerce and convenience are not what it means to be a Georgian, is that message simply drowned out by the rampant consumerism and pursuit of ever-greater convenience that will happen, anyway? IOW, won't this just be a meaningless gesture?
3. Even if the study you mention somehow manages to how the strongest possible causation--that the blue laws actually cause people who would otherwise tie one on to go to church instead--does that fact outweigh the cost of restricting the freedom of those who won't go to church and/or still want to drink/sell alcohol on Sunday?
In short, I find your defense of the law pretty weak. Which is to say, too weak to justify it.
I saw this study not too
I saw this study not too long ago.
Study Finds Behavioral Changes When "Blue Laws" Are Repealed
"Jonathan Gruber of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Daniel M. Hungerman of the University of Notre Dame discovered the malevolent Mall Effect by studying what happened when states and counties repeal "blue laws."
Gruber and Hungerman found that when states eliminated blue laws, church attendance declined while drinking and drug use increased significantly among young adults. Even more striking, the biggest change in bad behavior mostly occurred among those who frequently attended religious services, they report in a working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, "The Church vs. the Mall: What Happens When Religion Faces Increased Secular Competition?"
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