Alcohol

[LanPingPug]

Why do some Christians think it's okay to drink alcohol and even get drunk? My friend goes to an Evangelical church and she drinks. My boyfriend is an Anglican and he drinks. Why the difference from other Christian groups, such as the LDS?

[tomk]

I don't know why they think it is "OKAY" -- Forget religion for a minute. Common sense says "Don't put poison into your body." Drinking alcohol (think about it) is tantamount to "putting poison" into your body. Is it not? I mean, is somone actually going to disagree with me on that point?

Same goes for smoking.


For those who don't buy into common sense, our Church has what is called the Word of Wisdom -- a health guide from the Lord. He loves us. He cares about us. That includes our physical well-being. What kind of God would He be if He let that sort of thing go on without saying something? I think the answer is obvious. I think the answer is the Word of Wisdom.

[siouxz72]

I can't say it any better than tomk... our HF loves us so much more than we'll ever know! He gave us this guideline (the WoW) only to help us! Yay! We're so lucky!

[lostnfound]

Originally Posted by LanPingPug

Why do some Christians think it's okay to drink alcohol and even get drunk? My friend goes to an Evangelical church and she drinks. My boyfriend is an Anglican and he drinks. Why the difference from other Christian groups, such as the LDS?

I have no idea why your christian friends would do this. The bible tells us to not get drunk. I have gone to evangelical churches and they do preach against it. So if they are doing that sort of thing. They are even disobeying what there churches tell them not to do. But ultimately they probably do not have a strong relationship with the Lord because if they did they would not do these things.

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Originally Posted by LanPingPug

Why do some Christians think it's okay to drink alcohol and even get drunk?

Many different reasons. Some are merely ignorant of what the Bible says about it. Others know what it says, but don't think of Jesus as someone who issues a lot of commands, and if we just love enough, we're fine. Some argue with the verses in the Bible, stating that since Jesus made and drank wine, it's obviously ok for us. They'll point to scriptures forbidding drunkenness, and say that justifies drinking in moderation. Some people know they're doing wrong, but are in the grips of an addiction they can't or won't break. Some people are using alcohol to self-medicate for some trauma or whatnot. Some people are weak, some are hypocrites, some people just genuinely have a different understanding of what God wants from them.

It's not really your job to judge your friend and boyfriend - it's your job to love them and help them if you can.

Why the difference from other Christian groups, such as the LDS?

I can only speak for the LDS. We preach against it for a number of reasons. We understand addictions and how they destroy families and lives. We know what the scriptures say and don't try to pussyfoot around them when the world says something else. We don't worry about 'turning people off' with taking a hard line - we expect people to stand up to their covenants. We understand human weakness and have compassion, love, and a helping hand for those who wish to get out of that lifestyle or break that addiction.

LM

[Palerider]

always remember........1 day for Church.....6 days for fun....odds on going to Heaven....6-1.......

[pam]

Originally Posted by Palerider

always remember........1 day for Church.....6 days for fun....odds on going to Heaven....6-1.......

Couldn't that be then that the odds are 6-1 against you going to Heaven?

[WANDERER]

To be honest, I hadn't even heard of the WOW until I joined this forum. There isn't any prohibition of alcohol, smoking or coffee that will prevent you from being baptised (as far as I know)

Edit: OOps...not that I want to get into a discussion on ordinances.

[Palerider]

Originally Posted by pam

Couldn't that be then that the odds are 6-1 against you going to Heaven?

I am afraid it was not quoted that way Pammie.....its a joke....laugh...go eat some ice cream.....

[sjdean]

Originally Posted by tomk

I don't know why they think it is "OKAY" -- Forget religion for a minute. Common sense says "Don't put poison into your body." Drinking alcohol (think about it) is tantamount to "putting poison" into your body. Is it not? I mean, is somone actually going to disagree with me on that point?

As someone who isn't a member of the LDS faith, Im not strictly Christian either, but I tend to believe I hold Christian values, I'll explain my thoughts.

Alcohol isn't a poison any more than eating copious amounts of sugar can give you diabetes, or drinking gallons of milk will give you heart disease.

I can't speak for the getting drunk and behaving like an idiot without any respect part, but I'll try to explain why people outside of the LDS faith think drinking is OK.

Moderation.

There. Said it.

As long as we do not do ourselves or anybody else any harm in the process, many people do not see the big problem with drinking. Yes, many people abuse alcohol and that should not be tolerated. But if you can drink responsibly, enjoy it, and your belief system allows it, then there is no problem.

No harm, no foul.

Sooo....

Originally Posted by tomk

Same goes for smoking.

It most definitely isn't the same as smoking. For smoking, what I think we know is the effects are cumulative. Drinking can be a harmless thing of having three or four pints of a weekend and nothing else. Note, Im not advocating alcoholism or abusive behaviours. It's sad that too many people associate alcohol with abuse - the presence of one does not suggest the presence of the other.

Originally Posted by tomk

For those who don't buy into common sense, our Church has what is called the Word of Wisdom -- a health guide from the Lord. He loves us. He cares about us. That includes our physical well-being. What kind of God would He be if He let that sort of thing go on without saying something? I think the answer is obvious. I think the answer is the Word of Wisdom.

Sadly I have another idea. I don't think it's necessarily about protection from inanimate objects, but protection from our selves. I don't believe that HF has a problem with someone once a month having half a pint of mild beer.

Im forming a theory that maybe HF is saying if we aren't mature enough to disassociate abuse from alcohol then we shouldn't be drinking.