Booze and the Good Book
With the current concern about drunkenness, crime and general misery, it seems the moment to whirl round some signposts on religious attitudes to drink. Some religious teachers treat it sacramentally, some as the devil's brew. Here's some Bible reference - suggesting that St Paul felt wine to be a good gift of God but that drunkenness is always wrong . In Evangelical Christianity including Methodism there is evidence that attitudes are actually softening; but hardliners argue that whenever "wine" was used by Jesus or praised as a gift of God, it was really grape juice; only when it caused drunkenness was it wine. Thus, they interpret the Bible as asserting that grape juice is good and that alcohol is bad .
Meanwhile in Hinduism it is discouraged, not banned; in Buddhism not intrisically evil but tending to cause breaches of the four precepts; in Islam pretty well banned, in Judaism permissible but with discretion; a roundup is offered here, including Rastafari attitudes; and here's a survey on the drinking habits of British Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and the rest. Treat all these with caution: there are a bewildering variety of nuances...
Where did people in biblical times get the grape juice from in the spring time when Jesus converted the water into wine at the wedding -as they did not have refridgerators? John 2:9
Posted by: Sylvia | 17 Aug 2007 11:31:46
This brings to mind the recent work by Mark Driscoll 'The Sin of Light Beer' in his book 'Radical Reformission' which thoroughly affirms not getting drunk but embraces enjoying alcoholic drinks as a gift from God.
Posted by: dave | 18 Aug 2007 20:30:51
Hello Readers,
As de Trinitarian Monks gather in many discrete places in prayer n Spirit. Dese Servants of YHWH enjoy a refreshing time of jollyness, happiness n loving friendship, for to over-indulge is comitting sin. They hardily fill their waterful needs wit refreshments of the soul.
Alter wine, potions an spirits have been created by man for thousands of years.
De Colonel says it just ain't right to condemn it now.
Giddup Slow Light'n...
Posted by: Colonel Bain | 19 Aug 2007 21:50:44