A question about alcohol?

Question

from what i believe from being to diffrent churches including the mormen church they believe alcohol is forbidden by god. But jesus made wine from water and his followers drank. I asked them and they said because "jesus is perfect and we aren't perfect that's why we can't drink". I thought this was ironic since jesus's followers were human and not perfect and yet they drank alcohol with him. What does your church believe about alcohol? I know most catholics drink wine at service.

Answer 1

the belief that alcohol is forbidden by god, stems from the early ministers, who were converted alcoholics, and while it was bad for them, they in turn preached on the evil of alcohol.
this has been a practice in most religions, that if it is bad for me then it must be bad for you, but each of us has a different chemistry, not everyone is destined to become an alcoholic.

Answer 2

I think if you really nail Christians down they would have to admit that drinking is not a sin, but drunkenness certainly is. However in Christianity the real issue we deal with is not how close can we get to sin without sinning, but how far can we get away from it. That is what the Bible calls holiness. So the question a Christian wrestles with is "why should I drink"? In some of your European countries where water is scarce or not healthy they drink wine much more than we do here in the Americas. They have a reason to do it and it is not in any way a sin. However to ask that same question in the western world and and come up with an answer like "I like it", or "it makes me feel good" is entirely a self centered motivation and opens the door for potential sin by falling into drunkenness and addiction. Therefore most Christians just don't start drinking and therefore they never develop a taste for it and it is not a problem. Personally I have never had a drink of alcohol in my life and it would be virtually impossible for anyone to temp may with it, I just have no appetite for it, Altough I have no criticism for those who can do it with self control.

Answer 3

Jesus changed water into wine. It even seems that Jesus drank wine on occasion (John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29). In New Testament times, the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation efforts, the water was often filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. The same is true in many third-world countries today. As a result, people often drank wine (or grape juice) because it was far less likely to be contaminated. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul was instructing Timothy to stop drinking the water (which was probably causing his stomach problems) and instead drink wine. In that day, wine was fermented (containing alcohol), but necessarily not to the degree it is today. It is incorrect to say that it was grape juice, but it is also incorrect to say that it was the same thing as the wine commonly used today. Again, Scripture does not necessarily forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. It is, rather, drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12).

Alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful or addictive. In fact, some doctors advocate drinking small amounts of red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart. Consumption of small quantities of alcohol is a matter of Christian freedom. Drunkenness and addiction are sin. However, due to the Biblical concerns regarding alcohol and its effects, due to the easy temptation to over-consumption of alcohol, and due to the possibility of causing offense and/or stumbling of others – it is usually best for a Christian to abstain entirely from drinking alcohol.

Answer 4

Alcohol is not forbidden by The Bible. However, we are called to remain sober at all times. That means that we aren't supposed to get intoxicated. If you use alcohol to alter your mental state, you lose the ability to focus on following God's will. Also, alcohol can be addictive, and if you become an alcoholic, then drinking will be number one in your life, not God.

Remember, we are saved not by the law, but by grace through faith. Whether or not we drink is a personal decision. I choose not to drink at all, because I think, "What if I'm in a restaurant and have a few drinks, and there's someone that God wants me to witness to tonight, and I can't share the love of Christ with them because I'm tipsy?"

Answer 5

...There is no verse that I know of that forbids all alcohol use for a believer.
...Jesus turned the water into wine - I really think one is hard-pressed to prove that it was grape juice. I believe it was real wine.
...Timothy was told to "take a little wine for his frequent ailments" by the Apostle Paul. Of course, this would be more of a medicinal use.
...The Bible does speak much against getting drunk with wine and spirits.
..."Do not be drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit," we are told in Ephesians 5:18.
...Our church does not promote alcohol use, but an elder told me if they saw a member having a cold beer on a hot day they would say nothing, since that is his choice.
...RE the use of wine in communion: I would strongly recommend that not be done - I have known of recovering drunkards who could really be damaged by the introduction of any alcohol into their bodies.

Answer 6

I once had a christian tell me Jesus made 'non-alcoholic wine'. I'm not kidding! That takes some serious theological twisting, IMO.

Asatruar don't have anything against drinking alcohol. We believe in being responsible for yourself. If you have a problem with it - stop. If you don't have a problem with it - drink in a responsible manner and don't endanger others. Easy, no?

~Morg~

ETA: any fruit juice will ferment if left unrefrigerated for enough time. You can also ferment flour and water into hooch very easily. The process accelerates depending on temperature and deserts tend to be hot. Jesus may have made grape juice - but he was slamming the wine.

Answer 7

Those I've been to used Grape Juice for scaraments.

I drink what I choose and do have wine now and then.

Virtually all the churches have the Eucharist wrong, basically because they were never Jews first. Jesus was Jewish, Pesach is a Jewish Feast one of the most important. Drinking 24 ounces of Wine is required.

You can also eat meat.

You also eat flat bread.

You also dip the bread and meat in bitter herbs, something akin to Horseraddish or salsa.

Jesus wanted us to incorporate him into this annual event and to remember him when we eat and drink. That the wine was his blood and the bread his body.

Answer 8

There is nothing wrong with drinking alcohol per se. Nowhere in scripture are we told not to drink. We are warned all through the Bible that alcohol can take control of us and bring us to ruin. The Bible tells us to be cautious. Only those who had taken the Nazarite vow are forbidden to touch alcohol, no one else.
Now, some denominations have decided that those who are professing members of that denomination will not touch alcohol or tobacco, and some other things. That is okay, there is nothing wrong with taking a vow to refrain from alcohol. It is wrong to require others to accept their vow for your lifestyle. Let me spell it out. It is okay for a Baptist (for instance) to decide not to drink wine-it is not okay for that Baptist to expect others to do the same. It is a sin for him to tell you that drinking is wrong.
Now, with that said-you can "make" drinking a sin if you over indulge, even if you have not taken a vow. if you get drunk all the time, and fail to do your job or feed your family-then you have sinned.
If you are not a Christian-then it does not matter at all what you do-just don't break the law of the land.

BTW-- Baptist are a-okay folks, I just used then as an example.

Answer 9

alcohol is not evil; however, When we consider that getting drunk is a sin, and the fact that we are in fact Humans, the two don't mix well. Why tempt fate? It could be a stumbling block to non believers. Above all, would Jesus socially drink today? The answer to that question should affect whether or not you drink.

Answer 10

Prefer not to drink alcohol or do drugs because they interfere with mindfulness.
It is important to think clearly without any distorted reasoning, views or intentions. The consumption of alcohol, no matter how small affects one's state of mind, in a negative way. Calmness of mind, as well as clarity of mind, for me, comes through mindfulness. Alcohol causes mindlessness.
"There are six results of drinking alcohol:
decreasing wealth, increasing quarrels, danger of disease, gaining an evil reputation
indecent exposure, and ruining one's intelligence. Digha Nikaya 31. And also I prefer not to drink any alcohol whatsoever,
because their is no nutritional value in alcohol for the body. Taking care of one's body is quite important so we can help others in Life.
This short paragraph explains why I choose not to consume any alcohol whatsoever.
For me, Being Mindful highly contributes to a Stable Peace of Mind. But whatever others choose for themselves, is their decision. I choose not to point a finger in judgment toward others for drinking alcohol or taking drugs. People most follow their own personal convictions, and will always reap the consequences of their actions.
Thanks for asking your excellent question.
Have a fantastic week, and a great coming weekend.

Answer 11

Christian off shoots that sprang up since the 1700's were exposed to brutal levels of alcoholism and incorporated the temperance stance into their web of beliefs. It was a way to get converts from the older established branches of the Christian mythology. You can't make money if people don't join up.

Beer ans wine are methods of preserving food as grapes and grains rot.

The simple truth is that all things in moderation are alright.