why do many christians think that pagans (and atheists) drink and use drugs since we don't fear their god?

Question

seriously, i see that all the time. many christians assume that since we don't fear hell that we over indulge in things.

as a pagan, many of my friends are vegetarian or vegan, many don't drink, many don't smoke, and many don't use drugs. the ones who do drink, don't usually get so hammered that they're falling all over - if they did, they couldn't hold a good drum beat or dance safely around the fire!

i know many christians who drink, smoke and use drugs on occasion, and some who are addicted to one or more of those.

i don't smoke, don't use drugs, and most of my drinking is on R&S with pascal's wager!

jesus drank wine, don't forget! and even just one glass of wine alters your perspective or state of mind.

kallan - i agree, the mead and wine is for after ritual, not before. in fact we have certain rules about that in our group

Answer 1

Some Christians just like to put everyone in groups and say that everyone in this group does that. WHICH IS WRONG!

Thats the best answer I have. Unfortunatly, I know of way too many Christians who have problems with the drinking and the drugs but that is not what you usually hear about preaching in church.

It isn't right for anyone to judge anybody....

Answer 2

I didn't actually start drinking until I was 22-even then, I have just one glass of wine at my Saturday evening dinner with my family.
I have never tried any drugs. I've never even attempted smoking. My idea of fun is either working on a new chapter for my novel or reading while listening to jazz and classical music.
If I'm being really crazy, I might go three miles over the speed limit.
Just because I'm not a believer doesn't make me some kind of wild girl.

Answer 3

I seriously never thought that and I've been a Christian over 30 years. Drinking, using drugs, smoking, all that stuff, that's a physical addiction, it has nothing to do with someone's religion or disbelief.

I think your average Christian is smart enough to determine the difference between someone with a drinking problem and someone who takes a glass of wine at dinner.

I think your assessment of "many" Christians is wrong and overstated. Perhaps a few do, but certainly everyone I know does not stereotype pagans and atheists.

Answer 4

I maybe have one to two drinks a month. Personally I don't like how alcohol makes me feel. I want to be sharp not dull and slowed down.

I got the recreational drug use out of my system long long ago. I'll confessed I used cocaine and weed back in the 80's. I have no need for it anymore and I have not touched the stuff in over 20 years.

Currently I have random drug testing done on all employees in my lab. For a while we were working with DEA class two substances. If anyone tested positive when the feds came in we would have been so screwed. I decided to keep the policy up. I don't need stoners working for me.

Answer 5

You're exactly right. I don't know of any Pagans who approve of or allow anyone on drugs or who's been drinking to stand in circle. We'll have some wine or whatever afterward sometimes but I've never known anyone to drink to excess.

Working in a pharmacy I can tell you I see all kinds of self-proclaimed Christians taking anti-depressants or addicted to "legal" drugs like Norco or Vicodin. I guess because those are legally prescribed it doesn't count as a drug, huh?

Answer 6

I don't assume that all pagans and atheists / agnostics drink and use drugs, I know lots of people that don't believe in God and do not indulge in these things.

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 7

I find this question kind of funny because I was headed towards some really bad habits with some really questionable friends as a teenager. Then when I wanted to date my now husband, he told me he flat out wouldn't date a smoker or drinker. I stopped cold turkey and in two years of marraige and four years of dating have never even felt the urge to smoke, and only drink the very occasional glass of wine.
Oh yeah, my husband was the first Wiccan besides myself I ever met. Hmmmm...

Answer 8

it's the same reason why they think we have something to do with Harry Potter, fly around on broomsticks, sacrifice babies under full moons, etc. Because most people are too lazy to go out and do their own research and rely most heavily on hearsay and/or movies to base their ideas on.

If another christian asks me if I'm a "warlock" I'm going to scream.

The other side of this: Isn't eating flesh and drinking blood a monthly CHRISTIAN ritual???

Answer 9

The double standard. It's absolutely bizarre how we get painted, I'm the only Pagan I personally know.

I don't drink, only did for a few months around my 19th, I don't do drugs, and refuse to be around any who do (I'm much more aware about the physical and physcological repurcussions of all drugs including weed), I don't have sex (I'm idealistic, I want to be in love), I avoid junk food and sweets, and I don't smoke.

I'm all for people having a choice, but am completely opposed to drugs (illegal kinds), however it's probably likely people from all faiths indulge in them, I just hope people do it responsibly and take care of themselves.

Answer 10

Many Christians take their life's rules straight out to religious doctrine. The ten commandments, 7 deadly sins.
To Christians if one does not live by these things they obviously don't have any morals. Its a poor generalization at best.
LOL wouldn't it be funny if we had rules that said stuff like "Well if you don't drive a Chevy then you must be a bad driver"