religious sobriety?

Question

Why are certain Protestants against liquor?

I'm catholic so I have a good idea of what the bible says about alcohol.
I know why Muslims don't drink.
Also, I have friends who don't drink for personal reasons, so I know that possible.
It's simply that I noticed there are some Protestant groups that are noticibly anti-liquor (not just against getting drunk). I was wondering what their reasoning was.

Answer 1

Hello,

Comes from that Puritain culture in the 1600's. There is no ban against wine or beer in the bible though it says not to overindulge in it just like rich foods. Christ's first miracle was changing water into wine.

That said, we will likely get some postings saying wine was not alcohol based but was grape juice. Nonsense!
Proverbs says take not much of the wine or you will feel you are on a mast of a ship in a stormy sea and wake up the next day feeling like you have been bitten by a poison serpent then have to ask for more to quell the pain (a piece of hair from the dog that bit you!) Also the Romans had a proverb: Veritas in vino est! There is truth in wine meaning people feeling it loosen their tongues and speak the truth. I ask you then, does that sound like grape juice?

It is too bad many abuse these drinks but I confess I have to shed some extra kilos now so don't you dare go to MacDonalds for a burger or order that pizza!
Sigh, the only thing worse than an alcoholic is a reformed alcoholic at times.

Let me remind you of the words of Cardinal Richelieu who was no fool and lived in those times where prohibition was coming up in some of the protestant faiths:

"If God did not want man to enjoy wine, why did he make it so good?"

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 2

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).

Answer 3

We will never have a society in which everyone agrees upon the same understandings of what we should be allowed to do or not to do.This is the simple basis in which all these wars are being fought over,and when it is all said and done we still will not agree.I wish I knew why certain protestant groups are concerned about liquor.I remember something about being sober when God knocks at your door,nothing about,Thou shall not drink alcohol.Take care,and Bless you.

Answer 4

To be a drunk is a sin. This is the way some Protestants believe. Take my mother for instance, she drinks a glass of wine daily for her health, but refuses to enjoy the wine for fear she will like it too much. So, she just drinks it down as fast as she can.

I didn't tell her that this will make her feel drunk faster. :-)

Answer 5

Nothing wrong with using it some of us just prefer not to dull our senses with liquor. Rather experience life at its fullest. Also the Bible tells us to rather get drunk from the Holy Spirit than from wine. God Bless

Answer 6

If you get drunk you have no control meaning you could sleep with someone (therefore either cheating on your spouse or doing it out of wed lock), get into a fight, even jump off a building thinking you can fly.
Christians say let Gods will be done, but, if we cannot control our bodies how can we do gods will?

(p.s. its not really being against liquor its more being against getting drunk)

Answer 7

Two nights ago I was heading for a friend's house and noticed some teenagers apparently in distress, Turns out one of the "over-21's" had a birthday and now no one with a license was fit to drive.

I took the passengers in my car and followed the belligerent driver, who drove off Both Sides of the Highway (oncoming cars swerved around us) before finally passing out several miles later. ...

Reminded me of so many tragedies. My uncle, in fact, died at age 13 when somebody drove off the road and hit him on the sidewalk as he walked beside his mother. He was her only child...

Answer 8

Maybe the ones you speak of are in error.

In 1 Timothy Ch 5 V 23 it says:-
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomachs sake and thine often infirmities.

Answer 9

You don't need a religion to be against liquor. I am an Atheist and I am totally against it. Along with religion it is the ruination of mankind.

Answer 10

Liquor makes the truth come out.