Nearly half of Christians think some alcohol use is acceptable?

Question

A new poll shows that nearly half of Christians believe it is acceptable for believers to drink alcohol ---- provided they don't get drunk.

If you think it's ok to drink, are you sure you are a true christian?

Answer 1

The Bible does not condemn the consumption of alcohol. It does condemn the sin of drunkenness and excess [of all kinds].
But more importantly, while a Christian may consider the practice of alcohol consumption acceptable, (s)he should keep in mind the apostle Paul's admonition about legality, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Corinthians 6:12, NKJV).
Since a Christian is free from the law of sin and death, it's incumbent that (s)he be more concerned with glorifying the Lord and being a witness of a citizen of God's kingdom than continuing to behave like a citizen of this world. Our liberty in Christ does not give us license to ignore the impact that our behavior can have on Christians and non-Christians alike. The apsotle Paul made this quite clear when he articulated the laws of liberty and love found in Romans 14.
Therefore, Christians should be more concerned with whether or not their action(s) will be a stumblingblock to a weaker Christian; rather than argue for the sake of justifying their desire for self-gratification.
Until Christians are ready to stop compromising, we will continue to lose influence in the society we are trying to change.

Answer 2

Until recently in historical terms it was either drink wine or beer or die from water borne diseases. The history of clean water supplies in European cities only goes back to the early -mid 19th century and as late as the 1920s and 1930s there were still cholera outbreaks in the USA because of contaminated water supplies.

If Christians had been told not to drink any alcoholic liquor before then they would have mostly died.

Boiling water for brewing beer killed most of the bacteria, then the yeast outcompeted the remainder and the alcohol content generally kept the product bacterially safe after that.

It was only after the appearance of clean water supplies that teetotal sects could arise. Before that most of their members would have died of cholera or just dysentery. Almost none of the main churches have any kind of ban on modest consumption.

You are entitled to your opinion but unfortunately it makes little sense.

Answer 3

where is the scripture that says its not ok?? JESUS drank wine, and he was sinless. so, if its good enough for Jesus, its good enough for me. in the BIBLE simon tells us, to go ahead and have some wine, because this life is very short. the BIBLE also says that s in is not in any one object, but it is within man.... there is nothing in the Bible that says it is a sin to drink in moderation. but when we lose control and let the alcohol take over, that i the sin....

so, i do think it is ok to have the occasional drink, as long as you dont let yourself become beligerent and sinfull because of the alcohol.... and yes, im sure im a true christian.

and judging by these answers, it seems thata lot more than half agree that it is ok to have wine, but not be drunk.

edit: holy crap! where did all the thumbs down come from?? from what im reading, most who have answered this seem to be on the same page as me?

Answer 4

Within moderation, and they are not permitted to get drunk. Each person should know their limit. If a person is alcoholic, then they shouldn't touch it at all.

The first miracle Jesus Christ perform was turning water to wine. He also said, it is not what goes into your mouth that is important, it is what comes out of it.

If you prevent a person from doing something such as drinking alcohol. They wouldn't want to find out what it is all about that they are being forbidden from having. Before you know it they abuse it. For example, the Muslims are forbidden from having any liquor. None. In Saudi Arabia, many people die because they want to have that taste, and at the same time they don't want to disobey their religion. Some of them end up drinking cologne, and get poisoning, and many die over it. Sad, very sad But it is the truth. Another, drink cold medicine. they get the liquor, but at the same they are don drinking. Get the point.
We can't prevent and shouldn't prevent a person from doing some things such as drinking some liquor responsibly. They will always find a way to go around the laws to do it, anyhow.

I don't drink, not because I am forbidden from it. It is because I don't like it. I have the choice to have it or not to have it, and because of that, I am not afraid that God will punish me if I ever choose to have a little drink.

Answer 5

I do not drink. But that is a personal choice. I see nothing wrong with people who have a drink. The bible says Jesus turned water into wine. The bible does not say anything against having a drink. In the Jewish faith wine is commonly used in special celebrations. In Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. However it does not say anything about not drinking. This is my opinion and my search of the scriptures.

Answer 6

Wine was consumed in the bible. Moderation in all things. Wine has been proven to have health benefits, in small amounts. Italians drink wine with their dinner, it can help with digestion. If you are referring to getting laying down dog drunk, no that is not acceptable. Drinking can lead to many health issues as well. It is not God's intent to do harm to our bodies by drinking a fifth or doing a dozen jello shots....and yes I know what jello shots are. I am not ignorant of what is in this world. I choose to not partake. There was a time in my life that I did, but I soon saw that my life was going in a direction that was ending up at Satan's door. I got wise, quit doing those things that was causing me grief, and am a happier and healthier person for it, with God's help that is. God turned the water into wine at the wedding remember? I'd say there was no BYOB on the guests invitations.

Answer 7

If Jesus turned water to wine at a wedding, I'd say it's fine for a Christian to drink. There are lots of references to wine in the Bible. There is a reference also where Paul encourages someone -- I can't remember if it was Timothy or someone else -- to drink a little wine for a stomach ailment. It is not a sin to drink alcohol, but abusing it or getting drunk is.

Answer 8

There are two issues here.

First of all drinking isn't a sin. Drunkeness is, because drunkeness can lead to all sorts of other sins.

Second, if I drink, and I have a friend who is an alcoholic who is struggling with sobriety, and I have a drink in front of that friend or with that friend's knowledge, I could lead that person to fall off the wagon. I have to be a good example to that person. All things are permitted, but not all things are good.

Answer 9

Different Christians have different views on alcohol consumption -- some hold that all is wrong, some think it's OK in moderation. I am one of the latter, but I wouldn't offer one of the former a drink. Yes, I'm sure I'm a true Christian.

Answer 10

Jesus made water into wine, enough wine to passify the entire wedding party. In those days the wedding party was the entire town, also in those days, alcohol was the only beverage that would be preserved, water wasn't filtered to it didn't last long. So if Jesus drank alcohol with almost every meal, especially on the passover, than consumming alcohol is exceptable, just not drunkiness. The ten compandments don't say "Thou shall not consume any alcoholic beverages before me."