>As an alcoholic (dry for over three decades) I hate alcohol perhaps only as an alcoholic can. I would love to see drunk drivers executed on the first offense (and that is not hyperbole). “Drugs and alcohol” is redundant.
I wish with all my heart the Bible condemned drinking. It does not. Jesus did not turn water into freshly-squeezed grape juice. (and those of you who argue the Bible explicitly forbids alcohol, I urge you to again read without your preconceived prejudices) The Bible does, of course, condemn drunkenness. And I believe one can build a “weaker brother” case for abstaining from drinking. But I’ll not argue that. I will ask/beg/plead with those who follow Christ who think they have the freedom to drink in moderation would consider the benefits of doing so in private, and not broadcasting to the watching hordes over facebook, blogs, twitter, etc their activity? The admonition to esteem others more than yourselves comes into play as, again, does the weaker brother argument. Please consider this prayerfully. For those of you who have not had problems in drink, Proverbs 23 describes perfectly my life before liberation from drugs (to include beverage alcohol)…but even in my pre-salvation days as a thief, drug dealer, and user…alcohol remains the only drug to which I am physically addicted. Here is the Proverbs 23 passage: 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. 31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. 34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. 35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”