Do You Drink Alcohol, And How Often?

Now this is a great Charisma article or "Focus on the Family" radio broadcast: "68% of the readers of a Christian blog report they drink alcohol."

This ain't your father's religion!

Great poll.

It's even better...68% of readers of a Christian blog dedicated to those who work in Christian media drink alcohol.

Of course, those of us who have worked in minstry for many decades wonder why the number isn't 98%.

Corinth. Get ready!

Imagine what would happen if Jesus turned the water to wine at NRB...

It used to be every now and then, with dinner sometimes. But now I am a full time student at a Church and I can't at all, because younger people look up to the full time students, and because we are in a position were people look at us. Which I am totally fine with.

I'm new to this site.

I just wanted to say that I think it is important that we not glorify alcohol consumption in response to the teetotalism of our past.

I drink a glass of wine every single day with dinner (sometimes two). On the weekend I might have a sip of scotch in the evening or maybe even a beer at a bbq.

As a new Christian I put a total ban on alcohol, but my life became so out of balance. I actually admired friends who did exceedingly well in school and workforce. Everyone had a balanced lifestyle that included alcohol consumption. I'd consider myself in that class now.

My best mate however doesn't know of the term "moderation" so he won't touch the stuff at all in fear that if he does he will turn into a raving lunatic.

I work for a church of course I have to have a beer when i get home, how else would i keep working for a church...lol

Islandgirl took the words right out of my fingers.

Some of that impression may be due to the part of the country I'm in, being in California. I'm always reminded how different various social cultures are across the country when I go visit family in Mississippi where alcohol is very regulated. I'll bet the breakdown is different geographically. Here in CA, there is plenty of issue taken with alcoholism, but not so much alcohol itself, though you can ask 100 people and get 100 different subjective answers.

I don't drink alcohol. Ever. However, I don't think it is a sin. Nor do I think it is a sign of weakness to drink alcohol. For me, my decision was made when I was very young in the faith and I didn't want another thing to struggle with. I struggle with drinking too much soda because I am overweight. I think it's a personal decision and if you do it in the privacy of your home I don't have a problem with that. However, if you do it in front of your kids, it could be a stumbling block to them. That's not a hard and fast rule, but just something to consider. If I go to a barbeque with my teenage son, and he sees me having a beer, and it is not a problem for me, he may be emboldened to have a beer with his friends. The problem with that is that, maybe I can handle it, but knowing how poorly my son makes decisions in general, he certainly can't handle it. So I think if you drink in front of your kids, you have to educate them that this is something that is ok for you as a Christian adult who is led by the Spirit and that it is something that teenagers are probably not mature enough for now. This is not unique to alcohol. It would probably also apply to driving a Corvette.

I do think that we have a responsibility to be an example to our nation. In our culture, alcohol consumption to excess is prevalent and causes many problems for those who indulge. I am not talking about alcoholics. I am talking about people who get totally loaded from time to time. I trust that this does not include any of us. Anyway, when our friends get drunk, they expose themselves to many perils. I know a girl who recently had a baby out of wedlock. She told me that it was a result of getting drunk one night . So since being pregnant and now breast feeding, she has not been able to drink for about a year. The other day I heard her say that she can't wait until the time when she can drink again. She is not an alcoholic, but just someone who doesn't understand the dangers of getting drunk occassionally, even though she has already been burned.

So having said all that, I think a good question to ask those who drink is, what percent can honestly say that they drink but they never drink to excess. I think that is the biblical standard.

Anything in excess is bad for you. :)

Philip

I personally drink beer, but the non-alcoholic kind. Regarding this topic, I did a little online research on it and I am sure you won't be surprised that I found several comments on various "Christian" message boards heatedly condemning the use of alcoholic wine and beer. Some even claimed that the wine used "back in Bible days" was "more diluted" than the wine of today, even declaring that they had "actual proof" of this. It's really frustrating to me how so many Christians hold so tenaciously to legalistic, restrictive behaviors that have nothing at all to do with salvation or one's relationship with Christ. It's just yet another reason that some believers- like myself- often feel very alienated by many in the Body of Christ. I have just had way too much experiences with church folks who are never open to the possibility that perhaps their particular opinion on an issue- whether it concerns spiritual or political matters- could be wrong. They perceive any challenge to their viewpoint as "sinful", yet, it seems to me, that if they had any real confidence in what they think, they would be glad to back it up. I don't think I fit in very well in the "church culture," since I am not a "one view fits all" type of Christian! I wouldn't even tell most Christians I know about the fact that I drink NON-ALCOHOLIC beer,because they would probably get totally bent out of shape. One of the things I really like about your blog, Phil, is that you welcome open dialogue, which, unfortunantely, is rare in Christian circles. Keep up the good job and be blessed!

The constant need to prove ourselves comes out of broken/fractured understanding of our Heavenly Father's love for us. The Prodigal Son and The Older Brother are perfect examples of the Body Of Christ in regards to our relationship to our Heavenly Father. We fall in either category and we all need to know that our Father loves us regardless of what we do and it is from that place that we can begin to live our lives. Our lives are connected to Him, His love until we will understand Him we will just get worked up on the minor issues and minor on the majors. My days are getting numbered here on this blog as I am now working a film production and a new TV Talk Show at the same time!!!