we can WHAT?!?!?!

[FunkerVGirl]

I went onto a christian site and I went to read on what the bible says about drinking beer and apparently we can, but not get drunk.

I was shocked to hear this because I was always taught not to do that. Although i read this, it still doesnt change the fact that I wont ever drink. I'm too scared that I will start off with a little and later on it will escalate until I'm getting drunk all the time!!

What do you guys think of this?

[Heart of Sword]

Back then, wine was probably not as alcoholic as wine today. I'd never drink because it's too risky...guess it's your decision.

[Swordguy]

i don't know i don't think i will ever drink i don't want to even risk it. But i did know that you were aloud to just not get drunk.

[Yojimbo]

Of course we can drink (if you're legal of course) there is nothing wrong inherently with that. It's drinking excessively to the point of being intoxicated that is morally wrong.

Actually I think if anything wine had a much higher alcohol content than it does now.

[Golden_Griff]

Yeah, wine is fine but drunk is junk (sorry I tried to make it sound like a cool rhyme)

Drinking alcohol is not a sin itself, it's when you get drunk when it becomes a problem.

And since I don't know what my limit or tolerance is, I choose not to drink anyway.

[cbwing0]

According to the Bible, it is permissible to drink, as long as you don't get drunk; however, there are a few important differences in the way alcohol is comsumed today that make it less advisable to do so.

For hundreds of years, there was no reliable way to purify water, or test it for chemicals/pathogens. This meant that people were not as free to drink water. The only real alternative was alcoholic beverages, which were safer to drink. Even children were allowed to drink, purely for their health. Drinks such as coffee and tea were also not as widely available as they are today.

In contrast, we now have safe drinking water, as well as a wide variety of nonalcoholic beverages (soda, fruit juice, sports drinks, etc.), making alcohol a less obvious choice, especially for children.

Another important difference is the environment in which most alcohol is now consumed. When you are young, the only way to obtain alcohol is at illegal parties, where the sole purpose of drinking is getting drunk with friends. This holds true through college and even into adult life, since the bad habits of youth often carry over into adulthood. Such an environment is not conducive to "social" and/or moderate drinking.

If you really want to drink, the best way would probably be among Christian friends, who understand the principles of moderation, discipline, and temperance. In such an environment, you could safetly drink without having to worry about getting drunk, or suffering the negative consequences of intentionally impairing your own judgment.

In case you're interested, I do not drink, and even when I am of legal age, I don't plan to do it on anything like a regular basis, if at all.

[Gypsy]

There's going to be many veiws and opinions on this subject, so I'll thank everyone in advance for respecting one another and not turning this into debate.

That being said, I also choose not to drink. While my parents never touch alcohol, there's a history on both sides of my family of drinking problems. Besides, I can't stand the smell of the stuff anyway. Bad memories of catering at roudy weddings and getting drenched with cheap booze by sloshed guests ...

[FunkerVGirl]

thanks guys, i really was confused when i heard this. Now its clear to me what its all about.

I still choose not to drink, its too risky for me.

[CDLviking]

Back then, wine was probably not as alcoholic as wine today. I'd never drink because it's too risky...guess it's your decision.

Wine was actually much more alcoholic, but it was often cut with water.

I do drink, but I never have more than one drink. Also, most alcoholic beverages aren't very good anyway, there are very few that I'll drink.

[ShiroiHikari]

yeah, I've tried a few alcoholic drinks and there's only one that I've liked so far. I don't drink the stuff because it tastes bad, but that's me. if other people want to drink a bit now and then, I'm okay with that.

[FunkerVGirl]

oooooooo!!! gettting off subject, Hiroi who is that GUY in that avatar of yours?!?!

hehe

[Grumpy]

They used wine for stomach pains also. This does not need to be used today for that reason because we have the pink stuff.

It has been theorized that wine was not even like the wine we have today. It just fruit juice but it was not fermented.

They diluted the wine with the partial clean water so they would not get drunk. To give the somewhat nasty tasting water some taste.

The bible does not give you a get out a free jail card with sin. They are no scripture in the bible that lets you do what you want and how you want to do it.

[Banana-chan]

no matter what age try not to get drunk or else you might do something embarrassing and your parents wont trust you to go to those parties and be responsible for your actions. Just advice DONT (i repeat) DONT GET DRUNK at any cost lol
k
bai

[Technomancer]

Personally, I like wine and other drinks and enjoy them in moderation. There's nothing wrong with that as long as one doesn't drink excessively. I also think that some North American attitudes towards alcohol are unhealthy. By keeping alcohol as some sort of taboo substance, and placing an aura of mystery and general naughtiness around it, I think we indelibly associate it with drunkenness and rowdiness. It becomes a symbol of freedom and uninhibiteness to some people who come from repressive backgrounds.

A better way, I think is to introduce wine to people at a younger age, through formal dinners at home (Christmas, Easter, or other family gatherings). This is legal (at least in most places), and builds different attitutes towards alcohol, since it demystifies it.

With regards to the history of wine, it was most definately alcoholic (one can see many ancient writers including scriptural discuss this). In fact, there was no way to keep fruit juices from fermenting, given the lack of refrigiration or preservatives. As an aside, Hugh Johnson's book "Vintage: The Story of Wine" is an excellent read, and a well-presented history.

[ShiroiHikari]

I also think that some North American attitudes towards alcohol are unhealthy. By keeping alcohol as some sort of taboo substance, and placing an aura of mystery and general naughtiness around it, I think we indelibly associate it with drunkenness and rowdiness. It becomes a symbol of freedom and uninhibiteness to some people who come from repressive backgrounds.

good point.

[Fsiphskilm]

Of course Wine and alcohol

[Uriah]

Drinking isnt a good idea, but it isnt wrong as long as you keep it moderate. The only problem, most people can't do that.

[Technomancer]

But beer used for passing time is just nasty. Budwiser, bush all that stuff is just Barf quality.

Yeah, but those are American beers (sorry, but most beer drinkers I know are more likely to use them as a punchline than a beverage).

[Hitokiri]

I see nother wrong ind rinking if you can moderate yourself an dnot get drunk.

I will us emy dad as reference (my dad is one of my role models). He'll drink a few bears at like a get together but not to th epoint of drunkeness or just to get a buzz. And he always has my mom drive us home cause she doesn't drink.

And when he's at home he'll have 1-3 as he watches the news. Note not to th epoint of getting drunk. I see nothing wrong in that. He's a Godly man, a Deacon at our church. he just likes to drink beer but he does that moderately.

As for me I'm 19 but when i turn 21 I won't drink just for the purpose to get drunk but I might have a beer at a get together with family.

I've only had a alcoholic drink once and it was at my best friends wedding and I just had a glass of champaigne. But I didnt drink alot of it cause I knew of what it could do to me so I had a glass and said I'm done.

I can honestly enjoy myself with getting drunk and that goes the same with drugs.

[Heart of Sword]

Yeah, always drink moderately.

Like in Rurouni Kenshin. Kaoru getting angry and drinking too much, then getting totally stupid and hysterical and making an idiot out of herself should be a lesson for everyone.

[cbwing0]

Of course Wine and alcohole are okay. Especially Wine! It helps ya live longer. I drink some occasionally. I think it's nasty so I only drink like a sip... just for the sake of tasting it.

Of course, you can get all of the same benefits with a nonalcoholic glass of ordinary grape juice .

[Ingemar]

I do drink, but I never have more than one drink. Also, most alcoholic beverages aren't very good anyway, there are very few that I'll drink.

I agree--you may laugh, but the only alcohol I can tolerate is Manischewitz wine or sacramental wine (I did this in Canada, where I was of age)

[Aka-chan]

Another thing to consider is how it affects others. Even if you aren’t in danger of going overboard, you also need to watch out for your “weaker brotherâ€

[Raskle]

hmm... my view on it: yes, it's alright to drink alcohol (at legal age, or in communion) but not to get drunk. It's also just best not to drink with people other than someone you're married to. If I ever decide to do so myself, I wouldn't outside my own home--partially to not be a stumbling block to others who may have a problem with consumption of alcohol.

[Raskle]

ha ha-- I only read the 1st pg. before I posted. funny/cool, Aka-chan said the same thing.

[EireWolf]

[quote="Aka-chan"]Another thing to consider is how it affects others. Even if you aren’t in danger of going overboard, you also need to watch out for your “weaker brotherâ€

[Fsiphskilm]

[quote="cbwing0"]Of course, yo

[EireWolf]

Volt, I think that was probably a typo. I think Hitokiri meant to say, "I can't honestly enjoy myself with getting drunk and that goes the same with drugs." But I'm only guessing; he'll have to speak for himself.

[cbwing0]

Sadly you can't. Fermented wine releases certain qualities that aren't extractable and arn't imitatable. But recently A Christian actually has found a method to exract these and put them into tablet form. So they should be comming out soon.

You might want to read this: http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/alternative/03/31/wine.heart.wmd/

To summarize, grape juice is better in some ways, and slightly worse in others (in terms of health benefits).

[Straylight]

Good points made so far, I have one thing to add...

European beer =
American beer =

(Sorry)