Jaron's Journal
| March 17, 2010, 9:09 PM Weekly blog #4: Drinking |
| Alright, lot, I'm seriously going to try and make this a lot more weekly. I've got this scheduled into my iPod, so hopefully I won't forget from here on out.
As it's a busy day, according to my iPod (I have to workout, Blog, write, and work on music ((I don't think I have time for the last bit (((can we get three deep in parantheses? ((((I hope so)))) ))) )) ), I'm going to be short and write about something that annoys me within Christian subculture; namely, drinking alcohol. It seems to me that our culture as a whole seems to be very all-or-nothing. For instance: you're either a Republican or a Democrat; you're either over-eating or your dieting; you're nothing in between. This is especially true in regards to drinking. Either you don't touch one drop, or you're a drunkard. But there can be something in between, right? There's a wonderful concept, known as "temperance," which is basically the quality of "not doing something in excess". In the realm of drinking, this means having a drink now and then; but not getting addicted to the stuff. But as Christians, I feel we are almost superstitious when it comes to drinking. We fall on the "don't even touch the stuff" side of the fence. We feel that it isn't bad "technically," but we feel that we shouldn't--in case it causes anyone to stumble. And as such teach others that it's a very good idea to completely abstain from it as well and become tempted to look down on those who do drink. But in doing the latter, aren't we perpetuating a dichotomy that shouldn't exist in the first place? Treating drinking as "evil," and passing judgment on others (who don't necessarily do it in excess) who aren't technically doing wrong, might have just the effect we are hoping to avoid--creating unnecessary distance in our relationships with others and causing them to stumble (because they may not feel they are doing wrong; and they would be justified in thinking so if they weren't drinking in excess). So what am I saying? Well, abstain from alcohol if you feel it is necessary, but be careful in how you judge others of doing the same as it may be perceived as overly legalistic. And legalism, as I've seen, tends to scare non-christian's away. That's all :) I could speak more about this, but I must be getting to writing. Thoughts? |
Comment by Mike Klebolt on March 17, 2010, 9:52 PM Good Job! Well put my friend! |
Comment by Anthony on March 17, 2010, 10:38 PM Drinking Our master was called a drunkard because he came drinking. Nothing has changed in two millennia. |
Comment by Cheryl Price on March 18, 2010, 1:15 AM Drinking I heartily agree. I think you nailed it when you pointed at the "superstition" associated with drinking. If you have a problem with alcohol stay away from it. However, if you enjoy alcohol and you are a Christian, it can provide a unique opportunity. I had a neighbor that found me more approachable when she found out that I like wine. Until then she viewed me as a "church lady" and did not open up. No one wants to be around perfect people. |
Comment by The Man Under The Stairs on March 18, 2010, 7:25 AM A voice from the outer world From my non-believer, anti-religion point of view, this is a problem for all participants in organized religion; The game of deciding who holds more purity. And you are right this game does make the non-christian not want to participate. From what I know about your belief system, and from what I know about you personally, your god is not so small that you can fit him into a box. Or that he is so merciless that a beer, or glass of wine, or shot of tequila is going to get you lava-skiing behind an asbestos bottomed speed boat for all eternity. Grace gives way to freedom. But legalism trumps grace in many human minds. You causing others to stumble is not your problem. They have choice as well as you do. If they use the excuse that "I saw him drinking so, I got puke-faced drunk.", they are at fault, not you. You live your life, accept your choices, take responsibility for all their consequences which leads to having no regrets. If you live your beliefs alongside that then, you should have purity and grace in your life. By the way...Jesus says... GOOD JOB! |
Comment by Jaron Davis on March 18, 2010, 6:06 PM Wow, thanks! Wow, I've got comments! :) Thanks, Mike, I'm glad you agree! Anthony, that's a great point. And thinking of the cliched "What Would Jesus Do?" question in regards to drinking, Jesus might say, "Well, I'd share some with my good friends and those who I'm trying to reach." Cheryl, I couldn't agree more! It's a way to stand out and be different, and perhaps get people to ask questions as to why you might drink based on what you believe. And I think you can still be "perfect" (or "mature" in the Biblical sense) and drink; it's just not perceived as perfect culturally. On a side note, wine is good stuff :) And Ye-Who-Are-Under-The-Stairs (yes I know who you are!), I think, rather ironically, Jesus would have a problem with that game as well; which is (I think) at the crux of his message. And though I do worry about some things I might do that would cause others to stumble, I don't think drinking should be one of them. I feel I am partly responsible to others, but not ultimately (as you say). And GOOD JOB!!! (Good job, good job, good job, good job....) |
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