If you’re in the SBC, you don’t have the luxury of deciding.
This is old news by about two weeks, but the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution on “Alcohol Use in America”, effectively opposing anything related to alcohol “use”–manufacture, advertising, distribution or consumption. The topic has made great blog fodder, but 1) I haven’t read anything about it from the Blogging Chicks I’ve visited and 2) as a (very happy) member of a SBC church, I haven’t heard a word about it from members or leaders in our church. Nothing…notta.
The legalism of the resolution is what bothers me, I guess. It sooo reminds me of Derek Webb’s “A New Law” from his Mockingbird cd:
To transfer the essence of the resolution to other sins, for gluttony this would not mean dieting or restraint in eating, it would mean a permanent fast; for the sexually immoral, this would not mean restricting activity to your spouse, it would mean abstinence; for those prone to gossip, it would mean a vow of silence, not thinking before you speak and not repeating, well, gossip.
I think a few word changes would have made the resolution in keeping with scripture; as it stands, it seems contradictory. This is a comprehensive listing of references to alcohol found in the Bible. This is a pretty thorough analysis of them. I picked up the links from reader comments found SOMEWHERE…I read so many, I lost track.
Great conversation about the subject, and if you take time to click the links, don’t stop at the blogs–read the comments. As for me, I think I’d like to hang with Jesus at the dinner table. Locusts and honey don’t hold a candle to a fine pinot noir ;).
Tony (click his associated links, too), Justin, Steve, Greg, and one a bit different, Mike.
Cheers! (she says with a room temperature bottle of Aquafina in hand 😉
Very interesting topic. In fact, I sit here wondering how to respond. I guess coming from an alcoholic’s point of view, is it the fact that someone is forbidding it, that it bothers you? Or is it the wordage of how it is forbidden. And while I don’t feel that alcohol consumption is, by itself, a bad thing and should be done in moderation; I also feel that for the millions out there like me who can’t have just “one”, maybe a little religous guidance wouldn’t be so bad. Because for some, it takes having a higher authority (not God I am referring to, but religious leaders) tell them not to do something in order to regain their control.
Then again, this is really just my opinion isn’t it? 🙂
Found you via Blogging Chicks!!
I read your post earlier this week (I’m here from BChicks today) but I hadn’t heard about the decision. I’m from a Nazarene church, and our official stance is one of teetotaling as well, but I find that in individual lives, it really needs to be a personal thing.
Hadn’t heard about this. I’m not sure what to think. I don’t drink alcohol ever for any reason. So….
anyway;)
Visiting from the Blogging Chicks
Hi. Found you at Blogging Chicks.
I’m not of the Baptist denomination. I currently attend a Foursquare congregation, but no one is required to become a member.
I decided a long time ago that I didn’t want to affiliate myself solely with one denomination and like you, I see scripture talking about wine in a not so strict manner.
Occasionally my husband and I may have a glass of wine and we are fortunate that neither of us suffer from alcoholism.
My stance is that if one is struggling with alcohol (as with any other issue) that that person must deal with it accordingly, but for a denomination to forbid it is rather silly.
Hey Chicks…thanks for checkin’ in.
Queen Beth…wow…it never occurred when I wrote this, how someone recovering from addiction might feel about the subject. To answer your question in a nutshell, yes, my problem with the resolution (well, among several issues, beginning with their “need” to tell their constituents what to do…) is the word “use”. I think “overuse” or “abuse” would’ve been more appropriate if they were compelled to address the issue.
Jenlo and Malissa, always good to see ya here, and Tracey, welcome! Hope to see you again :).
It’s confirmed yet again…definitely hellbound!! hee hee hee
Shelly…you’re BAAA-CCCK! Miss you girlieQ, you looked beautiful today (musta been the sun & surf).
Haven’t I already had three strikes? 😀
aha it WAS you;)
I need to go on a fast from blogging.
or blog faster….
It is easy for people like me to not drink Don’t enjoy it, excaserbates my irritable bowel, prefer getting my calories from chocolate.
You are correct about those resolutions . . . . .
Love your neighbor as yourself. Share your wine.
If your neighbor is an alcoholc, drink water with him
Somehow I missed this conversation.
Guess I’m a bad SBC girl. It really bothers me the way they choose one sin. Hey, let’s ignore the pride. Yeah. And the anger. Yep, and don’t talk about those church picnics–how can we have a good ole Baptist carry in with fat free rice cakes and hummus?
The more legalistic things get, the more I back away.