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Is it a sin to drink beer?

Discussion in 'Polls Forum' started by SaggyWoman, Nov 10, 2008.

?
  1. Yes, it is okay to drink beer (under control.)

    29 vote(s)
    65.9%
  2. No, it is not okay to drink beer.

    3 vote(s)
    6.8%
  3. Other answer.

    12 vote(s)
    27.3%
  1. Gwen

    Gwen Active Member

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    For me, it would not be a wise choice.

    There was alcoholism on both (my hubby's and mine) sides of the family. We both grew up with no alcohol allowed in our home, and our churches' stance was to not drink because it's not wise. So I guess I'm saying that altho I don't think it's a sin, it would be offensive to my family. They consider it a BIG sin. So we choose not to drink alcohol in deference to them.
     
  2. menageriekeeper

    menageriekeeper Active Member

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    WHY anyone would want to drink something that looks and smells like, well like what beer looks and smells like is beyond me.

    Then again, I don't slurp down nasty raw oysters nor boiled okra, soooo my food issues might be getting in the way of an unbiased opinion.

    However, I am of the opinion that rbell has the right thought on the matter and daresay that this dead horse has been beaten quite well. :D
     
  3. Baptist Believer

    Baptist Believer Well-Known Member
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    I've been following this thread and thinking about some of the arguments presented...

    In all sincerely, I think most, if not all of these arguments have merit, and some have been especially well-presented and thoughtful. However, sometimes it helps us think about things when we shift the topic and see how the argument holds up when we consider it in light of another controversial activity.

    In this instance, I have selected gun ownership and use as the other controversial activity. (I have friends, family members, and co-workers who are rabidly anti-gun, so this is not a merely hypothetical.)

    I have selected three thoughtful arguments from this thread, all of which have merit. Let me know what you think:

    Thoughtful Response #1

    A sin? I don't know...but for me, it is not wise to shoot a gun at all:
    • The small potential upside (enjoying hunting or target shooting) with the large potential downside (risk of killing or injuring someone).
    o If I were to shoot a gun, I could lose my job, and put my family at risk. Too high a risk to shoot a gun.
    o If I were to get careless with a gun, I could do things that damage my ministry and witness. Why risk it?
    • There has been a misuse of guns in my family background. If there is any sort of genetic basis, why risk it?
    • I tell my students not to shoot a gun...and then I do? I see that as hypocritical. I'd rather lead by example.
    Owning and shooting guns offends quite a few Christians I work with, and minister to. I'll take the "Paul and meat" example here, and give up my liberty for the sake of the Gospel.
    • Simply, I don't need to shoot a gun. There's other options that have no downside that meets my needs.
    Wisdom, IMO, is asking God to help me look "down the path" and determine if long-term outcomes honor Him or not. There are too many paths that are problematic for me. I'll pass.

    So...is it sinful? Unsure. Is it wise? Not for me, it ain't.

    ---

    Thoughtful Response #2

    I can't answer for SBCPreacher, but I do know that here where I live if an unbeleiver sees you out with a gun(they have no idea how many you have or if you will exercise gun safety, so it only takes one accident, they will say soemthing like, they go to church and look at them, they aren't any more christian then I am, they shoot guns and tell the rest of us we're going to hell. To the unbeliever it has nothing to do with salvation, Christ, a relationship, or the freedoms we argue here. But they see you shoot a gun and you no longer have a christian witness to them, they will never be interested in anything christian you say again.
    Now there may be cultures where this does not take place, but it does here, it means something anti christian here when an unbeleiver sees you shoot a gun or knows you do.

    ---

    Thoughtful Response #3

    For me, it would not be a wise choice.

    There was misuse of guns on both (my hubby's and mine) sides of the family. We both grew up with no guns allowed in our home, and our churches' stance was to not own or shoot guns because it's not wise. So I guess I'm saying that altho I don't think it's a sin, it would be offensive to my family. They consider it a BIG sin. So we choose not to own or shoot guns in deference to them.
     
    #23 Baptist Believer, Nov 10, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2008
  4. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    No more alcohol threads!
    [​IMG]



    Ok. I feel better now. :laugh:
     
  5. mcdirector

    mcdirector Active Member

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    I was looking for that horsey when my son came home ;)

    Then the other one called and said he was running for president in 2016!
     
  6. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    One difference b/t guns & alcohol:

    Guns don't chemically alter one's moods, behavior, and self-control.
     
  7. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Depends what part of the country you live in ;)
     
  8. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    The bible does not address gun ownership, but it does address the use of alcohol.
     
  9. doug_mmm

    doug_mmm New Member

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    Dont think it's a sin just be careful about how much and what you're doing.
     
  10. FriendofSpurgeon

    FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known Member
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    Thanks for your answer.
     
  11. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    Water?!? Yuck!!
     
  12. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    Under those conditions, beer would do the opposite of hydrating, not only is there more salt in beer that can be processed with the water the beer provides, but the alcoholic effect would be tenfold, and you would soon lose your mind. Certain death would be the only result. Suicide is forbidden in any form, in scripture.
     
  13. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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  14. Baptist Believer

    Baptist Believer Well-Known Member
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  15. FriendofSpurgeon

    FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known Member
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  16. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    I like that smilie.
     
  17. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I suppose one could drink too much sugar-free root beer!

    I promise to limit my daily intake!

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  18. Matt Black

    Matt Black Well-Known Member
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    Great answer:applause:

    This issue does IME depend on the 'Christian cultural context' if that makes sense eg: it's not really an issue for Christians in England, France, Spain and Italy, but tends to be more of an issue in Scotland and Ireland (the so-called 'Celtic fringe'); ISTM that the division is based rather crudely on the type of alcohol typically consumed and the resulting historic 'drinking culture' - Scotland and Ireland tend to be spirit-based with an attendant tendency to 'drink to get drunk' whereas the other countries tend to be wine and beer consumers with more of an emphasis on social and meal-based drinking (although England has regrettably changed for the worse in that regard in recent years).

    For me, it is not a sin to drink beer, if by 'beer' one means real ale, bitter or stout. I do however regard it as a grave sin to drink lager...!

    [ETA - can I in fact thank everyone for the thoughtful responses thus far, and the way in particular we have managed to avoid flaming each other and doubting each others' salvation...almost as refreshing as a pint!]
     
    #38 Matt Black, Nov 13, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 13, 2008
  19. billreber

    billreber New Member

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    First, I have not read the entire thread, so if I repeat what someone else has already said, I apologize.

    Second, I marked "Other" because I believe the Bible ALLOWS drinking of alcoholic beverages. (Paul even instructed Timothy to drink some wine for his health!) Therefore, it is not (by definition) a sin to drink beer. The sin enters in when one abuses the ability to drink, becomes drunk, etc.

    I am one who cannot control himself when I take one alcoholic drink. If I take one, I might as well drink the entire bar (or bottle, or ?). Therefore, I do not start! FOR ME, it is a sin to drink alcoholic beverages of any kind. For others, that may not be so.

    May God guide each person in the determination of what is a sin to that person! May God also guide that person to avoid any sin God reveals to him or her!!

    Bill :godisgood:
     
  20. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Bill, Good on you, mate, for recognizing your weakness, and adopting your stength, through God, to refrain. God bless you and give you continued strength.

    Cheers, and bless,

    Jim
     
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